This limits their tree-climbing ability but gives them a speed advantage when charging. Unlike lions and leopards, cheetah don't define a territory to defend. They have a home range which they mark with urine, but will not actively fight off other cheetahs.
Socially, cheetahs are somewhere on the scale between lions and leopards. They do not form prides as lions do but small groups of between four and six cheetahs can be common, particularly groupings of brothers. The combination of poaching, habitat encroachment so that cheetahs are competing with stronger predators for less prey in a smaller geographic range than ever before , and extermination by ranchers are overwhelming the ability of the species to adapt and survive.
In Namibia, conservationists are working hand-in-hand with local farmers to show them how they can peacefully coexist with cheetahs. Rather than shooting cheetahs, farmers are relying increasingly on guard dogs and even guard donkeys to protect their livestock. Zoos are also an important link to saving the cheetah. North American zoos that have cheetahs, including The Maryland Zoo, work cooperatively on research, conservation and education for the welfare of the cheetah.
Educating people is critical. If local people in Africa come to see the cheetah as an asset in terms of promoting ecotourism, they will move forward into the next generation eager to save this magnificent cat and safeguard its future. You can make a difference for the cheetah. By supporting the Maryland Zoo, you support everything that we as an institution do, including research, conservation and education efforts on behalf of the cheetah.
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Maryland Zoo Logo Menu. Join Donate Shop. Buy Tickets Directions Zoo Map. Meet Davis. To All Animals acinonyx jubatus Cheetah The cheetah is the fastest mammal on earth. Everything about it is built for speed. However farm land can often form part of their territory and because they are active during the day they are often seen on farmer's land, putting them in danger of being shot, trapped or poisoned.
Diet and Hunting Techniques. At birth, the cubs weigh 8. Their mother will groom them patiently, purring quietly and providing them warmth and security. After a day or so, the mother will leave the cubs to hunt for herself, so she can continue to care for the cubs.
This is the most vulnerable time for the cubs, as they are left unprotected. They will live in a secluded nest until they are about six to eight weeks old, being regularly moved by their mother from nest to nest to avoid detection by predators.
The mother will care for her cubs on her own for the next year and a half. The cubs begin following their mother on her daily travels as she is looking for prey. During these first few months she cannot move far or fast and cub mortality is highest.
Fewer than one in 10 cubs will survive during this time, as they perish from predation by other large predators such as lions and hyenas, or from injuries. This is the time when life skills are taught. Cheetah cubs have a thick silvery-grey mantle down their back. The mantle helps camouflage the cubs by imitating the look of an aggressive animal called a honey badger.
This mimicry may help deter predators such as lions, hyenas, and eagles from attempting to kill them. Cubs lose their mantle at about three months of age. Cheetah cubs are very active and playful. Trees provide good observation points and allow for development of skills in balancing. Learning to hunt is the most critical survival skill that the cubs will develop.
At one year of age, cheetah cubs participate in hunts with their mother. The mother and cubs will finally separate.
Although not fully adept at hunting on their own, independent male and female cubs will stick together for a few more months to master their hunting skills.
When the adolescent females begin cycling, dominant males will court them and drive their brothers away. As the female siblings become sexually mature they will split from the group to lead a largely independent life. Male siblings remain together for the rest of their lives, forming a group known as a coalition.
Coalitions increase hunting success and act as a defense against other predators. When the split from sisters occurs, the males will roam until they can find and defend a territory. This process can take a few years and males may travel hundreds of miles, being moved out of one area to another, pushed on by more experienced male coalitions.
Eventually, the group will find a place where they can settle. Cheetahs that become orphaned at a young age, and are brought into a rehabilitation situation, can be paired with non-related individuals to form a coalition. When these cheetahs are released back into the wild, the created coalitions will often remain intact throughout the life of the individuals. Females lead solitary lives unless they are accompanied by their cubs.
Female cheetah home ranges depend on the distribution of prey. If prey is roaming and widespread, females will have larger ranges.
Estrus in female cheetahs is not predictable or regular. This is one of the reasons why it is difficult to breed cheetahs in captivity. Mating receptivity depends on environmental factors that, researchers have found, are triggered by the proximity of males and their scent markings.
Estrus lasts up to 14 days and females will mate with multiple males during this time period. Male cheetahs that encounter a female cheetah in estrus will stay with her and mate up to three days and at intervals throughout the day.
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