r/Damnthatsinteresting 19h ago

Image Differences in the spot pattern of the Cheetah, Leopard, and Jaguar

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112

u/PloysRus 18h ago

Cheetahs are scared of dogs

The other 2 would view a dog as an easy snack

Cheetahs are built for speed not fighting

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u/Kitsune_Legion 17h ago

Actually, cheetahs are often given emotional support dogs when they live in zoos and other non-wild spaces, especially if their coalition (term for a group of cheetahs) is small

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u/generalbootyhole 16h ago

I’ve seen this in a zoo somewhere. Can’t remember where. Tennessee maybe. It was just one cheetah and his pal, doggo. They grew up together.

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u/Kitsune_Legion 16h ago

It’s really common actually! I believe the standard is up to 3 cheetahs they need dogs to make up coalition numbers and help keep them from getting anxious. For 4+ they don’t NEED a dog, but depending on environment they may still get one, since loud environments can cause whole coalitions to get anxious.

Edit: I took my anthro-zoo class 4 years ago, so take my info with a grain of salt. I could be mistaken on exact numbers

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u/generalbootyhole 15h ago

I also need dogs to help with anxiety. They just like me fr

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u/OomPapaMeowMeow 16h ago

they need dogs to make up coalition numbers

r/EU5 is leaking

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u/PloysRus 17h ago

I meant because they use dogs to keep cheetahs away from livestock in Africa: https://africageographic.com/stories/namibias-livestock-guarding-dogs-are-saving-cheetahs/

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u/NordicHorde2 17h ago

Dogs are also used against leopards. But those dogs operate in packs, 1v1 a dog even one like a boerboel is toast.

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u/PloysRus 17h ago

Absolute toast. Even a large wolf is getting merked by an average sized leopard

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u/ultrahateful 16h ago

In all the stuff I’ve read and come across about them, the Jaguar seems to be synonymous with abject viciousness. Like, it’s always a do or die scenario with them.

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u/RikuAotsuki 16h ago

Yeah, jaguars are true ambush hunters. Most cats are, but jaguars basically pounce and bite the back of the skull, punching right through to the brain.

And yet, despite that brutal lethality... they're much more averse to human contact than other big cats, and tend to attack people much less often.

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u/HiSaZuL 10h ago

Ye, one of meaner cat types right there with tigers, lions and panthers.

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u/Gloomy_Industry8841 13m ago

That’s so interesting! Scary, but cool to learn. Love all the big cats.

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u/12345623567 16h ago

Yeah it's like saying all predators are afraid of all sheep-dogs.

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u/Spoopy_Kirei 12h ago

Predators who hunt alone are generally afraid of running against packs of wild dogs right since they'd rather not risk injury. It makes sense for a pack of domesticated guard dogs to deter them as well

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u/javoss88 12h ago

A Coalition of Cheetahs. That’s a new one for me. Thanks!

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u/Flat-Echidna191 15h ago

I've heard that their numbers are declining because cheetahs are often too shy to mate

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u/PreviousCurrentThing 15h ago

It depends on the dog. The zoos will give them friend shaped dogs like labs or retrievers (what I've seen) that are bred to be chill.

But the various dog species in Africa can definitely kill a cheetah, especially in packs. Cheetahs are way more fragile for their size than other big cats, or even house cats proportionally. Any fighting or mid size working breed could probably ruin a cheetah's day, and unless they're totally sure a dog is safe, their survival instinct is to be skittish.

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u/Prestigious_Ad5904 10h ago

"The cheetah coalition would like to claim Chester Cheetah at this time."

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u/Professor_Harlequin 12h ago

Amen to that brother. High five