Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar; instead, they purr, growl, hiss, and make high-pitched chirps that sound remarkably like birds.

Scientific name

Acinonyx jubatus

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Carnivora › Felidae › Acinonyx

IUCN Red List status

Vulnerable

Population trend

decreasing

Biome

grassland

Habitat

Savannahs, grasslands, and arid mountainous regions

Diet

Carnivorous, primarily targeting small to medium-sized ungulates like gazelles, impalas, and hares

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, Iran

Size

Length: 1.1 - 1.5 meters (excluding tail); Weight: 21 - 72 kg

Lifespan

10-12 years in the wild, up to 17 years in captivity

Active

diurnal

Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict with livestock farmers, illegal wildlife trade, and low genetic diversity.

Safe to approach?

Cheetahs are generally shy and defensive, preferring to flee rather than fight humans. Maintain a safe distance of at least 50 meters. If a cheetah approaches, do not run, as this triggers their chase instinct; instead, stand your ground, make yourself look large, and speak loudly. In the extremely rare event of a bite or scratch, seek immediate medical attention to prevent infection.

The cheetah /ˈtʃiːtə/ ( Acinonyx jubatus ) is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae that occurs mainly in eastern and southern Africa and a few parts of Iran. The only extant member of the genus Acinonyx , the cheetah was first described by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1775. The cheetah is characterised by a slender body, deep chest, spotted coat, a small rounded head, black tear-like streaks on the face, long thin legs and a long...

Photo: Bernard DUPONT, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist

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