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| Three of the four male cheetahs |
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Maun/Berlin (pts025/10.11.2026/14:20) - New study reveals epigenetic changes in male cheetahs. Wildlife filmmaker Matto Barfuss is observing four brothers in Botswana's Okavango Delta who are thriving under extreme environmental pressure offering a fascinating real-world perspective on the adaptability of these endangered big cats.
The cheetah is considered a genetic exception among mammals. Its genetic diversity is extraordinarily low. For a long time, scientists believed this could severely limit the species' ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A new scientific study now offers a fascinating perspective: cheetahs may be able to respond to changing circumstances by modifying how their existing genes are regulated, without changing the underlying DNA sequence.
Published on September 7, 2026, in the renowned scientific journal Molecular Ecology, the study investigated Namibian cheetah males over an extended period. The researchers focused on a remarkable transition in their lives: the change from being a so-called floater to becoming a territorial male.
As floaters, adult males do not yet possess their own territory. They roam through the landscape, waiting for an opportunity to establish a territory. Once successful, their lives change fundamentally. They occupy an area, mark its boundaries and defend it against competing males.
But this transition involves more than a change in behaviour. Something remarkable also happens inside the animals.
The DNA remains the same gene regulation changes
The researchers discovered extensive changes in DNA methylation. These are chemical modifications to DNA that can influence how strongly particular genes are activated or suppressed.
The study examined ten adult males for which blood samples were available from both stages of life. The researchers identified hundreds of differentially methylated DNA regions, associated with genes involved in processes including brain development, body development and cellular regulation.
The animals also underwent significant physical changes. Males that became territorial gained an average of approximately 7.5 kilograms in body mass.
The findings reveal a remarkable association between a change in social strategy and epigenetic regulation. However, the researchers point out that it remains unclear whether these molecular changes trigger the transition, accompany it or occur as a consequence of the animals' new lifestyle.
Four cheetah brothers in the Okavango Delta: a fascinating example from the wild
A particularly interesting parallel is currently being observed by wildlife filmmaker and cheetah expert Matto Barfuss in Botswana's Okavango Delta.
There, Barfuss is filming four cheetah brothers who have established themselves in an exceptionally challenging habitat. Their territory is spatially restricted and characterised by a high density of potential predators and competitors. Lions, leopards and African wild dogs pose a constant threat.
According to Barfuss's observations, the brothers' adaptation process began with the establishment of their own territory. They have successfully maintained their position in this area for years and, according to his observations, have achieved a remarkable reproductive success rate.
The role of the females is particularly interesting. Unlike the territorial males, female cheetahs are not tied to a single location. They move across larger areas in search of suitable mating partners.
The four brothers therefore appear to represent an attractive genetic destination. In a manner of speaking, females regularly visit the area to collect what might be described as the brothers' "good genes".
Adaptability as a key to survival
The observations from Botswana and the new scientific findings from Namibia offer two different perspectives on the remarkable flexibility of cheetahs in responding to their environment.
While the study documents extensive epigenetic changes associated with the transition from a roaming to a territorial lifestyle, the four brothers in the Okavango Delta demonstrate how important successful social and territorial strategies can be for survival and reproduction.
Whether the same epigenetic mechanisms are occurring in the four brothers as those identified in the Namibian study population has not yet been investigated. Nevertheless, their behaviour makes them a particularly interesting example for further research into the adaptability of this extraordinary species.
Perhaps this is one of the most important insights: evolutionary adaptation does not always require new genes. Sometimes, it may be enough to make different use of the genetic possibilities that already exist.
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