Cheetah

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a species of large feline and the only living member of the genus Acinonyx. Known as the fastest land animal, it can run at speeds of 93–104 km/h (58–65 mph). This amazing speed comes from its powerful hindlimb muscles, long limbs, and flexible spine. Cheetahs have beautiful tawny to creamy white fur marked with solid black spots, and they grow to be about 67–94 cm (2.20–3.08 ft) tall at the shoulder.

Cheetahs were first scientifically described in the late 18th century and are native to Africa and central Iran. One African subspecies was introduced to India in 2022. They live in various habitats, including savannahs like the Serengeti, arid mountain ranges in the Sahara, and hilly desert terrain. Cheetahs are social animals, living in groups of females with their cubs, male "coalitions," or as solitary males.

These big cats are active during the day and hunt small- to medium-sized prey such as impala, springbok, and Thomson's gazelles. After a chase, they use a quick throat bite to catch their food. Females give birth to litters of three or four cubs, who stay with their mother for about four months before being weaned and around 20 months before becoming independent. Unfortunately, cheetahs face threats from habitat loss, conflicts with humans, poaching, and diseases. Their population is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Etymology

The word "cheetah" comes from languages like Urdu, Hindi, and Sanskrit, where it means something like "variegated" or "painted," referring to the cheetah's spotted coat. The scientific name Acinonyx combines Greek words meaning "immobile nails," describing the cheetah's claws that cannot be retracted. The name jubatus is Latin for "crested" or "having a mane."

Taxonomy

In 1777, a scientist named Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber described the cheetah and gave it the scientific name Felis jubatus. Later, in 1828, another scientist named Joshua Brookes suggested a new name for its genus, Acinonyx. The cheetah is unique because it looks a lot like a greyhound, which set it apart from other cats.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, many cheetah specimens were studied, and some were thought to be different subspecies. For example, a South African cheetah with very thick fur was called the "woolly cheetah." Over time, scientists have debated how many true subspecies of cheetahs exist. By 2017, experts recognized four main subspecies of cheetahs based on genetic studies.

Phylogeny and evolution

The cheetah's closest relatives are the cougar and the jaguarundi. Together, these three species form the Puma lineage, which genetically diverged from other cats 6.7 million years ago. Fossil evidence shows that cheetahs have been around for at least 3.5 to 3 million years, with the modern cheetah appearing in Africa around 1.9 million years ago.

Scientists have studied cheetah fossils from Africa, Europe, and even North America. Some ancient cheetah-like cats were larger and slower than today's cheetahs. Over time, the cheetah went through periods where its numbers dropped sharply, which affected its genetic diversity.

Genetics

The cheetah has 38 chromosomes, just like most other cat species. Scientists noticed that cheetahs have very little genetic variety, which makes it hard for them to breed in captivity. This lack of variety also makes them more likely to get sick and have health problems.

There is a special type of cheetah known as the king cheetah, which has a rare mutation that gives it cream-colored fur with large, blotchy spots and three dark stripes running from its neck to its tail. These cheetahs were once thought to be a mix between a leopard and a hyena, but we now know they are just a unique variation of the cheetah.

Characteristics

The cheetah is a slim, spotted cat with a small head, long limbs, and a long tail. It is known for being the fastest land animal, able to run up to 104 km/h (65 mph). Cheetahs have a tawny to creamy white coat marked with black spots, each spot being unique to the individual cheetah. These spots help scientists identify each cheetah.

Cheetahs have special adaptations that help them run so fast. Their bodies are built for speed with powerful muscles in their hind legs and a flexible spine. They can accelerate quickly, reaching high speeds in just a few seconds. Even though they can run very fast, they usually hunt at slower speeds to catch their prey.

Distribution and habitat

The cheetah lives mostly in eastern and southern Africa, where it can be found in savannas such as the Kalahari and Serengeti. In other parts of Africa, it lives in arid mountain ranges and valleys, preferring high mountains in the Sahara where there is more rainfall. In Iran, cheetahs live in hilly desert terrain.

Cheetahs adapt to many different environments but prefer areas with plenty of prey, good visibility, and fewer large predators. They are rarely found in tropical forests and usually live in open areas with some cover, such as bushes, which help them stalk and chase their prey. Cheetahs typically exist in low numbers, with only about 0.3 to 3.0 adults per 100 square kilometers.

Ecology and behaviour

Cheetahs are mostly active during the day, unlike their larger cousins such as spotted hyenas and lions, who prefer the night. This helps cheetahs avoid fights over food. In places where cheetahs are the main hunter, like farms in Botswana and Namibia, they may hunt more at night. They also hunt more at night in very hot places such as the Sahara.

Hunting is the cheetah’s main activity, especially at dawn and dusk. They rest in groups in grassy areas after dark. Cheetahs keep watch for prey or larger animals from high points and take turns watching even while resting.

Cheetahs have flexible social lives. Females usually live alone with their babies, while males may form groups to defend areas and find mates. These male groups often consist of brothers but can include other males too. Females rarely interact with others except during mating season.

Cheetahs live in areas that vary in size depending on where they find food. Females often cover larger areas than males. Males may stay in one place or move around, depending on where females are found.

Cheetahs use many sounds to communicate, such as chirping, purring, and growling. They also use scent marking by spraying urine to show their territory. They greet each other by sniffing and grooming.

Cheetahs hunt small to medium-sized animals like gazelles and antelopes. They rely on their speed to chase down prey, often hunting during the day. After a hunt, cheetahs eat quickly and rest, as they tire easily from the sprint. They can eat a lot at once but usually consume about 4 kilograms of meat each day.

Cheetah mothers give birth to between three and eight cubs after a gestation of nearly three months. The cubs are born with their eyes closed and develop quickly, starting to explore and hunt with their mother. Young cheetahs face many dangers from predators, and only about a third survive to adulthood. Cheetahs can live up to 15 years in the wild.

Threats

The cheetah faces several challenges that make its future uncertain. One big problem is habitat loss, which happens when land is used for farming or buildings. This leaves less space for cheetahs to live and find food.

Other threats include fewer prey animals, conflicts with people who protect their livestock, and roadkill when cheetahs cross roads built through their habitats. Some areas also struggle with illegal wildlife trade, where cheetahs or their parts are taken for other uses. All these factors make it harder for cheetahs to survive in the wild.

Main article: Habitat loss

Conservation

The cheetah is considered Vulnerable and is protected under several international agreements like the IUCN Red List, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. In Africa, conservation efforts began in the 1970s when people realized how important cheetahs are. Special centers like the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre and the Cheetah Conservation Fund were created to help protect cheetahs. These groups work on research, education, and habitat restoration.

In Asia, Iran has worked with international groups to protect the Asiatic cheetah since 2001. India also planned to bring cheetahs from Africa to help increase their numbers, and in 2022, eight cheetahs were released into Kuno National Park. These cheetahs have had babies since then, though some have sadly passed away.

Interaction with humans

The cheetah has been tamed and valued by people for thousands of years. Ancient depictions of cheetahs appear in artworks from places like France, Sumer, and Egypt. In Egypt, cheetahs were special to royalty and were often given beautiful collars and leashes. They were thought to carry the spirits of deceased pharaohs. Cheetahs were also used in hunts across many cultures, from the Middle East to India.

Cheetahs have been brought into zoos since the 1800s. Early captive cheetahs often did not live very long, but today there are many cheetahs living in zoos around the world. Keeping cheetahs in captivity can be challenging because they are sensitive to stress and need special care to stay healthy.