003 Cheetah hissing after a meal in Kalahari Desert Photo by Giles Laurent

A CLOSER LOOK

Cheetah hissing after a meal in Kalahari Desert, Namibia. Cheetahs hiss primarily as a defensive warning. Unlike larger big cats that rely on strength, cheetahs are relatively lightweight and avoid direct conflict whenever possible. Hissing helps them appear more threatening and signals to potential predators or rivals (such as lions or hyenas) to keep their distance. This behavior is especially common when a cheetah feels cornered, is protecting its cubs, or is guarding a kill. In this photography the cheetah was hissing to protect its meal.

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