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About Big Cats


Cheetah

Cheetahs are large cats that are designed for speed.

Cheetah Classification:

Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Acinonyx
Species: Jubatus

Habitat: Cheetahs are found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are rarely observed in southern Algeria and northern Niger. Their distribution range is from Senegal east to Somalia and south to northern South Africa. Cheetahs are found in the savanna, open grassland or dense woodlands.

Cheetah Species:

Sub-Species

Asiatic Cheetah - Acinonyx Jubatus Venaticus
Northwest African Cheetah - Acinonyx Jubatus Hecki
Acinonyx Jubatus Raineyii
Acinonyx Jubatus Jubatus
Acinonyx Jubatus Soemmeringii
Acinonyx Jubatus Velox

Size: Male cheetahs are larger than their female counterparts. Cheetahs stand 2-3 feet high at their shoulder. They measure 3.6 to 4.4 feet in length with a tail that is tail is 26 to 33 inches long and finally cheetahs weigh 86 to 143 lbs.

Other Names for Cheetahs: Prince of the Jungle

Cheetah in Foreign Languages

Afrikaans:
Jagluiperd
Croatian:
Gepard
Czech:
Gepard
Danish:
Gepard
Dutch:
Jachtluipaard / Cheeta
Finnish:
Gepardi
French:
Guépard
German:
Gepard
Hungarian:
Gepard
Icelandic:
Blettatigur
Indonesian:
Cheetah
Irish: Siota
Italian: Ghepardo
Latin: Acinonyx
Latvian: Gepards
Luxembourg: Gepard
Navajo: Nashdoitsoh Dijadi
Norwegian: Gepard
Polish: Gepard
Portuguese: Guepardo / Chita
Romanian: Ghepard
Slovenian: Gepard
Spanish: Guepardo / Chita / Leopardo Pequeño
Swahili: Duma
Swedish: gepard
Turkish: çita
Vietnamese: Bao San

Diet: Cheetahs prey on small antelopes like Thomson's gazelles and impalas. Cheetahs will also eat small mammals and birds.

Senses: Cheetahs have excellent vision and a good sense of smell.

Description: Cheetahs are designed for speed, they have long, slim legs, a small, round head, a flexible spine, a deep chest, and a long tail. The tail is used to balance the cheetah when running. Cheetahs have claws that are not retractable and pads on their paws to provide additional traction. Cheetahs have solid spots, unlike the rosette spots on a leopard. Cheetahs have unique distinctive black tear streaks that run from the down beside their nose to their mouth. The black striping is also designed with the "hunt" in mind. The coloring helps them spot prey in the distance.

Birth: Cheetahs cubs have a high mortality rate. It is estimated that 50 to 75% of cheetah cubs die before 3 months. Cheetahs give birth to litters of 2-4 cubs.

Did You Know?
The Cheetah is the world’s fastest land mammal. The cheetah can go from 0 to 60 mph in only three seconds. Cheetahs can reach top speeds of 70 and 75 mph.

Gestation: Cheetahs carry their young for 3 months.

Cubs: Cheetah cubs are born completely helpless and it takes a few weeks for them to open their eyes. The cubs weigh 9 - 15 ounces at birth.

Sexual Maturity: Females reach sexual maturity between the ages of 20 to 24 months.

Life Span: Cheetahs live up to 12 years in the wild, and cheetahs can live up to 17 years in captivity.

Social Structure: Cheetahs live in alone or in small groups. Males may group together for life. These small groups are called coalitions. Males will mark their territory by urinating on trees, logs, and termite mounds.

Athleticism: Cheetahs are extremely athletic. Cheetahs hunt during the day, and they ambush their prey. Cheetahs have large nostrils that allow for an increased intake of oxygen, and their oversized heart and lungs help power their bodies. Cheetahs can run exceptionally fast for short durations.

 

Cheetah
Cheetah

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Population Status: There are approximately 12,400 cheetahs left in 25 countries.


Cheetah Photo
Cheetah Coalition
Cheetah Snarl
Cheetah Sprinting
Cheetah Face
Cheetah Photo
Cheetah Picture
Cheetah Image
Trio of Cheetahs

Big Cat Gifts

 

 

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