While two or three males often form associations that jointly defend cores of shared territory (40-80 sq km) the majority of adult cheetahs (all females and some males) live in much larger home ranges (50-1,000 sq km). Groups sizes are variable but they seem to be on average smaller in east Africa, possibly due to the high number of competing predators there.Adult males move singly or in bachelor groups but apparently do not always establish territories. Females, at least in some studies, were found to hold territories and defend them against intruding females but not males. Female cheetahs in Serengeti and on Namibian ranches have been shown to have much larger ranges than males; in Namibia a rages averages 1,500 sq km and in Serengeti 800 sq km. Nomadic males in Namibia hve been recorded as covering some 800 sq km but groups of males have also been found to have territories of only 40 sq km in Serengeti. In Kruger National Park with its non-migratory prey, both sexes have been found to have similar ranges, on average 175 sq km.

Females are mated by males that live within their own range or by wanderers. Cheetahs have a long, drawn-out and complex courtship, leading after seven to 14 days to the female coming into oestrus. The female remains receptive to males for up to 15 days. After a three-month gestation, the blind, helpless cubs are born in long grass, in thickets or in a temporary "borrowed" burrow. The young open their eyes at 4-14 days and are frequently carried to fresh hiding places by the mother. The cubs' first meat is eaten before they are 1 month old. Cheetah cub mortality is very high, particularly where there are other large predators. This mortality ranges from a recorded 43% in Nairobi National Park to a whopping 90-98% in Serengeti National Park, where mortality of adult male cheetahs is also as high as 50% as a result of competition for territories. Cubs vary a great deal in the length of time they remain dependent on the mother; some stay with her for 2 years, others are on their own at just over 1 year.

Territories and preferred routes are marked with sprays of urine, faeces and, occasionally, by claw-raking. These markings are most often made near regularly used observation points (termitaries, rocks, leaning trees) or at path junctions. The cheetah purrs in greeting known individuals the most striking contact call is an explosive yelp that can carry for 2 kilometers. [The ability to purr distinguishes the cheetah from the big cats lion and leopard, which are unable to purr.] Juveniles make a "whirr", or fast growl, which may rise to squeal or subside to a rasp during fights over a kill. Chirps, hums, purrs and yelps are unique to this cat which can be very vocal in its rare social encounters. Animals mature sexually and can have cubs of their own at about 2 years. Captive specimens have lived for up to 16 years.