General: Large, slender, rangy African cat. Similar to leopard at first sight. Howerver, it is much taller - longer in the leg - and more delicately built. While the legs are longer in comparison to the leopard, the tail is shorter. 'Tear marks' in face immediately set it apart from the leopard.

Base colour varies with area and age, from a light straw yellow, to a darker brownish yellow colour. Marked with round black spots - not rosettes. Two black rings near white tail tip.


Unlike the leopard, lion and all the smaller cats, the cheetah cannot fully retract its claws.

Cheetah hunt by speed and are, therefore, mostly diurnal. Speeds of about 100 kph (60 mph) are maintained easily over long distances. When pursuing prey, acceleration of 0 to 100 kph in 3 seconds, and sprints of up to 125 kph (75 mph) over distances up to about 500 m have been recorded!

Range: Africa south of the Sahara. Now doubtful in North East Africa, Arabia, Turkmenistan/Baluchistan and Afghanistan. Extinct in India.

Habitat: Prefers open Savannah.

Food: Usually feeds on small game, such as hares, spring hares, guineafow, bustards and other game birds and even ostrich. Also warthog, the smaller antelope, and the young of the larger ones, even those of wildebest and zebra.

Habits: Usually operates in pairs (male and female or two males) or small family groups. Singles out a prey animal and stalks it until in range, then puts on a burst of speed to get up to its victim. When overtaking the prey, tries to trip up the hind legs and roll the animal, then immediately fastens onto the windpipe and kills by strangulation. Is often robbed of its prey by hyaena or lion.

Sounds: A bird-like chirping call. Hissing and spitting like any cat, and a low growl. Also purrs.

Endnotes:
{endnote}For more photographs, please go to the Gallery section.{/endnote}
{endnote} Most pictures in our articles can be enlarged by simply clicking on the picture.{/endnote}
{endnote} Images are © Copyright Game and Gun (G Grohmann and H Grohmann).{/endnote}
{endnote} Images may not be used in any format without the written consent of Game and Gun.{/endnote}