Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins – A Comprehensive Comparison

Posted by Randunu March 14, 2025
cheetah vs hyena who wins

Below is a full detailed article about Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins?.
Cheetah (scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus)
Hyena (scientific name: Crocuta crocuta for the spotted hyena)
Below tables cover 10 main topics by including all the numerical and scientifical data by comparing Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins. Also I have included a winner column for further understanding, Hope you will enjoy!

1. Body Specifications

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Height 70-90 cm at the shoulder 70-90 cm at the shoulder Tie
Length 1.1-1.5 meters (body), 60-80 cm (tail) 1.3-1.8 meters (body), 25-30 cm (tail) Hyena
Weight 34-54 kg (male), 29-43 kg (female) 40-86 kg (female), 40-70 kg (male) Hyena
Body Shape Slim, aerodynamic, adapted for speed Robust, sloping back, adapted for endurance running Tie
Bone Density Moderate, adapted for speed and agility High, adapted for crushing bones Hyena
Muscle Mass 50-60% of body weight 50-60% of body weight Tie
Skull Size 20-25 cm in length 25-30 cm in length Hyena
Limb Strength Powerful hind legs for sprinting Strong forelimbs and jaws for running and crushing bones Tie
Tail Function Used for balance during high-speed chases Short tail, used for communication Cheetah
Overall Build Lightweight and streamlined, optimized for speed Robust and enduring, optimized for scavenging and running Tie

2. Coat and Coloration

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Color Yellowish-tan with black spots Sandy, brown, or gray with spots Tie
Pattern Solid black spots Irregular spots and stripes Tie
Function Camouflage in grasslands Camouflage in savannahs and woodlands Tie
Melanin Levels Normal melanin levels Normal melanin levels Tie
Coat Thickness Short, dense fur Short, coarse fur Tie
Seasonal Changes No significant seasonal changes No significant seasonal changes Tie
Cub Coloration Spotted at birth, fading with age Spotted at birth, fading with age Tie
UV Reflectance Low reflectance, aiding in stealth Low reflectance, aiding in stealth Tie
Thermoregulation Efficient in warm, dry climates Efficient in hot, dry climates Tie
Unique Markings Black “tear marks” from eyes to mouth Spots and stripes Cheetah

3. Habitat and Range – Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins 

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Geographic Range Sub-Saharan Africa, Iran Sub-Saharan Africa Tie
Habitat Type Grasslands, savannahs, and open woodlands Savannahs, grasslands, woodlands, and deserts Tie
Adaptability Highly adaptable to open terrains Highly adaptable to various environments Hyena
Climate Preference Warm, dry climates Hot, dry climates Tie
Elevation Range Sea level to 2,000 meters Sea level to 4,000 meters Hyena
Territorial Range 100-300 km² 40-1,000 km² Hyena
Human Proximity Can live near human settlements Can live near human settlements Tie
Migration Patterns Non-migratory Non-migratory Tie
Population Density Low density due to solitary nature Moderate density in clans Hyena
Endemism Found in Africa and Iran Found in Africa Cheetah

4. Diet and Hunting – Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins 

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Prey Type Gazelles, impalas, small antelopes Wildebeest, zebra, antelope, carrion Tie
Hunting Success Rate 50-70% 30-40% Cheetah
Daily Caloric Intake 1,500-2,500 calories 2,000-3,000 calories Hyena
Hunting Techniques High-speed chase, suffocating bite to the throat Cooperative hunting, endurance running, and scavenging Tie
Prey Size Up to 2 times their body weight Up to 10 times their body weight Hyena
Scavenging Rarely scavenges Frequently scavenges Hyena
Hunting Time Diurnal (daytime) Nocturnal and crepuscular Tie
Water Dependency Low, can survive without water for long periods Moderate, requires regular water intake Cheetah
Food Storage Eats prey on the spot Eats prey on the spot Tie
Competition Competes with lions, hyenas, and wild dogs Competes with lions, leopards, and wild dogs Tie

5. Strength and Bite Force – Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins 

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Bite Force (PSI) 475 PSI 1,100 PSI Hyena
Claw Strength Semi-retractable, blunt claws for traction Non-retractable, blunt claws for running Tie
Lifting Capacity Can lift 1-2 times its body weight Can lift 1-2 times its body weight Tie
Jaw Structure Shorter, weaker jaws for suffocating prey Longer jaws for crushing bones Hyena
Neck Strength Moderate, adapted for sprinting Extremely strong, adapted for crushing bones Hyena
Forelimb Strength Strong for sprinting and grappling Extremely strong for running and grappling Hyena
Hind Limb Strength Powerful for sprinting Moderate for running Cheetah
Overall Strength Agile and strong, but smaller in size Extremely powerful, larger in size Hyena
Combat Skills Speed-based, relies on ambush Strength-based, relies on endurance and numbers Hyena
Endurance High endurance for short bursts High endurance for long chases Hyena

6. Speed and Agility

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Top Speed 100-120 km/h 60 km/h Cheetah
Acceleration Faster acceleration due to lighter body Slower acceleration due to larger body Cheetah
Agility in Trees Poor climber Poor climber Tie
Agility in Water Moderate swimmer Moderate swimmer Tie
Stamina High stamina for short bursts High stamina for long chases Hyena
Jumping Ability Can jump up to 6 meters horizontally Limited jumping ability Cheetah
Maneuverability Highly maneuverable at high speeds Less maneuverable in open terrains Cheetah
Reflexes Extremely fast reflexes Moderate reflexes Cheetah
Balance Excellent balance for sprinting Good balance for running Cheetah
Overall Agility Superior agility due to smaller size and adaptability Moderate agility due to larger size Cheetah

7. Senses – Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins 

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Vision Acuity Excellent binocular vision, adapted for spotting prey at a distance Good night vision, binocular vision Cheetah
Hearing Range Can hear frequencies up to 45 kHz Can hear frequencies up to 40 kHz Cheetah
Olfactory Capabilities Moderate sense of smell Highly developed sense of smell Hyena
Whisker Sensitivity Highly sensitive whiskers for navigation Moderately sensitive whiskers Cheetah
Depth Perception Excellent depth perception for sprinting Good depth perception for running Cheetah
Color Vision Limited color vision Limited color vision Tie
Motion Detection Highly sensitive to motion Moderately sensitive to motion Cheetah
Low Light Vision Good low light vision Good low light vision Tie
Sensory Adaptations Adapted for diurnal hunting Adapted for both diurnal and nocturnal hunting Tie
Overall Senses Superior senses for spotting and chasing prey Good senses for cooperative hunting Cheetah

8. Reproduction and Lifespan

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Gestation Period 90-95 days 90-110 days Cheetah
Litter Size 3-5 cubs 1-3 cubs Cheetah
Cub Mortality Rate 50-70% 50-60% Tie
Sexual Maturity 2-3 years 2-3 years Tie
Lifespan (Wild) 10-12 years 10-12 years Tie
Lifespan (Captivity) 15-20 years 20-25 years Hyena
Mating System Solitary, polygamous Social, polygamous Tie
Parental Care Mother raises cubs alone Mother and clan raise cubs Hyena
Weaning Age 3-4 months 6-8 months Cheetah
Reproductive Rate 1 litter every 2 years 1 litter every 2 years Tie

9. Social Behavior – Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins 

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
Social Structure Solitary, except during mating or cub-rearing Lives in clans of 5-90 individuals Hyena
Territorial Range 100-300 km² 40-1,000 km² Hyena
Communication Vocalizations, scent marking, and body language Vocalizations, scent marking, and body language Tie
Dominance Hierarchy No strict hierarchy Strict hierarchy within clans Hyena
Cooperation Minimal cooperation High cooperation in hunting and cub-rearing Hyena
Aggression Levels Highly aggressive when threatened Highly aggressive when defending territory Tie
Play Behavior Cubs engage in play to develop hunting skills Cubs engage in play to develop social and hunting skills Tie
Grooming Self-grooming Mutual grooming within clans Hyena
Territorial Marking Scent marking and vocalizations Scent marking and vocalizations Tie
Overall Sociability Solitary and independent Highly social and cooperative Hyena

10. Conservation Status

Subtopics Cheetah Hyena Winner
IUCN Status Vulnerable Least Concern Hyena
Population Trends Declining due to habitat loss and poaching Stable, but threatened in some regions Hyena
Threats Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict Tie
Conservation Efforts Protected areas, anti-poaching initiatives Protected areas, anti-poaching initiatives Tie
Legal Protection Protected under CITES Appendix I Protected under CITES Appendix II Cheetah
Population Size Estimated 7,000-10,000 Estimated 27,000-47,000 Hyena
Genetic Diversity Low genetic diversity Moderate genetic diversity Hyena
Human Impact High due to deforestation and poaching High due to habitat fragmentation and hunting Tie
Reintroduction Programs Limited reintroduction efforts Active reintroduction efforts in some regions Hyena
Overall Outlook Declining and threatened Stable but threatened in some regions Hyena

Overall Winner – Cheetah vs Hyena Who Wins 

  • Cheetah: Wins in categories like speed, agility, and senses.
  • Hyena: Wins in categories like social behavior, endurance, and bite force.
  • Final Verdict: The hyena has the edge in a one-on-one encounter due to its superior strength, endurance, and bite force, but the cheetah dominates in speed and agility.

References

  1. National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com
  2. IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org
  3. Smithsonian’s National Zoo: https://nationalzoo.si.edu
  4. Journal of Zoology: Comparative studies on big cat biology
  5. African Wildlife Foundation: https://www.awf.org
  6. World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org
  7. Scientific Reports: Bite force and strength studies
  8. Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com
  9. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org
  10. BBC Earth: https://www.bbc.com/earth

Read more – Leopard vs Hyena Who Wins – A Comprehensive Comparison

Tags: