Number of Young

Anywhere between 1-8 young are produced, with the average litter having 3-4 cubs.

Gestation

90-95 days.

Birth

Newborn cubs are born blind and immature like kittens. They weigh an average 200 grams and have a whitish-grey, woolly coat which changes to its adult colours by four months of age. Although the eyes open after a week or so, the cubs are unable to follow their mother and are therefore hidden under a bush until they are 5 or 6 weeks old. The hiding spot may be changed frequently, and the mother cheetah sometimes leaves the cubs alone for up to 48 hours to hunt for food. After they are brought out of the den they begin to accompany their mother. Mothers with cubs sometimes stay within close proximity of each other.

The young are weaned at about 5-6 months of age. The greatest mortality occurs between the time the young begin following the mother and when they are weaned, many dying before 3 months of age, becoming the prey of lions, hyenas and jackals. They become mature at 20-22 months, but have already begun living on their own about 4 months before this time.