A little Bit of History...
Cheetahs have been around for millions of years. Fossil evidence shows that their earliest ancestors lived in North America, and that today’s cheetahs likely descended from species that migrated to Asia and Africa around 100,000 years ago. Over time, cheetahs spread across Africa, the Middle East, and into India, becoming one of the most widespread cats on the planet. Their historic range stretched from Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula to central India and Tajikistan, and throughout most of Africa.
Unfortunately, humans changed everything. As agriculture expanded and European settlers moved into new regions, cheetahs were often seen as threats to livestock and were hunted as “vermin.” By the 1970s, their numbers and habitat had dropped drastically. Today, cheetahs survive in just a fraction of their former range.
Where Do They Live?
Cheetahs live mostly in Africa, with a very small population hanging on in Iran. Their range might not be as big as it once was, but the habitats they still occupy some of the most breathtaking places on Earth.
Most wild cheetahs live in Southern and Eastern Africa, where wide, open savannas and grasslands give them perfect space to run and catch prey; and a small, scattered population inhabits Northern and Western Africa's remote desserts. The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), survives in central Iran, in arid regions like the Dasht-e Kavir Desert.
Cheetahs love open habitats , they avoid thick forests and wetlands since they rely on visibility and speed to hunt. Although they’re mostly ground dwellers, cheetahs sometimes climb low trees or termite mounds to look for prey or watch out for danger.
What Do They Look Like?
Body size ~ 3.5 - 5 ft + tail length.
Body weight ~ 65 - 143 lbs.
Tan or golden-yellow fur with small, solid black spots.
What Do They Eat?
Cheetahs are carnivores that mainly eat small to medium-sized ungulates (animals with hooves). Their favorite meals include gazelles, impalas, hares, and young wildebeest. Cheetahs are daytime hunters and rely on sight to find prey. They usually eat once every two to five days, depending on success.
Gazelle
Impala
Young Wildebeest
Hare
So How Fast Are They?
They can reach speeds up to 112 km/h (70 mph), but only for short bursts of about 20–30 seconds before overheating. Their stride can stretch 6-7 meters (about 20 feet) in a single leap, and they take nearly four steps per second when running at top speed. To support that sprint, their spine acts like a spring, stretching and contracting with each stride, their claws grip the ground like cleats, and their tail works like a rudder, helping them turn quickly while chasing.
How Many Wild Cheetahs Are Left?
The cheetah is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (a worldwide index that identifies how close species are to extinction), with fewer than 7,000 individuals left in the wild. Some of the major threats include: Habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict (especially with farmers), poaching and illegal pet trade, and declining genetic diversity. Conservation groups like the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, and ZSL are working on community education, habitat protection, and breeding programs to save this incredible species.
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Fast Cheetah Facts is an independent educational website created for learning and awareness. While I strive to provide accurate, science-based information, content may evolve with new research. This site does not collect donations—please contribute only through the official websites of the conservation organizations featured here.