The fastest land animal and the most iconic pursuit predator, the cheetah is a diurnal carnivore whose earliest depictions date back to 3000 BCE. During ancient times, they were kept as pets by royalty and used as hunting companions in Egypt and the Middle East. Today, cheetah zoo exhibits are among the few places where one can see this majestic animal up close, with some subspecies classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered.
Cheetah
Zone
Africa
Scientific name
Acinonyx jubatus
IUCN Red List status
Vulnerable (VU) (global)
Endangered (E) (Mediterranean)
Natural habitat
Cheetahs reside in a variety of landscapes, including grassy lands, savannahs, and shrublands, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. They have also adapted to deserts and the mountainous regions of Africa.
Dietary Requirements
Cheetahs are carnivores and highly skilled hunters. They prey on small ungulates such as impalas, gazelles, and young wildebeests. They also hunt other species of herbivores, including birds.
Threats
Cheetah habitat loss and fragmentation are among the most apparent threats to their population. They also experience the effects of depleted prey base and some conflict with humans, with poaching and illegal wildlife trade a major concern.
Conservation
Conservation efforts include protection of habitat, combined with community education on the value of wildlife. Various programs also support reintroduction of cheetahs raised in captivity and the promotion of anti-poaching activities in protected reserves.
Did you know?Cheetah speed can reach up to 60 to 70 miles per hour, making it the fastest land mammal on Earth.
Did you know?Male cheetahs live in solitude, forming 15- to 20-square-mile territories. Meanwhile females, particularly mothers, stay with their cubs for about 18 months from their birth.
About Al Ain Zoo
About Al Ain Zoo
A Pioneering Vision
Established in 1968 by the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Ain Zoo has been in the forefront of preserving the region’s wildlife and delicate ecosystem, while caring for hundreds of endangered animals.
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