Mammals
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth, reaching 100 km/h in a few seconds. Its slender body, long rudder-like tail and the distinctive black "tear marks" running from the eyes make it unmistakable.
from€85,40
In short
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a species with IUCN conservation status VU (Vulnerable). It favours open savanna and grassland, where sight and speed matter more than ambush. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the cheetah live?
It favours open savanna and grassland, where sight and speed matter more than ambush. It hunts by day to avoid competition with lions and hyenas, which often steal its kills. It lives alone or in small coalitions of males.
Is the cheetah endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable (VU) with a declining population: about 6,500 adults remain. Threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, conflict with herders, low genetic diversity and the trafficking of cubs.
Facts about the cheetah
- It is the fastest land animal, up to 100 km/h.
- The black tear marks reduce sun glare during daytime hunting.
- Unlike other big cats, it does not roar but meows and purrs.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Acinonyx jubatus (Vulnerable)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.