Scientific Name – Acinonyx jubatus

Classification – Carnivore

Gender Names – Male – male; Female – female;  Baby – cub

Collective Noun – Coalition

Average Height – 67 – 94cm (26 – 37in)

Average Length – 115 – 135cm (45 – 53in)

Average Weight – Adults – 36 – 65kg (79 – 140lb) Cubs at birth – 150 – 300g (5 – 11oz)

Top Speed – 113 km/h (70 mph)

Life Expectancy – 12 – 14 Yrs

Mating Season –  no fixed season

Pregnancy – 90 – 98 days

Special Features – Cheetahs are the only one of the cats that cannot retract their claws

Family Unit – Cheetahs are generally solitary animals and live and hunt alone. Sometimes a small number of males will choose to live and hunt together. Females rarely live with other females choosing to live and hunt alone. Sometimes a female will allow a daughter to remain and they hunt as a mother daughter pair.

Geographical Distribution – Central and Southern Africa and a small region of Iran

World Population – 9000 to 12000

Conservation Status – Critically Endangered

Natural Habitat –  desert, savannah, scrub, bush and open woodlands

Diet – Carnivores, gazelles, impala, springbok, baby wildebeest and other small mammals

Predators – humans

 

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