I t is a cardinal rule of nature: you do not under any circumstances come between a mother and her offspring – unless you want your head taken off. From elephants to crocodiles, from eagles to spiders, these moms ensure the safety of their brood, ready to fight to the death if necessary. In many cases, they have a hard time because roving males who are not the fathers of their current brood, will search out and kill the young so that they can have their own progeny by the bereaved mother. Sensitive dudes, aren’t they? Tiger moms will resort to subterfuge , cunningly leading on the panting suitor away from her cubs, or let him seduce her, or simply fight ferociously while signalling her cubs to vanish. And yes, they do love their cubs, judging by the loving way they groom them and play with them and the distress they display when a litter is destroyed by a marauder.…