Q&A for How to Survive a Cheetah Attack

It is possible, but they have to outrun the lions.

Humans are not typical cheetah prey, so it's not likely.

The cheetah may feel threatened and defensive, and may attack you. This is true of any predatory animal--big cats, wolves, bears, etc.

They usually chase down fast-moving prey and leap onto it, going mainly for the neck.

You should not look the cheetah in the eyes, as that will trigger it and make it run at you.

She will most likely avoid you. But to move away slowly is the best choice.

Just keep calm and make a noise. For example, bring a radio with a saved sound of a lion because they scare by a lion's roar.

No! Wild animals are especially dangerous. You should try to avoid running over them. Not only will the cheetah get hurt, but you will probably lose your balance and fall off your motorcycle.

People have gotten close enough to pet wild cheetahs. However, this does not mean it's a good idea.

No. Most cheetahs tend to be shy, so it's highly unlikely to attack you if you ignore it.

Yes. Cheetahs and other big cats tend to go for the jugular (throat). Fortunately, your chances of being attacked by a cheetah are (most likely) relatively slim.

Yes, you probably could.

They can be found in savanna areas, mainly in Africa.

You would probably have more luck throwing something at the cheetah directly. Although, you could distract it momentarily by throwing an object in the grass. It would still go after you though, but you could win an extra second or two.

As adults, they are about 2.2-3.1 feet tall at the shoulder, and 3.6-4.9 feet long from head to tail.

Yes. Other big cats include tigers, cheetahs, leopards, and lions.

It depends how strong you are. If you are very strong you might be able to throw it off you, but definitely not into a tree. An adult cheetah weighs somewhere between 50-150 lbs. And once you've thrown it off you, you'd still have to fight it off or outrun it, both of which can be rather difficult.

Stay calm and let it lick you. It might just be curious. If you're close enough for it to lick you, it's already too late to run if it starts biting.

It is unpredictable; there is no guarantee that you won't be attacked. That being said, backing away slowly is a good first step.

You should first try to escape without causing harm to the cheetah. For example, try calling emergency services if the animal is not presenting an immediate danger. If you begin to feel like your life is in danger, running over the animal might be necessary to escape.

If the animals were attacking you, it's not likely the cheetah would come to your defense. In fact, the cheetah might actually join the other animals. It's impossible to say for sure, but predatory animals are not known for building emotional bonds with humans.

Cheetah's hunt alone most of the time. It would be rare to see tigers and cheetahs together. Cheetahs are prey to tigers and avoid tiger territories.

You would have to hurt it to save yourself if it was attacking you. In some cases, this means that you would have to use a weapon.

No, wild animals, especially predators, are not tameable.

No, eventually the cheetah will probably leave. They're only willing to use up so much energy on getting food, you just have to stay alive until they give up.

They are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa and in eastern and southern African parks.

Yes, just like any other bite. You should go to the hospital if you get bitten and seek medical treatment.

If you see a bear, then try to talk to the bear, and play dead (if it's a brown bear). Do not run however, as bears are faster than you, so you cannot outrun it. Please find this information on How to Survive a Bear Attack .

Cheetahs mainly eat small antelope and game birds, as well as rabbits.

Do not try to take wild animals as pets. It is recommended to go to your local pet store if you want a pet.