Cheetah

Species

The cheetah was once one of the most widely distributed land animals in the world but have disappeared from 76% of their former historic range. The Asiatic cheetah could be found on the shores of the Mediterranean sea, the Arabian peninsula and over to Pakistan and India. There are 5 subspecies of cheetah.

Acinonyx jabatus raineyi
Acinonyx jabatus soemmeringii
Acinonyx jabatus jubatus
Acinonyx jabatus hecki
Acinonyx jabatus venaticus

East African (Tanzanian/Kenyan) cheetah
North East African cheetah
South African cheetah
North West cheetah
Asiatic (Iranian) cheetah

Population

As a species, the cheetah is Vulnerable (assessed by the IUCN in 2014). In the mid-1970s, there were approximately 15,000 cheetahs. Currently, estimates are no more than 10,000 with (7,000 are known for sure). The South African subspecies is the most numerous (about 4,500) and the Eastern African subspecies is thought to number 2,500. The North West and Asiatic subspecies were assessed in 2008 as being Critically Endangered with 250 and 60-100 cheetahs respectively.

Size

African cheetahs size ranges from 112 - 150 cm in length, with a tail measuring 60 - 80 cm. At the shoulder, they measure 67 - 94 cm. Weight range is 21 - 72 kg.
Asiatic cheetahs are smaller than African cheetahs.

Habitat & distribution

Cheetahs are tolerant of a range of habitats: shrubland, grassland, savannas and temperate to hot desert. They mainly stay on the ground although they can climb trees.

Cheetahs: built for speed

Almost every part of a cheetah has been adapted for speed, the fastest land animal in the world.
They have a high number of "fast twitch" muscle fibres which give power over endurance - these muscle fibres give a few minutes of fast speed. Cheetahs can accelerate from 0-80 km/h in just three strides. They can reach a maximum speed of 110 km/h. The cheetah has 20% more fast twitch muscles fibres than other fast animals like horses and greyhounds. Cheetahs stalk their prey then give chase when they are within 70 - 100 metres of them. The chase only lasts about 20 seconds and is often unsuccessful.
Due to the oxygen demands of rapid acceleration, cheetahs have enlarged nostrils and extensive air-filled sinuses. Breaths per minute can increase from 60 to 150.
Many other internal organs are enlarged too: heart, lungs, arteries, liver and adrenal glands.
Their blunt claws act as running spikes and the ridges on their foot pads act like a car tyre tread.
Cheetahs use their tail as a counterbalance when running.

Diet

Cheetahs prefer small to medium sized ungulates such as impala and gazelle. However, they will also prey on the calves of larger ungulates. Hares, small mammals and birds might also be eaten. Adult cheetahs eat about 2.8 kg of meat per day. Cheetahs rarely scavenge for food and they must eat their kill quickly or drag it to a hiding spot. Other predators (lions, hyenas and vultures) will drive cheetahs away from their kill and take it over. The cheetah has small teeth and is unable to defend its prey. Cheetahs only need to drink water every 4 -10 days.

Interesting facts

~ Hair is longest on the nape (back of neck) and is more noticeably longer in cubs.
~ Cheetahs have non-retractable claws which are blunt from running.
~ Cheetahs also have a curved dewclaw on their forelegs (above the rear of the foot), a modified first toe. This claw is sharp and they use it to swipe at prey when it is close or to trip prey up.
~ Their distinctive black facial markings may protect against the sun's glare and help them to focus on prey.
~ Mothers invest a lot of time teaching her cubs how to hunt. She will try to bring back small live prey (antelope calf) so her cubs can practice.

Group

Adult cheetahs are mostly solitary and can be nomadic but males, usually related i.e. from the same litter, may form groups called coalitions. They will defend their territory against other males. Males will only leave for a few days to find a mate. Females will sometimes follow prey around (if their prey is migratory). If their prey is non-migratory, she will form a small territory that often overlaps with other cheetah territories.

Breeding & lifespan

The gestation period is 3 months. A litter is usually 3-5 cubs (or kittens) and they weigh 150 - 400 grams. They open their eyes between days 4 and 11. Cubs stay with their mother for 13-20 months. Unfortunately, there is a high mortality rate for cheetah cubs - only 5% make it to adulthood.
Lifespan in the wild is unknown but estimated to be about 10 years. Studies have found many older cheetahs in poor health due to broken teeth which affects their ability to feed properly.

Predators & threats

Adult cheetahs are rarely preyed on but lions, hyenas and leopards may prey on cubs. Lions and hyenas displace cheetahs so many cheetahs end up living outside of protected sanctuaries. This can make them more vulnerable to being killed by farmers in retaliation for livestock deaths. Poaching of cheetahs for their skins is still a problem and they are also illegally caught for the live exotic pet trade. Habitat loss is also a threat to cheetahs.