The new cheetahs already know how to mug for paparazzi (Photo courtesy of the National Zoo)

They’re here! The National Zoo announced Friday that cheetahs Erin and Rico have welcomed a litter of seven cubs at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. Mom and all seven cubs are doing well, reps said, following the birth on July 9.

Following the tradition of so many star babies before them, the cubs made their Instagram debut on Monday.

“It is really exciting to have such a large and healthy litter of cubs, especially from first-time parents,” said a source close to the new mom cheetah biologist Adrienne Crosier in a statement. “A global self-sustaining cheetah population in human care is becoming even more important with the continued decrease of animal numbers in the wild.”

Before she shows off her post-baby bod, Erin is staying close to the babies. Until keepers can get close enough to do full medical examinations, the cubs will be monitored with cameras and visual checkups.

The cheetahs’ births are especially important to the population of cheetahs in North America, as Erin’s genes are particularly rare among the species, according to SCBI. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists cheetahs as a vulnerable species, with only about 7,000 in the wild.

The new cubs are the first for both Erin and Rico, and the 12th litter born at the SCBI since 2010. Previous cheetah cubs in D.C. have been photographed looking cute and adorable, and the new litter is expected to follow in their footsteps. These cubs are expected to be distributed to other zoos when they’re older: No word yet if that includes the National Zoo in D.C., or if the babies will be named via an online contest.

Congratulations to the new parents!