![]() Dense vegetation reduces kleptoparasitism because cheetahs are less conspicuous when capturing prey and have less difficulty concealing their prey while eating, increasing their dwell timeĭespite their speed and talent for hunting, cheetahs outnumber other large predators over most of their range. About 73% of cheetah cubs fail to achieve independence due to mortality caused by predators: incidents caused by lions and about 12% by hyenasĬheetahs rarely defend their prey against kleptoparasites and up to 78% of stolen victims may be taken by hyenas and 15% by lions. Cheetahs also spatially avoid other predators as these tend to negatively affect their viability due to high cub predation and kleptoparasitism. Lions and hyenas tend to hunt and feed at night, so cheetahs are daytime hunters to reduce interspecific competition for similar food sources. Some of these parasites normally are associated with the prey of Cheetahs, which presumably become infected while feeding P., nine protozoa (including Hepatazoon sp., and Theileria-like piroplasms), 14 nematodes, four cestodes (including three species of Taenia), one trematode ( Pharyngostomum cordatum), 21 ticks, two mites which cause sarcoptic mange, four flies (among which, lesions caused by Stomoxys calcitrans have been seen on the ears of Cheetahs at breeding centers in South Africa), four fleas and two lice ( Damalinia elongata, usually associated with Impalas, and Felicola sp.). provided a detailed review of parasites recovered from both wild and captive Cheetahs at the time, including one rickettsia, seen in blood smears from an animal in Nairobi N. ![]() Stress, as measured by elevated corticosteroid concentrations, and perhaps diet and low genetic variability, are both thought to be responsible for the prevalence of degenerative disease in captive animals raising conservation and ethical concerns about keeping Cheetahs in captivity. Other diseases recorded in captivity include parvovirus, spongiform encephalopathy, dermatitis, leukoencephalopathy and hindlimb paralysis. ![]() Cheetahs under one year of age frequently die from pneumonia. In both the USA and South Africa, captive Cheetahs also suffer from gastritis associated with Heliobacter that accounts for up to 40% of adult mortality.Ĭhronic degenerative diseases, such as glomerulosclerosis, veno-occlusive disease and amyloidosis, are also major causes of mortality. In captivity, infectious diseases are far more common: feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV)/feline enteric coronavirus and feline herpes virus are endemic. Lentivirus and Bartonella have also been reported in the wild. Tanzania), but absent (0–2%) in others (e.g. Cheetah mothers are unable to defend small cubs against Lions that are four times their weight.įeline immunodeficiency virus is also present in high frequency (40%) in some Cheetah populations (e.g. Male cheetah coalitions may also hunt other predators, depending on the size of the coalition and the size and number of predators. Mother cheetahs defend their cubs and sometimes successfully ward off predators from their cubs. Cheetah cubs often hide in the dense brush for their safety. Up to 90% of baby cheetahs are killed during the first few weeks by lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, or even eagles. Groups of Cheetahs are less likely to be harassed by most predators than are single animals.Ĭheetah mothers are unable to defend small cubs against Lions that are four times their weight. However, the cheetah’s worst enemies are the degradation of suitable habitat, an insufficient supply of prey, and the species’ low genetic diversity. In that sense, lions seek to kill them to eliminate some of the competition for food and territory.The lions and hyenas have been reported to greatly influence the distribution of cheetahs. Leopards and cheetahs are other predators in the animal world, which means that they have prey in common with lions. Why don’t lions eat leopards and cheetahs?Īlthough lions do not eat leopards and cheetahs, they kill them frequently.Why do lions kill leopards and cheetahs?.In addition, their digestive systems have evolved to utilize better the nutrients their favorite prey provided, and leopards and cheetahs are not on that scale. Of course, lions have their preferred prey that best suits their nutritional requirements. But that is contrary to reality lions do not eat leopards and cheetahs, and it is not a common practice for them. It is common to think that they eat any other animal they come across. ![]() Lions are one of the most dominant predators in all wildlife.
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