Cheetah

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a species of large feline and the only living member of the genus Acinonyx. Known for its incredible speed, the cheetah is the fastest land animal, able to run up to 104 km/h (65 mph). Its fur is tawny or pale with black spots, and it has a small head with distinctive black facial streaks.

Originally from Africa, cheetahs were also introduced to India recently in 2022 and can be found in various habitats like savannahs in the Serengeti and arid regions in the Sahara. They live in social groups, with females and their cubs roaming large areas while males stay in smaller territories.

Cheetahs hunt during the day, especially at dawn and dusk, targeting small to medium-sized animals like impala, springbok, and Thomson's gazelles. After a nearly three-month gestation, females give birth to litters of three or four cubs, who stay with their mother for about four months before becoming independent around 20 months old.

Today, cheetahs face threats such as habitat loss and conflicts with humans, with their population estimated at around 6,500 individuals. They are considered Vulnerable and are often featured in art, literature, and animation. Cheetahs have also been kept in zoos since the early 19th century.

Etymology

The word "cheetah" comes from words in Urdu, Hindi, and Sanskrit, meaning something like "variegated" or "painted". In the past, people sometimes called cheetahs "hunting leopards" because they could be trained to help chase animals.

The scientific name Acinonyx comes from ancient Greek words meaning "immobile nails", referring to the cheetah’s claws, which cannot be retracted like those of other cats. The name jubatus is a Latin word meaning "crested, having a mane".

Taxonomy

In 1777, a scientist named Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber described the cheetah and gave it a special scientific name. Later, another scientist named Joshua Brookes suggested putting the cheetah in its own special group. Because the cheetah looks a lot like a greyhound and is different from other cats, it was given its own subfamily.

Over time, scientists have studied many cheetahs and sometimes thought they found new types, or subspecies. There was even a cheetah with very thick fur that some called the "woolly cheetah." But scientists have learned that there are only four true subspecies of cheetahs today.

Phylogeny and evolution

The cheetah's closest relatives are the cougar and the jaguarundi. Together, these three animals form a group called the Puma lineage, which is one of the eight groups of living felids. The oldest cheetah fossils found in Africa are about 3.5 to 3 million years old. These early cheetahs were larger but slower than today's cheetahs. The modern cheetah appeared in Africa around 1.9 million years ago.

Scientists have found fossils of cheetah-like cats in Europe and Asia as well. One large, slower cheetah lived in Eurasia and Africa from about 3.8 to 1.9 million years ago. The cheetah may have evolved in North America and later moved to Asia and Africa. It is believed that the cheetah went through two periods when its numbers dropped sharply, which reduced its genetic diversity.

Genetics

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

There are also special cheetahs called king cheetahs, which have a rare pattern of cream-colored fur with large, blotchy spots and three dark stripes running from their neck to their tail. These king cheetahs are very unusual and were first seen in Zimbabwe. Scientists later found that this special look is caused by a change in a gene that also affects the coat patterns of house cats.

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 covered with unique black spots, which help identify each individual. Their bodies are built for speed, with powerful muscles in their hindlimbs and a flexible spine.

Cheetahs have special features that help them run quickly, such as long legs and a strong tail for balance. Their spots are not like the rosettes of leopards, and they have distinctive black streaks around their eyes. These streaks might protect their eyes from the sun or help with expressions. Cheetahs also have a lightweight skull and strong jaws, which help them catch and eat their prey efficiently.

Distribution and habitat

The cheetah lives mainly in eastern and southern Africa, especially in places like the Kalahari and Serengeti. In other parts of Africa, it can be found in dry mountain areas and even in the Sahara’s high mountains where there is more rain. In Iran, cheetahs live in hilly desert areas up to 2,000–3,000 metres tall.

Cheetahs adapt to many different environments but prefer areas where they can easily see their prey and avoid larger animals. They like open spaces with some bushes for hiding. Cheetahs are not very common, usually found in small numbers spread out over large areas.

Ecology and behaviour

Cheetahs are mostly active during the day, while other big cats like lions and hyenas are more active at night. This helps cheetahs avoid fights and keeps them safer. They hunt mostly at dawn and dusk, resting in quiet spots during the day. Cheetahs watch for prey or bigger animals from high points and stay alert even while resting.

Cheetahs have flexible social lives. Males sometimes work together in groups to protect their area and find mates, while females usually live alone with their babies. Young males often leave home to join other groups or live alone. Females rarely interact with others except during mating time. Cheetahs communicate using sounds like chirping and purring, and they also use smells by marking spots with urine. They hunt small to medium animals like gazelles, using their speed to chase them down. Cheetahs can run very fast—up to 93–104 km/h (58–65 mph)—to catch their food.

When cheetahs have babies, the mother hides them well and takes good care of them for the first few months. Baby cheetahs start learning to hunt by watching their mother and practicing. Most baby cheetahs face dangers from other animals, but those that survive can live up to 15 years in the wild.

Threats

The cheetah faces many challenges that make it harder for them to survive. One big problem is losing their homes because of things like farms and factories, which take away the space they need to live. This is made even harder when plants grow too thickly in places where cheetahs live, especially in southern Africa. Cheetahs also struggle when there isn’t enough food because other animals or people take away their prey.

Unfortunately, cheetahs sometimes clash with people who are trying to protect their animals from being hurt. In places like Namibia, farmers may try to stop cheetahs from getting close to their livestock. Other dangers include being caught in illegal trade or getting hurt on roads that cut through their habitats. Because cheetahs don’t have much genetic diversity, they can be more affected by illnesses, though this is less of a problem because their numbers are already quite low.

Conservation

The cheetah is considered Vulnerable and is protected by 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, efforts to protect cheetahs began in the 1970s when people realized how important these animals are. Special centers like the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre in South Africa started caring for injured cheetahs. Today, many programs work to protect cheetahs, including the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, which studies cheetahs and teaches others about them.

In Asia, countries like Iran have worked hard to protect the Asiatic cheetah. In India, there were plans to bring cheetahs from Africa to help increase their numbers. After many discussions, cheetahs were brought to India in 2022 and have since had many babies, though some have sadly passed away.

Interaction with humans

The cheetah has been kept as a companion animal since ancient times. Early pictures of cheetahs can be found in caves in France, dating back thousands of years. Historians believe cheetahs were first tamed in places like Sumer and later in Egypt. In Egypt, cheetahs were special pets for royalty, often wearing beautiful collars and leashes. Ancient Egyptians thought cheetahs would carry the spirits of pharaohs away.

Cheetahs have also appeared in art and culture for many years. They have been shown in paintings, such as in a work by the artist Titian, where cheetahs pull a chariot. In other artworks, cheetahs are shown with people, showing how they have been valued and admired throughout history.

Cheetahs have also been kept in zoos. The first cheetah in a zoo was shown in London in 1829. Over time, more cheetahs have been born in zoos rather than taken from the wild. However, cheetahs in zoos can face health challenges and need special care to stay healthy and happy.