Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Fact Sheet: Summary

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Subfamily: Felinae — lynx, bobcat, caracal, puma lineage (includes cheetah), fishing cat, ocelot, margay, jaguarundi, serval

Genus: Acinonyx

Species: Acinonyx jubatus (Schreber, 1776)

*Subspecies: A. j. hecki
Subspecies: A. j. jubatus
Subspecies: A. j. soemmeringii
Subspecies: A. j. venaticus

*Subspecies may be further merged in the future.

Head/Body Length: 112-135 cm (44-53 inches)

Tail Length: 66-84 cm (26-33 inches)

Weight: 39-65 kg (86-143 lbs)

Coat: Tawny to light brown with white underparts. Small and large, solid black spots. Regional variants exist.

Range: Widespread in southern and eastern Africa; a small population persists in Iran.

Habitat: Semi-open country with cover.

IUCN Status:
Vulnerable (some subspecies Critically Endangered).

CITES Status:
Appendix I (all subspecies)

Population in Wild: approximately 7,100 individuals (2017 estimate)

Speed: 64 mph (103 kph)

Activity Cycle: Diurnal, most active in daytime between 07:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00.

Social Groups: Males may form coalition groups; females are solitary except when caring for cubs.

Communication: Wide variety of calls. Males use urine and feces to delimit territory.

Diet: Carnivorous.

Predators: Lions, hyenas, and humans

Gestation: 90-98 days

Litter Size: 3-4 usual; up to 8

Birth Weight: 150-350 g (0.33-0.77 lbs)

Typical Life Expectancy:
Wild populations: typical life expectancy of about 6-7 years for females, about 8 years for males; more research needed (on more populations)
Managed care: median life expectancy of about 12 years

Featured Facts

• Five subspecies are recognized by DNA study
• Cheetahs can endure wide extremes in temperatures (0-45ºC)
• Found in both arid and semi-arid habitats
• Average speed during chase of prey is 64 kph (40 mph), but top speed is 112 kph (70 mph) lasting only about 20 seconds.
• Species is classified as vulnerable, but some subspecies are considered endangered mainly due to habitat fragmentation and competition from other large carnivores for their kills
• The San Diego Zoo acquired its first cheetahs in 1939.
• "Juba," born at the Wild Animal Park in 1970, was the first zoo-born cheetah to survive infancy. More than 125 cheetah cubs have been born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.