Cheetah
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large felid known for its unparalleled speed and distinctive morphology. Renowned as the fastest land animal, it can reach speeds of up to 93 km/h (58 mph) over short distances, making it an exceptional predator. Historically widespread across Africa and Asia, today the cheetah’s range is largely restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, with a critically endangered population in Iran.
Meet the Cheetah
Classification
Cheetahs have a slender, aerodynamic body built for speed. Their long legs, flexible spine, deep chest, and lightweight frame enable them to cover great distances in a single stride, reaching speeds unmatched by any other terrestrial animal.
Adult cheetahs typically measure 110–150 cm (43–59 inches) in body length, with a tail adding 55–80 cm (22–31 inches). They stand 74–90 cm (29–35 inches) at the shoulder and weigh between 21–65 kg (46–143 pounds), with males generally being larger than females.
Their coat is short and coarse, featuring a yellowish-tan base color covered with solid black spots measuring about 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 inches) in diameter. Unlike leopards or jaguars, these spots are not rosetted. One of their most striking features is the black “tear mark”, a dark stripe running from the inner corner of each eye to the mouth. These markings are believed to reduce glare from the sun and aid in hunting during daylight hours.
Unlike other large cats, cheetahs have non-retractable claws, providing extra grip for high-speed chases. Their long, muscular tail acts as a rudder, helping them make sharp turns when pursuing prey. Cheetahs also have large nasal passages and enlarged adrenal glands to support bursts of intense speed.
Where Does the Cheetah Live?
Biogeographic Realm: Afrotropic, Indomalaya, Palearctic
Subcontinents: East Africa, Central Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa [Show all subcontinents]
Countries: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana [Show all countries]
Habitats (IUCN): Savanna, Shrubland, Grassland, Wetlands (inland), Rocky Areas, Desert, Artificial - Terrestrial
Cheetahs are found in a variety of open habitats, including:
- Savannas and grasslands (ideal for high-speed chases)
- Arid regions and deserts (such as the Kalahari Desert)
- Scrub forests (where they rely on stealth and ambush tactics)
Today, cheetahs are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, with the highest populations in Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania. A critically endangered population of Asiatic cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) survives in Iran, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild.
Cheetahs require vast territories due to their low prey capture success rate. Because of habitat fragmentation, many populations are now restricted to protected areas such as national parks and reserves.
What Do Cheetahs Eat?
Cheetahs are carnivores, specializing in hunting medium-sized ungulates. Their primary prey includes:
- Gazelles (Gazella spp.), particularly Thomson’s gazelle
- Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
- Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis)
- Warthog piglets and smaller mammals
- Ground birds, such as guinea fowl
Unlike lions and hyenas, cheetahs rely on speed rather than strength. They hunt by stalking their prey from a distance before initiating a high-speed chase lasting less than 30 seconds. A successful hunt ends with the cheetah tripping its prey and delivering a suffocating bite to the throat.
Because cheetahs lack the strength to defend their kills from scavengers like lions, leopards, and hyenas, they consume their prey quickly and may abandon it if threatened.
What Eats Cheetahs? – Predators & Natural Enemies
Adult cheetahs have few natural predators, but their cubs suffer high mortality rates, with 50–75% of cubs killed before reaching independence. The primary threats to cheetah cubs include:
- Lions (Panthera leo)
- Hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)
- Leopards (Panthera pardus)
- African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)
- Eagles and jackals (targeting very young cubs)
To mitigate predation, cheetah mothers frequently move their cubs between den sites, reducing the likelihood of being discovered by predators.
Behavior & Lifestyle
Cheetahs exhibit varied social structures depending on sex:
- Males often form coalitions (typically with their littermates) to defend territories and increase hunting success.
- Females are solitary, except when raising cubs.
Cheetahs are diurnal hunters, preferring to hunt in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are lower. They rely heavily on sight rather than scent, using their keen vision to detect prey from a distance before initiating a stalking and chase sequence.
Communication among cheetahs includes:
- Scent marking (marking territories with urine and claw scratches)
- Chirping (cub-mother interactions)
- Purring (social bonding)
- Hissing and growling (used in aggressive encounters)
How Do Cheetahs Reproduce?
Cheetahs reach sexual maturity at about 2 years of age. The mating process is polygamous, with males competing for access to females in estrus. After a gestation period of 90–95 days, females give birth to a litter of 3–5 cubs, though larger litters of up to 8 cubs have been recorded.
Newborn cubs are blind and helpless, covered in a greyish mantle of fur that provides camouflage and possibly deters predators by mimicking the appearance of a honey badger. Cubs stay with their mother for 18–24 months, during which they learn essential survival skills, such as hunting and avoiding predators.
Are Cheetahs Endangered? – Conservation Status & Threats
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies cheetahs as Vulnerable, with fewer than 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The Asiatic cheetah is Critically Endangered, with only 10–50 individuals left in Iran.
Major threats to cheetahs include:
- Habitat loss: Expansion of farmland and human settlements reduces available space for hunting.
- Human-wildlife conflict: Cheetahs sometimes prey on livestock, leading to retaliation killings by farmers.
- Poaching and illegal pet trade: Cheetah cubs are often captured for the exotic pet trade, particularly in the Middle East.
- Genetic bottleneck: Due to a historic population crash around 10,000 years ago, cheetahs have extremely low genetic diversity, making them vulnerable to diseases and reproductive issues.
Several organizations are working to protect cheetahs, including:
- Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF): Focuses on reducing human-cheetah conflict and habitat protection.
- Wildlife corridors: Establishing protected areas that connect fragmented cheetah populations.
- Captive breeding programs: Aimed at maintaining genetic diversity and potential reintroductions.
- Community-based conservation: Educating farmers on non-lethal methods to deter cheetahs from livestock.
Despite these efforts, cheetah populations continue to decline. Sustained conservation initiatives and stronger legal protections are essential to ensuring the long-term survival of this magnificent species.
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