Why are cheetahs more tolerant of humans than other large cats?

i read somewhere that scientists now claim that cheetahs are so relaxed that they can be domesticated. An experiment was conducted to see the tolerance level of wild cheetah against humans in their same enclosure. A few men, with only a tall stick (to defend themself if attacked) entered the enclosure of wild cheetahs and moved very slowly or stood still at a distance of about 100 feet from the cheetah. The cheetah never attacked the men with sticks, and wasn't interested in them. The experiment concluded that as long as humans don't run or bend near cheetahs, they will not be attacked. However, the same experiment when conducted with lion or tiger failed badly --- when the men entered their enclosure with tall sticks, the lion and tigers got so enraged, that they charged towards them -- the men then ran inside the van. The tigers/lions would attack human even if he didn't run or bend, but cheetahs won't, how come?

Why are cheetahs more tolerant of humans than other large cats?
Interesting point you have made.





I agree with you, that the character of each of the different large feline species, is unique and forms their separate reputations and we call it the 'nature of the beast'.





It's fair to say that a Cheetah has a different nature and attitude toward vulnerable human beings, compared to the other large, carnivorous cats.





Cheetahs share their land and inhabit the same open, grassland terrains; concurrently with Lions and Leopards.





It's true, Cheetahs have a well-known character, which wildlife handlers and documentaries demonstrate.





According to books and films, that I have read and seen on TV; you are correct.





Cheetahs are quite different to regular Lions and Tigers, in their behaviour toward humans.





Rajas from India kept them for pets because they are easily domesticated and loyal companion animals.





Their nature is described as being similar to a dog and therefore is unlike the attitude of a predatory cat, nor even like a domestic cat.





Clearly the reason is their nature and their instincts.





The major difference is the Cheetah is the only cat without retractable claws. They have fixed claws like all non-feline mammals, similar to claws of a dog, or a bear.





This seems a small difference and yet is a thing, that simplifies the thinking patterns of the Cheetah and affects the attitude of this unusual species.





To prove that the difference in natural attitude is caused by the claws being fixed type claws which do not retain sharpness the way retracted claws do.





One would need to find out if cats changed, when their claws stopped retracting.





But that is impossible to prove.





Because it would need an example of other fixed-claw felines, apart from the Cheetah; to compare with.





There is no other mammal family, with retracting claws either. Nor a kind that also contains a species, which has non-retracting ones.





A reverse situation, would be to think what effect it might have; upon the attitude of the Cheetah; if the claws were to be retractable.





It would attack people. Exactly the same as the Lion and Tiger, attack the human beings.





This behaviour of the cats, that you describe in your query; may as well indicate that the Cheetah is afraid of the pointy-ends, on the sticks.





They ascertain the risks and also know that the people are harmless, if left undisturbed.





Getting poked in the eye, by Antelope horns, is a frequent hazard and a danger; for Cheetahs in the wild.





That is in fact, the primary defensive purpose of Antelope horns, to impale predators with them.


Such as Cheetahs and Lions, when the Antelope, are being pursued by them.





One can imagine, if the domestic dogs all had sharp retractable-claws, for example.





Then they will behave differentently; to the basic dog's nature, that they normally exhibit.





They would probably, be more like cats; in their attitude and could climb trees and catch things easily with their paws.





That is the basic reason, Cheetahs differ in their aggression and tolerance. Because they are more like a dog and cat combined.





To tame Cheetahs is probably more reliable and long-lasting, once established; than training the other large-cat species.





Cheetahs apparently learn easily and improve with education, to be more ideal inmates for zoo-keepers and proper breeding programs.





All the large cats are bred in captivity, for conservation of their various species.





There is not an option for these to live as the wild species live.





Except at some large open-range zoos and they are not bred to increase the wild number, as for release later.





These zoo cats of all types, are permanent, captive examples; as a zoo attraction and for breeding as part of the gene-pool resources; in the global networks of national zoos.





The Cheetah has not been a popular pet in modern times because it is too big for homes and also valuable.





A Cheetah, is an easy target for thieves to steal it and just for the animal's skin, to sell it as a commodity.





In general the Cheetah would be a risk, if it escaped from the owner or the zoo and became very hungry.





Then it would attack people and eat them. Even domestic cats that are feral, grow fierce and attack people, if the chance arises.





According to reports from bush-walkers here in Australia, bush feral-cats often also grow larger and are aggressive, when living in the wild.
Reply:other large cats are move protective of thier packs and babies, and thus more likely to be more aggressive to strangers
Reply:Cheetahs aren't as big as lions or tigers, I for instance am very tolerant of large sharks and never attack them.
Reply:Cheetahs were domesticated a long time ago in China. They know that they can't hurt humans so they won't even try. They are actually very timid animals.
Reply:I for one think you either are making that up or seriously misunderstand something you read or saw. For one thing, there is zero scientific value in domesticating cheetahs. In fact a scientist would be much more interested in seeing cheetahs staying wild. It would have been good for you to provide proof of such research. "I read somewhere" is not proof. Conducting an experiment to learn about animal behavior within an "enclosure" is also not science.





In the wild big cats will not tolerate humans on foot. As long as a person stays in a vehicle, the cats ignore them. All those so called wildlife and nature films you see are made from the safety and comfort of a vehicle. Another thing, those people, for the most part, are not wildlife biologist.

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