Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
Cheetah: Fastest predator of open savannas and grasslands.
| Scientific name | Acinonyx jubatus |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Duma |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Felidae |
| Size | Males: 40-65 kg; Females: 35-50 kg |
How to identify
Slender body with long, thin limbs; golden-yellow fur with black spots; distinctive black 'tear marks' on the face; black rings at the tail tip; small head with rounded ears.
Habitat
Sparse woodland savannas, open grasslands, shrublands, and semi-arid regions.
Diet
Carnivorous, primarily preying on gazelles, antelopes, small mammals, and birds.
When it is active
Diurnal, mainly active during early morning and late afternoon.
Where it lives
Primarily distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti.
How to spot it
Observe in open grasslands at dawn or dusk, maintain silence and distance, use binoculars or telephoto lenses.
Photography tips
Use telephoto lenses to capture running moments, utilize natural light to highlight the 'tear marks', and keep backgrounds simple to emphasize the cheetah’s spots.
Threats
Habitat loss, prey decline, human-wildlife conflict, illegal hunting, and reduced genetic diversity.
Similar species
Leopard (Panthera pardus) is more robust with rosette-shaped spots; Lion (Panthera leo) is larger and lacks spots.
