The world’s fastest terrestrial animal, the cheetah is a large, greyhound-like spotted cat capable of sprinting at 75 mph in short bursts. Not a true big cat, it is the last living representative of an ancient genus that is probably ancestral to all modern felids. Unlike other cats, it has semi-retractable claws that enhance its sprinting ability.
A cheetah might be mistaken for a leopard at first glance, but it has a simpler spot pattern, a more streamlined build (like comparing a greyhound to a rottweiler) and diagnostic black ‘tear marks’ that run from the eyes down to the mouth.
Where to see Cheetah in Africa
Probably the top destinations for cheetah are Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, the Masai Mara in neighbouring Kenya, and Greater Kruger in South Africa. Cheetahs are also widespread in Namibia and Botswana. Many private reserves in South Africa host small but highly habituated cheetah populations.
Did you know?
- Those black tear lines on either side of a cheetah’s nose function like a football player’s black face paint, keeping the sun out of the big cat’s eyes while they hunt.
- Although now found in Africa, the cheetah is believed to have originated in the Americas.
- When running, cheetahs use their tail to steer, like a rudder for a boat.
- Cheetah’s claws, designed to grip the ground are non-retractable.
- Cheetah may be the fastest animal, but their great bursts of speed typically last only 20-60- seconds.
Conservation
The global cheetah population was estimated at 15,000 in the 1970s and stands at 6-7000 today. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, but it seems inevitable that this status will eventually be revised to Endangered. The most important strongholds are Namibia and Botswana, where almost 50% of the global population lives, mostly outside of protected areas. Large breeding populations also survive in Greater Kruger (South Africa) and the Serengeti-Mara (Tanzania and Kenya).
An important recent development in cheetah conservation has been a well-monitored and ongoing translocation program of different genetic lines between several dozen small reserves (mostly but not exclusively in South Africa) that couldn’t support a viable population in isolation.
Behavior
The most diurnal of cats, the cheetah is usually seen pacing restlessly through grassland, occasionally climbing onto a termite mound or fallen tree to survey for potential prey. Unlike true big cats, it cannot roar; its most common vocalization is a high-pitched twitter reminiscent of a bird or bat.
Feeding
The cheetah’s favored prey is medium-sized antelope such as impala or gazelle. A solitary hunter, it will typically creep to within 30 yards of its intended prey before bursting into a high-speed chase. Cheetahs are often chased off a fresh kill by lions or spotted hyenas, so they have evolved to gobble down up to 25lb of meat in 15 minutes.
Social Structure
As with most cats, cheetahs are generally solitary. A notable exception in some areas (particularly the Serengeti) is coalitions of two or three males – usually brothers – which tend to be almost inseparable. Mothers might move with up to five cubs, which look quite different to adults with their fluffy white manes. Males are highly territorial; females are less rigidly so and often travel long distances in search of prey.
