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Social Organization

Female cheetahs leave their natal group and become solitary adults when they reach sexual maturity. Males also leave their natal group shortly after reaching sexual maturity, but they remain in a kingroup with other brothers through adulthood. Coalitions of adult males can also be formed by unrelated males, or a singleton can join a group of brothers. Aggression between members of coalitions is rare, even in groups of unrelated males. The only aggression between group members occurs around females, or small-sized kills, but this aggression is mild and does not lead to injury (Caro 1994).

Coalition size is normally two to four males, and there is no reported hierarchy within these groups (Caro 1994). Members of coalitions form close lifelong bonds, and maintain these bonds through grooming and rubbing.

Social Spacing

Female cheetahs range over extremely large home ranges, up to 800 square kilometers, in search of prey. Due to the migratory nature and uneven distribution of many species of cheetah prey, females are forced to follow the herds in search of food. These home ranges overlap many territories of male cheetahs. Males defend areas of about 30 square kilometers against other males. They scent mark their territories with urine, usually on natural landmarks such as trees and rocks. On average, males will hold a territory for 10 to 20 months. Coalitions of males do not seem to acquire larger territories, but it has been reported that they retain territories for slightly longer than territorial solitary males. Territorial males have an advantage in fights and are more likely to occupy a territory than solitary males. Competition between territories is intense, and can lead to death. Active territories are centered in areas that females visited in large numbers (Caro 1994).

Picture Courtesy Mkmsweet. Permission Requested.

Why groups?

Coalitions of cheetahs have a competitive advantage in defending territories from smaller groups or solitary males. Groups do not necessarily experience better hunting success than singletons, but do hunt larger prey. While some groups hold territories for slightly longer than solitary males, the ability to acquire territories seems to be the principle benefit of grouping in males. Ultimately, territorial males experience greater mating success.