Cheetahs, renowned for their unparalleled speed and agility on the ground, are not natural climbers.

Unlike leopards and other big cats, which exhibit remarkable prowess in tree-climbing, cheetahs are relatively awkward when it comes to scaling trees.

Their bodies are built for speed rather than the climbing, gripping, and balancing required to navigate the branches of trees. Yet, despite their lack of specialized climbing abilities, cheetahs frequently find themselves perched on trees, a behavior that has puzzled many wildlife observers.

This essay explores the reasons behind this curious behavior, examining the ecological and survival benefits that climbing offers to cheetahs.

The Need for a Vantage Point

One of the primary reasons cheetahs climb trees is to gain a better vantage point. In the vast and open savannas where cheetahs typically reside, the landscape is often flat with tall grasses that can obscure their view.

By climbing trees, cheetahs can survey their surroundings more effectively, allowing them to spot potential prey, competitors, or threats from a distance.

This elevated position provides them with a strategic advantage, enabling them to plan their next move, whether it be to initiate a hunt, avoid confrontation with larger predators, or protect their cubs.

Unlike leopards, which haul their kills up into trees to protect them from scavengers, cheetahs do not typically store their prey in trees. However, the ability to scout from above is crucial for these predators, who rely on sight rather than scent to locate and stalk their prey.

Given that cheetahs hunt primarily during the day, when other large predators like lions and hyenas are less active, the ability to detect these potential threats from a tree can be a matter of life and death.

Avoiding Confrontation and Protecting Territory

Cheetahs face significant competition from other predators in their environment, particularly lions and hyenas, which are not only more powerful but also more adept at stealing kills.

To avoid these encounters, cheetahs need to be constantly aware of their surroundings. Climbing trees allows them to monitor the movements of these larger predators and make decisions that can prevent unnecessary confrontations.

Moreover, cheetahs are territorial animals. Males, in particular, often patrol and defend their territories from other males.

By climbing trees, cheetahs can observe intruders or rivals from a safe distance, allowing them to gauge whether a direct confrontation is necessary or if they should take a more strategic approach, such as retreating temporarily to avoid injury.

Maternal Instinct and Protection of Cubs

Female cheetahs with cubs are especially vulnerable, as their offspring are easy targets for predators. Climbing trees enables mother cheetahs to keep a close watch on their young and the surrounding area.

From an elevated position, a mother cheetah can spot approaching threats and take immediate action to protect her cubs, either by relocating them to a safer spot or by standing her ground.

In some cases, cheetah cubs themselves may attempt to climb trees, albeit clumsily, as a means of practicing their coordination and strength. While they may not become skilled climbers, this behavior can still offer some level of safety from ground-dwelling predators, if only temporarily.