Taxonomy
Cheetahs belong to the subfamily Felinae and the genus Acinonyx. There are currently five subspecies of cheetahs recognized, based on their geographical distribution and minor morphological differences: Acinonyx jubatus jubatus, Acinonyx jubatus raineyi, Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii, Acinonyx jubatus hecki, and Acinonyx jubatus venaticus.
Habitat and Distribution
Cheetahs prefer open and arid landscapes, such as savannas, grasslands, and deserts. They can be found in various African countries, such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia, as well as in a few areas in Iran.
Behavior and Diet
Cheetahs are diurnal animals, which means that they are most active during the day. They are solitary hunters and usually hunt small to medium-sized prey, such as gazelles, impalas, hares, and birds. They are also known to occasionally prey on larger animals, such as wildebeests and zebras, but such hunts are rare.
Mode and Style of Hunting
Cheetahs use their speed and agility to catch their prey. They usually stalk their prey until they are within a short distance, and then they sprint towards them at an incredible speed of up to 70 mph. They can maintain this speed for short bursts of up to 30 seconds, but they quickly get tired and need to rest after a chase. Cheetahs are known to be the fastest land animals on the planet.
Body Anatomy
Cheetahs have a unique body anatomy that is adapted for speed. They have a slender and streamlined body, long legs, and a flexible spine. They also have a small head with short jaws and large nostrils, which allows them to take in more air when running. Cheetahs are also recognizable by their distinctive black spots on their coat, which helps to camouflage them in their habitat.
Mating and Propagation
Cheetahs are polygamous animals, which means that males mate with multiple females. The mating season occurs throughout the year, but it peaks between December and March. After a gestation period of 90-95 days, females give birth to a litter of 2-8 cubs, which they raise on their own. The cubs stay with their mother for about 1.5-2 years before becoming independent.
Territorialism and Casualties
Cheetahs are territorial animals and mark their territories with urine and feces. They are not aggressive towards other cheetahs, but they may fight over territories or mates. In the wild, cheetahs face several threats, such as habitat loss, human persecution, and competition with other predators. They are also vulnerable to diseases and genetic disorders due to their low genetic diversity. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), cheetahs are listed as vulnerable, with a population decline of at least 30% in the last three generations.
Regions of Occurrence and Prey
Cheetahs are found in various African countries, such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia. They prefer open and arid landscape.