Where does the cheetah live?
The cheetah lives mostly in Africa. In the east and south it prefers savannas such as the Serengeti and the Kalahari, while in the Sahara it takes refuge in high, arid mountains. A few also survive in Iran, in hilly desert terrain up to 2,000–3,000 m above sea level. It likes open areas with a few bushes: it can see far, find prey and rarely meets larger predators.
What does the cheetah eat?
It is a pursuit predator: it stalks its prey quietly, then chases it over a distance. Its whole body is built for speed, with light bones, a very flexible spine, big lungs and a tail that works as a rudder in sharp turns. It is considered the fastest land animal, but it can only hold its top speed for a few seconds. Its claws are only partly retractable, which gives it grip but stops it from climbing trees. It cannot roar either: it meows, chirps like a bird and hisses.
Is the cheetah endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable. There were about 100,000 cheetahs in 1900, against about 7,100 in 2019 according to Wikipedia. It is losing its habitat to farming and industry, lacks prey and is often targeted by farmers protecting their livestock, since 76% of its range is unprotected land. Groups such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund, founded in Namibia in 1990, carry out research and education work.
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