Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus · The cheetah is a slim, spotted big cat and the fastest land animal, living mainly in the savannas and deserts of Africa, with a small population in central Iran.

Also called Hunting Leopard, King cheetah.

Cheetah
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Cheetah
Photo: Joachim Huber, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cheetah
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderCarnivora
FamilyFelidae
GenusAcinonyx
SpeciesAcinonyx jubatus

Where it lives

Open grasslands of eastern and southern Africa; a few remain in Iran.

Fun facts

  • A cheetah can speed up from 0 to 97 km/h (60 mph) in less than 3 seconds.
  • During more than half of a sprint, a galloping cheetah has all four feet off the ground, which stretches out its stride.
  • Every cheetah has its own pattern of spots, which can be used to tell individuals apart.
  • A cheetah can eat up to 10 kg of meat within two hours.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).