Cheetahs

The fastest land animal, the cheetah can reach more than 100 kilometres per hour over short distances. Its slim build and the "tear marks" on its face set it apart from other big cats.

Lengte: 1,1–1,5 m
Gewicht: 21–72 kg
Levensduur in het wild: 10–12 jaar
Beschermingsstatus (IUCN): Kwetsbaar (VU)

Waarden zijn bij benadering voor volwassen dieren en verschillen per geslacht, ondersoort en populatie.

In één oogopslag

De belangrijkste feiten over Jachtluipaarden.

Where does it live?Most cheetahs live in the open savannas and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa.
What does it eat?It is a carnivore that feeds on small and medium antelopes such as gazelles and impalas, as well as hares and birds.
Behaviour and social lifeFemales usually live alone apart from their cubs.
CubsAfter a pregnancy of about three months, a female has on average 3–5 cubs.

Uitgebreid

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Wilde dieren zijn geen huisdieren. Vind je een gewond of jong wild dier, raak het dan niet aan en neem contact op met de plaatselijke dierenambulance of wildopvang.

In het kort

The cheetah is the fastest animal on land.
It can hold its top speed only over a short distance.
It mostly hunts by day, which reduces encounters with lions and leopards that hunt at night.
Unlike other big cats, it cannot roar; instead it makes chirping sounds.
The IUCN lists the cheetah as Vulnerable; habitat loss and conflict with people are the main threats.

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a slender, long-legged cat built for speed. The black "tear marks" running from the inner corners of its eyes to its mouth are thought to reduce the sun's glare and help it see prey.

Where does it live?

Most cheetahs live in the open savannas and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. A very small population, the Asiatic cheetah, struggles to survive in Iran.

What does it eat?

It is a carnivore that feeds on small and medium antelopes such as gazelles and impalas, as well as hares and birds. It stalks close to its prey and then launches a short, very fast chase that usually ends within a few hundred metres.

Females usually live alone apart from their cubs. Males often form small groups called coalitions, usually with their brothers. Cheetahs typically hunt by day, which lowers the risk of meeting lions and hyenas that are active at night. Even so, they often lose their kills to stronger predators.

Cubs

After a pregnancy of about three months, a female has on average 3–5 cubs. The long grey fur on the cubs' backs is thought to help protect them from predators. Cub mortality is high.

Conservation status

The cheetah is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Because cheetahs need very large areas, they are hit hard by fragmented habitat. Conflict with farmers and the illegal pet trade are also serious threats.

Fun facts

A cheetah's claws are only partly retractable, which helps it grip the ground while running.
Its long tail helps it balance during sharp turns.
Cheetahs cannot roar, but they can purr.