Acinonyx jubatus

Throughout history, cheetahs have captivated human imagination, appearing in ancient Egyptian art, Persian poetry, and royal courts as symbols of grace and swiftness. They were once tamed for hunting by nobility across Asia and Africa. Today, the cheetah’s image is celebrated in modern media, conservation campaigns, and sports branding, embodying speed, elegance, and the fragility of wild nature.

• Cheetahs can accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h (60 mph) in just a few seconds.
• Unlike most cats, cheetahs have semi-retractable claws for better traction during sprints.
• Their population in Iran, the Asiatic cheetah, numbers fewer than 50 individuals.
• Cheetahs have extremely low genetic diversity, making them vulnerable to disease and reproductive challenges.
• Cubs are born with a mantle of long, silvery hair that helps camouflage them in grass.

Historically, cheetahs roamed Africa, the Middle East, and India. Today, their range is fragmented, with most found in southern and eastern Africa—countries like Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, and Kenya. The last Asiatic cheetahs survive only in isolated patches of Iran, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining.

Cheetahs prefer open savannahs, grasslands, and semi-desert environments where their speed is most effective for hunting. They play a crucial ecological role as top predators, controlling populations of medium-sized herbivores. Their diurnal habits reduce competition with nocturnal carnivores, but also expose them to threats from lions, hyenas, and leopards.

The cheetah is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a global population estimated at around 6,700 mature individuals. The Asiatic subspecies (A. j. venaticus) is Critically Endangered, with fewer than 50 left in Iran. Declining numbers are driven by habitat loss, human conflict, and prey depletion, making conservation efforts urgent.

Major threats to cheetahs include habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, illegal pet trade, and competition with larger carnivores. Prey depletion due to overhunting and land conversion further endangers their survival. Low genetic diversity exacerbates vulnerability to disease and reproductive issues.

Cheetahs are built for speed: their enlarged nasal passages and lungs support rapid oxygen intake, while large adrenal glands fuel intense sprints. Semi-retractable claws provide traction, and a flexible spine enables long strides. Their lightweight frame and deep chest maximize acceleration, but these adaptations come at the cost of reduced strength and climbing ability compared to other cats.

Cheetahs are polygynous, with females raising cubs alone. After a gestation of 90–95 days, litters of 2–8 cubs are born. Cubs are vulnerable to predation and rely on their mother’s protection for several months. Juveniles gradually learn to hunt and disperse at 18–24 months. Males may form coalitions, while females remain solitary except when caring for young.

• Southern African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus): The most numerous, found across southern Africa.
• Northeast African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii): Occurs in parts of northeast Africa.
• Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus): Critically endangered, surviving only in Iran.

Genetic analyses reveal the cheetah’s basal position within Felinae and exceptionally low genetic diversity, a consequence of ancient population bottlenecks. The genome has been sequenced, uncovering adaptations for speed and challenges in reproduction. DNA barcodes are available, and ongoing research aims to clarify subspecies boundaries and support conservation breeding programs.