Cheetah is a large cat chiefly found on the grassy plains of eastern and southern
Africa. It is the fastest land mammal over short distances. Cheetahs can run at a
top speed of 50 to 70 miles (80 to 110 kilometers) per hour. But they can
maintain this speed for only a few hundred yards or meters.
Body. The cheetah has a slender body, long legs, and a small head. An adult
cheetah stands 30 to 36 inches (75 to 90 centimeters) tall at the shoulder and
weighs 77 to 132 pounds (35 to 60 kilograms). The animal measures about 6 to 7
feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters) in length, including the tail. Males generally are larger
than females. The cheetah has a yellowish-brown coat with black spots, except
for the throat and under parts, which are white to yellowish-white with black
spots.
Life. In eastern Africa, adult female cheetahs usually live alone unless they have
cubs. Adult males live alone or with one to three other males, usually brothers.
Cheetahs in southern Africa may live in larger groups that contain more than one
adult female.
Male and female cheetahs may mate at any time of year. Several males may
fight over a potential female mate. After mating, the male remains with the female
for a day or two. He then leaves and does not help raise the young.
After a pregnancy of about three months, the female gives birth to an average of
three to five cubs. Many cheetah cubs die during their first three months of life.
They typically are killed by lions, hyenas, and birds of prey. The surviving
cheetah cubs remain with the mother about 14 to 18 months. During this time,
they learn to hunt.
Cheetahs usually hunt by day. They commonly attack medium-sized mammals,
particularly small or young antelope. The cheetah uses its great speed to run
down prey after stalking close to it.
Survival problems. Cheetahs once inhabited grassy plains throughout Africa and
across the Middle East into central Asia and India. Since the early 1900's, their
numbers have declined rapidly. This decline has occurred chiefly because people
have hunted the cheetah for its pelt and have converted much of the animal's
grassland habitat into farming and manufacturing areas. Today, the cheetah is an
endangered species. Biologists estimate that fewer than 15,000 cheetahs remain
in the wild.
Many biologists believe that cheetahs narrowly escaped extinction about 10,000
years ago. Although the species survived, inbreeding among the few remaining
individuals may have led to a loss of genetic diversity. Some scientists believe
that this lack of diversity affects the cheetah's immune system and makes the
animal more vulnerable to disease. Cheetahs are bred in captivity to try to
maintain their remaining genetic variation. Biologists hope to eventually release
some of these cheetahs into the wild.
Scientific classification. The cheetah belongs to the cat family, Felidae. Its
scientific name is Acinonyx jubatus.
Information taken from:
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