After they leave their mother, the male cubs must survive in unfamiliar surroundings and cross the territories of older adults that may attack them. Young male cheetahs sometimes find safety by sticking together as a group, usually of brothers.
This is called a coalition. Male lions do the same thing. Together they can better defend themselves and catch bigger prey. This early adulthood is difficult, but if a male survives it may one day find its own territory. Often a young male will take the territory of an older
male that has become weak.
By the time the cubs are old enough to mate, they will be expert predators. They will have polished their skills over hundreds of hunts. They will know how to walk in complete silence and stalk within yards of their target without being seen. Experience will have taught them everything they need to be one of the most powerful and skillful carnivores on land.
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