In fact, their only defense is their speed which make them vulnerable to other predators. When pregnant, the female is especially vulnerable to leopards and lions. The cubs are born with a special coloration to camouflage them in the bush where they will stay hidden for two months. They have a heavy mantle of long silver hairs on their head and back while the lower half of their bodies is darker. The mane disappears about three months after weaning.
Cheetahs make chirping sounds to call their young, sounding much like a bird.
They also hiss, spit and purr. But they do not roar. The female marks her territory by spraying vegetation with urine, leaving a message for males that she is ready to mate.