Ecological characteristics of territories of male cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

Ecological characteristics of nine male cheetahs territories in the Serengeti National Park are described. Territories were centred on areas that provided cover but did not have particularly high rainfall or prey abundance. Resident male cheetahs did not occupy their territories continuously. Some territories were vacated in the dry season, others in the wet season, but in both cases this occurred when numbers of Thomson's gazelles (females' main prey) and female cheetahs seen there were low. Although changes in territory ownership appeared to be related to demographic rather than ecological factors, territories that remained vacant seemed to contain rather little prey. Over two years, evidence suggested that territories occupied by males of larger group size contained greater numbers of Thomson's gazelles.