Cheetahs are remarkable big cats, known for their incredible speed and agility on the savanna. Despite being the fastest land animals, cheetahs are not considered apex predators in their ecosystems. They face significant threats from other animals that prey on them.
Predators of Adult Cheetahs
Adult cheetahs contend with larger, more powerful carnivores. Lions, the largest African predators, pose a considerable threat, often killing cheetahs to eliminate competition for resources rather than for food. Lions hunt in groups, and their sheer strength and size, with males weighing up to 550 pounds compared to a cheetah’s 100-145 pounds, make them formidable adversaries.
Spotted hyenas are significant predators of adult cheetahs. These opportunistic carnivores have a powerful bite force and often hunt in packs. They frequently steal kills, a behavior known as kleptoparasitism, and attack cheetahs if given the opportunity. Leopards, though smaller than lions, are strong and stealthy hunters. They may prey on adult cheetahs, though this is less common, often due to territorial disputes or competition over prey.
Vulnerability of Cheetah Cubs
Cheetah cubs experience a high mortality rate, with up to 90% not surviving to adulthood due to predation. Lions, hyenas, and leopards are major threats to cubs, alongside other opportunistic predators such as wild dogs, baboons, and large birds of prey like martial eagles.
Cubs are particularly vulnerable due to their small size and helplessness at birth; they are born blind and defenseless. The mother cheetah must leave her cubs hidden in secluded locations, such as dense bushes or tall grasses, while she hunts for food. This necessary absence leaves the young exposed and susceptible to discovery by predators.
Why Cheetahs Are Prey
Several characteristics contribute to the cheetah’s vulnerability to predation, despite its speed. The cheetah’s physical build is specialized for explosive speed, with a lightweight, slender body, long legs, and a flexible spine. This adaptation for rapid acceleration sacrifices brute strength and a robust build, making them less equipped for physical confrontation with larger predators.
Cheetahs are largely solitary, with females raising cubs alone, limiting their ability to defend themselves or kills against group-hunting predators like lions and hyenas. Their high-speed hunting expends immense energy, requiring up to 30 minutes recovery after a kill. During this vulnerable time, they are susceptible to having their prey stolen by stronger animals, often choosing to abandon their kill rather than risking injury in a fight.