Cheetah's
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a medium-sized felid native primarily to sub-Saharan Africa, with a remnant population in Iran, distinguished by its slender build, tawny coat with black spots, and distinctive facial tear streaks that reduce glare during hunts.[1][2] Adapted for cursorial predation in open grasslands and savannas, it relies on explosive acceleration, reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in three seconds over short distances of 200-300 meters, enabling it to pursue fleet prey like gazelles before overheating limits endurance.[3][1] Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the global population has plummeted from around 100,000 in 1900 to approximately 7,100 adults as of recent estimates, driven by habitat fragmentation, loss of prey from competition with larger carnivores, retaliatory killings by herders, and illegal trade in cubs and skins.[4][5] Cheetahs exhibit unique behaviors including male coalition formation for territorial defense and cooperative hunting, alongside low genetic diversity from historical bottlenecks that heightens vulnerability to diseases and reduces adaptability.[2][4] Conservation efforts focus on protected areas, anti-poaching measures, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation to avert further decline in this iconic sprinter.[3][6]