General Description:

Height-28-36 inches (70-90kg)
Weight-77-143lbs (35-65kg)
Length-4ft (body), 30in (tail)
Coat is a yellow with black spots.
Long slender body built for speed not stamina.


Habitat:

Southern Africa
Serengeti Plains of Africa
Limited in Iran and Middle East

Prefer fields with long grass for cryptic covering
Open plains with large herds of prey

Social Spacing:

Females: Solitary, coming together with other cheetahs only to mate
Raise cubs alone
Large home ranges (up to 1300km^2). Home range may cover
three to four male territories

Males: coalitions defend territories (300-400km^2)
Coalitions made of brothers
Each territory contains a "birthing rock" which the males defend to provide a den for the females
Some males are nomadic and live a solitary life (usually single
siblings)

Predation

Main predation comes from lions and Hyenas
Lions attack den of female cheetah to eat new born cubs
Hyenas steal kills from cheetahs
Cheetahs are small and can not fight back against the bigger and stronger cats and hyenas

Social Relationships

Overlap promiscuity:
Female's are solitary and have large home ranges, overlapping the territories of the male coalitions.
Only females care for the cubs; therefore, no bond must be made between the male and female.
Female movement is not predictable
Cubs stay in the care of the mother for 14-18 months.

Kin Selection:
Occurs only in the male cheetah.
Brothers stay together to gain access to a territory
Need relationship to survive and beat out other males for land and potential mates