Research overview: predation-driven cub mortality in cheetahs

Cheetah cubs face exceptionally high mortality before independence, with predation by larger carnivores being the dominant cause in open habitats. This overview surveys evidence that lions and spotted hyenas kill many cubs at and near the den, and how this pressure shapes maternal behaviors such as frequent den moves and vigilant guarding. It reviews how cub survival varies with habitat structure, predator density, and litter size. The review connects high juvenile loss to the cheetah's reproductive strategy of large litters and intensive solitary care. Understanding the causes and timing of cub mortality is central to cheetah conservation, since survival to independence, rather than fertility, often limits population growth.