Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
Weight: 30-72
kg. Males are heavier than females.
Habitat: They
are distributed primarily throughout the drier parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Although they are
most frequently observed on open grassy plains, they also make extensive
use of bush, scrub, and open woodlands.
Age to Maturity: Females 24-36 months; males 30-36 months.
Gestation Period: 90-98 days.
Birth Season: Year round.
Maximum Age: 12-14 years (captivity: up to 21 years).
Diet: Gazelles
are generally the main prey species.
Threats:
In the past, captivity, sport hunting, and the fur market all contributed
to a decline. Habitats have been reduced by agriculture, degradation of
rangelands and competition from domestic stock, following increasing
occupation of the habitat by human communities.
