Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

Open plains. Now restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, wild cheetahs once were found in most of Africa, the plains of southern Asia, the Middle East and India.

Scientific name: Acinonyx jubatus

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Diet: The cheetah is a carnivore, eating mostly mammals under 40 kg, including the Thomson's gazelle, the Grant's gazelle, the springbok and the impala. The young of larger mammals such as wildebeests and zebras are taken at times, and adults too, when the cats hunt in groups. Guineafowl and hares are also prey.

Habitat: Open plains. Now restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, wild cheetahs once were found in most of Africa, the plains of southern Asia, the Middle East and India.

With a life span of 10 to 12 years, the cheetah is basically a solitary animal. At times a male will accompany a female for a short while after mating, but most often the female is alone or with her cubs. The cheetah is smaller than leopards or lions, but by far the fastest of the cats and at speeds of 70 miles per hour it can run faster than all other animals.

Did you know?
The name cheetah comes from an Indian word meaning "spotted one."