Cheetahs are one of the most majestic yet mysterious big cats on the planet. With their spotted coats and incredible speed, they captivate people all over the world. But one question many have is – are cheetahs friendly?
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at cheetah behavior to find the answer.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Wild cheetahs generally avoid humans, so in most cases they cannot be considered friendly. However, there are examples of cheetahs in captivity forming bonds with and showing affection toward their human caretakers.
Cheetah Behavior in the Wild
Avoidance of Humans
In their natural habitat, cheetahs tend to avoid humans. These sleek felines usually perceive humans as potential threats, so they keep their distance. According to a recent study published on National Geographic, radio-collared cheetahs in Namibia moved an average of 1,300 feet away when groups of tourists approached.
Additionally, cheetahs rested for shorter periods when tourists were present within a half-mile radius of the cats.
Conservationists hypothesize that the presence of humans raises cheetahs’ stress levels. When cheetahs feel threatened, their bodies go into “fight-or-flight” mode, which diverts energy away from essential activities like hunting and parenting cubs.
Over time, interactions with tourists may have detrimental impacts on wild cheetah populations if they significantly disrupt natural behaviors.
Interactions with Other Animals
In contrast to their avoidance of humans, wild cheetahs interact with a variety of animal species. Adult males are solitary and only socialize with females for mating purposes. On the other hand, adult females raising cubs live alone or in small groups called coalitions.
Cheetah cubs, though usually shy, will sometimes approach other wildlife out of curiosity.
According to research from the Cheetah Conservation Fund, cheetahs dominate smaller prey like hares and gazelles, but they face threats from larger carnivores like lions and hyenas. In fact, lions and hyenas steal around 37% of adult cheetah kills.
Cheetahs typically surrender their prey rather than risk getting injured in conflicts over food. Even mother cheetahs with young cubs will abandon a fresh kill if a lion or hyena claims it.
Species | Typical Interactions with Cheetahs |
---|---|
Lions | Steal cheetah kills, sometimes kill cheetah cubs |
Spotted hyenas | Steal cheetah kills, mob and kill injured/weak adult cheetahs |
Leopards | Compete for prey, kill vulnerable cheetah cubs |
African wild dogs | May temporarily join cheetahs in coalitions, unlikely to fight over kills |
Cheetahs in Captivity
Bonding with Humans
Cheetahs can form close bonds with humans when raised in captivity. Many zoos and wildlife parks hand-raise cheetah cubs to make them comfortable around people. This process, called imprinting, allows cheetahs to be handled for medical exams and educational programs.
Imprinted cheetahs may view their human caretakers as parental figures. They often crave affection and enjoy interactions like petting, belly rubs, and play. Some imprinted cheetahs even purr loudly when petted, similar to domestic cats.
However, imprinting does not “tame” cheetahs or make them suitable pets. They are still wild animals capable of seriously injuring humans. Imprinted cheetahs may feel stressed or act defensively if handled by strangers.
Zoos use imprinting judiciously, providing cheetahs the minimum human contact needed for health and welfare. This minimizes over-attachment to people while allowing essential handling.
Personality Differences
Like other animals, individual cheetahs have distinct personalities. Typically, female cheetahs are more cautious and reserved around humans than males. Some cheetahs are remarkably calm, tolerating exams and interactions without fuss.
Others seem shy, skittish, or prone to hissing and swiping if annoyed. Young cubs tend to be quite playful and may treat hands or shoelaces as toys during interactions.
A cheetah’s personality results from both natural temperament and early life experiences. Cubs separated from mothers very young often become more clingy and dependent on humans for security. Trauma like illness or harsh handling can make some cheetahs anxious.
Genetics influence things like activity level, curiosity, and food motivation. Understanding each cheetah’s unique personality helps zoo staff provide appropriate handling to meet their needs.
Cheetah Personality Traits | Effects on Captive Care |
---|---|
Confident | Tolerates public viewing, programs |
Shy | May need sheltered housing |
Curious | Enjoys new enrichment items |
Skittish | Startles easily so needs calm handling |
Playful | Appreciates interactive toys/games |
Attempts at Taming Cheetahs
Historic Attempts
Throughout history, humans have attempted to tame cheetahs due to their incredible speed and hunting abilities. Ancient Egyptians were the first to try keeping cheetahs as pets over 5,000 years ago. Cheetah cubs would be taken from the wild and raised in captivity.
Pharaohs kept cheetahs to use for hunting gazelles. However, even when raised by humans from a young age, cheetahs never became truly domesticated.
During the Middle Ages, royalty in Europe and Asia continued attempting to train cheetahs. Mughal rulers in India used cheetahs to hunt blackbuck and deer. Emperor Jahangir recorded having 1,000 cheetahs at one time for hunting.
Cheetahs can be taught to sit on hunting seats behind a horseman until prey is sighted. Then they are released to chase after the animal using their incredible acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 3 seconds.
While cheetahs can be tamed to an extent, they have never been successfully bred for domestic qualities over multiple generations like cats or dogs. Even captive-bred cheetahs today retain most of their wild instincts.
Attempts to breed cheetahs in captivity have met with little success over the past century. Less than 7% of captive cheetahs reproduce, according to the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
Modern Science
Recent advances are providing new insights into cheetah behavior and biology. Scientists have sequenced the cheetah genome and identified genetic factors that may account for the difficulty in breeding them in captivity.
Ongoing research at breeding centers is focused on better meeting the unique physiological and environmental needs of cheetahs.
A study in 2015 found evidence that stress from human interaction, confinement, and loud noises may prevent female cheetahs from cycling normally and ovulating. Facilities involved in captive breeding have since incorporated more visual barriers in enclosures along with play objects and increased space to climb/run.
Additionally, conservation centers have started training captive cheetahs to be ambassadors. Well-behaved cheetahs make awesome wildlife ambassadors! They are trained to comfortably interact with crowds of people through scent, touch and play.
Not only does this enrich their lives, but it educates the public to hopefully garner support for continued conservation in the wild where cheetah populations have declined dramatically to only around 7,000.
Safety Precautions Around Cheetahs
Warning Signs
Cheetahs may be beautiful cats, but they are still wild animals that can be dangerous. Here are some warning signs to watch out for when around cheetahs:
- Hissing or growling – Like other big cats, cheetahs will hiss or growl when feeling threatened. This is a clear signal to back away.
- Ears back – If a cheetah pins its ears back flat against its head, it is feeling agitated and you should give it space.
- Showing teeth – A cheetah exposing its teeth is a warning sign it may attack. Slowly create distance between you and the cheetah.
- Swishing tail – A swishing tail indicates a cheetah is agitated. Give it a wide berth.
- Staring – A staring cheetah is sizing you up. Maintain eye contact but slowly move away.
- Crouching – A crouching cheetah is readying to spring. This is a critical warning sign to leave the area.
Being attentive and respecting these warning signs is key to staying safe around cheetahs. Remember they are powerful hunters and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3 seconds!
Recommended Practices
When encountering cheetahs in the wild or in captivity, some basic precautions can help prevent dangerous situations:
- Keep your distance – Give wild cheetahs at least 30 yards of space. Even in captivity stay several feet back from a cheetah.
- Don’t run – Never run away from a cheetah as you may trigger its instinct to chase. Back away slowly and cautiously.
- Avoid direct eye contact – Brief eye contact is fine but staring directly at a cheetah can be seen as aggressive. Look towards them occasionally as you back away.
- Don’t turn your back – Always face a cheetah as you create distance. Turning your back could provoke an attack.
- Travel in groups – Cheetahs are less likely to approach larger groups of humans.
- Watch for cubs – Mother cheetahs will ferociously defend their cubs. Give a wide berth if cubs are present.
- Never feed – Feeding cheetahs can lessen their natural wariness of humans and increase dangerous interactions.
By being alert and smart around cheetahs, you can admire these amazing cats from a safe distance. Use good judgment if you encounter them in the wild and follow staff instructions closely when observing captive cheetahs at a zoo, sanctuary or reserve.
Conclusion
To summarize, wild cheetahs generally avoid contact with humans whenever possible. However, there are many accounts of captive cheetahs forming close bonds with their human caretakers. While taming a cheetah presents challenges, some individuals can be trained.
When encountering cheetahs, whether in the wild or captivity, proper safety precautions should always be taken.