How does cheetah breeding occur?
Female cheetahs are polyoestrous, which means there is no regular breeding season. If not bred, females come into heat (oestrus) several times a year. Oestrus means they are ready to breed. If cubs are lost to predators females soon come into oestrus again. Smell, sound and behavioural stimuli attract males to females. Female cheetahs leave a scent trail by releasing sex hormones in urine and faeces. They mark trees and bushes. This behaviour increases during courtship. When courtship takes place, males will follow females closely and mock fighting may be observed. When a female is ready to mate she adopts a receptive posture. The male mounts the female, bites the back of her neck, and breeding takes place. When the male dismounts the female she rolls over on her back and swats at him. Mating will take place for one to several days and ends when the male loses interest in the female and leaves. Males do not help raise the cubs.