Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

Family

Felidae, the cat family.

Conservation Status

Vulnerable.

Distribution

Southern Africa, East Africa, parts of the Sahara and Sahel, and Central Iran.

Habitat

Desert, grassland, savannah, and arid forest.

In just a few strides, a cheetah can run as fast as a car on the freeway. While running, the cheetah’s flat-shaped tail acts like the rudder of a boat, allowing swift turns midair with superior steering and balance.

After catching their prey, cheetahs must recover and eat quickly to avoid other predators that may drive them away from their meal.

Cheetahs are primarily threatened by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. The Living Desert actively participates in cheetah conservation in the international Cheetah Public Engagement program for the Saving Species From Extinction Program and a number of international cheetah conservation organizations