Cheetah Profile

3. Cheetah Profile

Common Name: Cheetah
Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus
Genus: Acinonyx
Family: Felidae
Order: Carnivora
Class: Mammalia
Phylum: Chordata
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN)

Physical Description
Cheetahs are sleek, fast predators perfectly built for speed on open savannahs. They are famous for their slender bodies, long legs, and distinctive black “tear marks” running from their eyes to their mouths, which help reduce glare while hunting. Their spotted coats provide camouflage among tall grasses.

• Height: 67 – 94 cm (at the shoulder)

• Length: 112 – 150 cm (without tail)

• Weight: 21 – 72 kg (males are slightly heavier than females)
  
  

Cheetahs show subtle sexual dimorphism: males are usually slightly larger and sometimes form small coalitions, while females are solitary. Their flexible spines, long tails, and semi-retractable claws make them the fastest land animals in the world.

Habitat
Cheetahs are native to Africa and a small population exists in Iran. They prefer wide-open landscapes that allow high-speed chases and access to prey.

• Primary habitat: Savannas, grasslands, scrublands

• Occasional habitats: Semi-deserts, open woodlands
  
  

They rely on tall grasses and small trees for stalking prey and use minimal cover to hide from competitors like lions and hyenas.

Speed & Agility
Cheetahs are unmatched sprinters, capable of incredible acceleration and precision hunting.

• Top speed: Up to 120 km/h in short bursts (around 20–30 seconds)

• Hunting ability: Can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 3 seconds, using claws for traction and tails for balance
  
  

Their hunting strategy is a mix of stealth, timing, and explosive speed, usually chasing prey over short distances to avoid exhaustion.

Diet
Cheetahs are carnivorous hunters, focusing on small to medium-sized ungulates.

• Primary prey: Gazelles, impalas, springboks

• Occasional prey: Hares, young wildebeests, birds
  
  

Unlike other big cats, cheetahs hunt during the day to avoid competition. They rely on speed over strength and often feed quickly to avoid scavengers.

Behavior and Social Structure
Cheetahs are mostly solitary (females) or form small male coalitions. Communication includes vocalizations like chirps, purrs, and growls, as well as scent marking.

• Territorial behavior: Males mark and defend territories, often overlapping with female ranges

• Social behavior: Females raise cubs alone; males may stay in coalitions for life
  
  

Fun Fact: Cheetah cubs have a long, gray mane along their backs, which helps camouflage them and mimics honey badgers to deter predators.

Reproduction
Cheetahs can breed year-round, but births often align with prey availability.

• Gestation period: ~90–95 days

• Litter size: 3 – 5 cubs

• Weaning: Around 3 months
  
  

Cubs face high predation, with only about half surviving to adulthood. Mothers are highly protective and move cubs frequently to avoid detection.

Did You Know?

• Speed Masters: Cheetahs can reach their top speed faster than most sports cars.

• Stealth Experts: Their spotted coat acts like a natural invisibility cloak in tall grass.

• High-Risk Strategy: They avoid fights with larger predators and eat quickly to survive.

• Caring Mothers: Despite harsh survival odds, cheetah mothers teach cubs hunting skills meticulously.
  
  

Role in the Ecosystem
Cheetahs control populations of small to medium ungulates, which prevents overgrazing and maintains grassland balance. They also provide scavenging opportunities for hyenas, vultures, and other predators.

Why They're At Risk
Vulnerable due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and declining prey populations. Fragmented habitats limit genetic diversity, making conservation of large, connected savannahs essential for their survival.