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Cheetah

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Geographic distribution:

Africa and Iran

Scientific name:
- Acinonyx jubatus
Taxonomy:
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Family: Felidae
Biology:
- Area of origin: Africa, Asia
- Habitat: Savannah
- Social life: Solitària
- Food: Carnivorous

Rating:
- Mammals
Physical Characteristics:
- Longevity: 15 - 20 years
- Weight at birth: 250-300 g
- Middleweight: 28-65 kg
- Length: 120-150 cm
Reproduction
- Reproduction: Viviparous
- Gestation: 90-95 days
- Nombre de cries: 1-5 offspring

Risk level of the species

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Red list: Scale according to the situation of the species IUCN

Description

The cheetah is the sveltest of all felines. Compared to the rest of the animals in the same family, it has a relatively small head, very long legs and a higher thoracic cavity. Unlike the nails of its cousins, the cheetah's nails are not retractable and are used to increase traction while running.
It is a common inhabitant of the savannahs and open areas with thick brush in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. However, at present the Asian subspecies is almost extinct and the African populations are almost totally restricted to large national parks and reserves.
They capture antelope, gazelles, hares and other running prey using a hunting technique that combines the skill of approaching the prey without being detected and their pure speed: the cheetah is the fastest running animal alive, able to reach a top speed of 115 km/hr for a very short time.
Despite high temperatures, they tend to hunt at midday to prevent other carnivores such as hyenas and lions from robbing their prey. They hunting effectiveness is extraordinarily high compared to other hunters like the lion, with a success rate of almost 60%.
Solitary by nature, this species is polygamous, where females may copulate with different males during the reproduction period. The mother is responsible for taking care of the cubs for over one year, without any help from the male. Only one-third of the young cubs that are born each birthing season survive, as they are a common prey of other predators on the savannah like lions and hyenas.
This species is endangered today due to direct persecution from mankind –considering them a threat to their domestic animals-, the deterioration of their natural habitat, the consequent decrease in the number of prey for them to eat and the fragmentation of their populations.

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