Photo by beverlyjoubert | When survival depends on learning to thrive alongside larger predators like lions and spotted hyenas, you need careful strategies for staying safe—and sated. Lithe and lean, cheetahs are unable to physically defend themselves against their brawnier rivals, and they lack the strength to haul their meals up into the safety of the trees. That means they have to master the art of eating very, very quickly to keep their kills from being stolen. Mealtimes are even trickier for cheetah females with cubs, which must balance speed with vigilance to protect the youngsters from danger. With up to 12% of their kills lost to opportunistic scavengers in some parts of Africa, it’s not easy for these spotted cats to keep their bellies full. #cheetahs #bigcats #wildlife