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 Cheetahs aka acinonyx jubatus are big cats, found primarily on the African Plains. They once roamed throughout Asia and Africa. Today only about 150 remain in Iran, and about 12,000 cheetahs live in sub-Saharan African grasslands.



 They are endangered because of decline in prey, loss of habitat, poaching, and being shot as a livestock predator.

Cheetahs are solitary except when mothers are caring for cubs. Cheetahs live in large territories that often take them outside protected areas. Cheetahs stalk their prey until they can chase it down in a 65-70 mph sprint. An average chase lasts 20 seconds. As hard as they work, cheetahs often lose their meal to larger predators, like lions, leopards, hyenas, and vultures!

 Population estimates vary from 2,000 to 15,000. IUCN classifies the cheetah as vulnerable, with the African sub-species as endangered and the Asiatic sub-species as critically endangered. The cheetah is listed as endangered.





The cheetah is carnivorous and small antelope, birds, hare, and warthogs. Cheetahs eat about 6 lbs of meat per day. A good meal is a gazelle, a gnu, a warthog, an impala, or a wildebeest calf.

The cheetah has been on the endangered species list since the 1960’s