Mammal · GBIF taxon 2435270
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatusAlso known as Hunting Leopard
Built like a greyhound, the cheetah is the terrestrial world's undisputed speed king, accelerating faster than most sports cars to chase down nimble prey across African savannahs. Black tear streaks running from the inner eyes down to the mouth reduce harsh glare while scanning sunny horizons for gazelles. Females lead solitary lives raising litters in thick brush, whereas males frequently join forces in lifelong coalitions with brothers to defend large territories.
DiurnalFastest Land MammalApex Predator
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Thomson's Gazelles
- Impalas
- Hares
Predators
- Lions
- Spotted Hyenas
- Leopards
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, loss of prey, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal pet trade
HabitatsOpen savannahs, grasslands, semi-deserts, and arid shrublands
Life span10 to 12 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCarnivora
- FamilyFelidae
- GenusAcinonyx
- SpeciesAcinonyx jubatus
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Large wild carnivore; maintain a safe distance inside a safari vehicle at all times.
- Why it is dangerous
- As large carnivores, cheetahs possess sharp teeth and claws capable of inflicting serious injury if cornered or defensive.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Slender body covered in solid black spots with distinct black facial tear lines.
- What to do
- Observe strictly from a protected vehicle and never approach on foot.
- What to notice
- Recognized by a deep-chested build, spotted coat, and dark tear stripes across the face.
- Support conservation
- Keep location details private on social media to protect wild individuals from illegal poaching.
Responsible observation
- Safari Vehicles: Remain inside your vehicle and refrain from making sudden movements or loud noises while observing.
- Respect Raising Mother: Give extra space to mothers traveling with young cubs to prevent driving them away from cover.
Prey (c) Bob, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Competitor "African Lion" by Mathias Appel is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/. · cc0
Competitor Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Raja bandi, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Raja bandi · cc-by
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