Adaptations
Long legs, a flexible spine, enlarged airways, a deep chest, and a balancing tail support short high-speed chases. Dark facial lines may reduce glare, while spotted fur helps hide the cat in broken grassland light.
Behavior and daily life
Females usually live alone except when raising cubs. Males may be solitary or form stable coalitions, often with brothers. Cheetahs commonly hunt during daylight and eat quickly because larger predators can displace them from kills.
Conservation
Current profile labelVulnerable
Cheetahs need extensive connected landscapes and adequate wild prey. Habitat conversion, conflict with livestock owners, illegal trade, and isolation of small populations continue to limit recovery.
Semi-retractable claws and specialized paw pads give a running cheetah extra traction compared with most cats.
