The Five Different Types Of Cheetahs You Didn't Know Existed!

Cheetahs: One of the Most Amazing Animals on the Planet Cheetahs are one of the most iconic animals in the world and are known for their incredible speed. They are the fastest land animals on the planet and can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Cheetahs are found primarily in southern and eastern Africa, as well as in Iran. They are characterized by a slender body, spotted coat, black tear-like stripes, deep chest, long thin legs, and a spotted tail. The median life expectancy for cheetahs in the wild is about 12 years with the maximum longevity for cheetahs known to be 20.5 years. Since Cheetahs can’t roar, though they can purr, there's some debate over whether cheetahs are “big cats.” Some scientists argue that the term only refers to cats that are capable of roaring: lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. Still, conservation groups tend to embrace the wider definition of “big cats” which also includes snow leopards and cougars. Here is a description of the five extant subspecies of cheetahs. Tanzanian Cheetah The Tanzanian cheetah, also known as the Kenyan cheetah or the East African cheetah is native to East Africa. They are the second largest population of cheetahs after the South African subspecies, with an estimated 1,180 cheetahs still around. The average size of a Tanzanian cheetah ranges between 88 to 132 pounds in weight and 200 to 220cm in length. Their coat is pale colored and varies from white-yellowish to tannish, with round black spots everywhere except on their white bellies. Archaeologists have found remains of a Tanzania cheetah that dates back a few million years, making them the oldest subspecies of cheetah to date. Sudan Cheetah The Sudan cheetah, also known as the Somali cheetah, Central African cheetah, or Northeast African cheetah, lives in Central and Northeast Africa's savannahs, grasslands, deserts, and arid areas. The Sudan cheetah closely resembles the Tanzanian cheetah in appearance. The black dorsal spots of the cheetah are more widespread and separated but are smaller than that of the Tanzanian subspecies. Sudan cheetahs are fast, reaching speeds of 75 miles an hour. The overall population of Sudan cheetahs is estimated at 2,000 in the wild, with most found in Ethiopia. South African Cheetah The South African cheetah or the Namibian cheetah is the most numerous subspecies of cheetah, with an estimated population of 6,000 worldwide. This wild cat is medium-sized with the adult male being about 168 to 200 cm long, and weighing up to 140 pounds. Males usually live in groups whereas females lead a solitary life or with cheetah cubs. The coat of the South African cheetah is golden or bright yellow, with a white underside. The animal's spots are denser and more pronounced on the face than in the other subspecies. Northwest African Cheetah The Northwest African cheetah, also known as the Saharan cheetah or the Senegal cheetah, is native to Northwest Africa. This region includes parts of Senegal, Chad, Niger, and Ethiopia. It is one of the most threatened subspecies of cheetahs with only about 250 mature individuals surviving in the wild. The appearance of this cheetah is quite distinct from other subspecies, with a short nearly white color coat, and a face that lacks spots and missing tear stripes. They can survive extreme weather conditions, such as desert temperatures that can reach up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Asiatic Cheetah The Asiatic cheetah or the Iranian cheetah is the rarest of all cheetah subspecies and is only found in the deserts of Iran with only 70 to 100 individuals surviving. This cheetah subspecies split from its African cheetah counterpart between 32,000 and 67,000 years ago. These majestic animals are an important part of Iranian culture and history and have long been revered by the Persian people. The Asiatic cheetah lives in some of the world's harshest habitats, often at very high elevations in arid, rugged mountainous terrain with little prey and scarce resources. They are the smallest subspecies of cheetah living today. An adult Asiatic cheetah growing to about 4.5 ft in length with a tail almost 3.5 feet and weighing up to 119 lb. This cat’s fur is tan with black spots, and its fur length changes depending on the weather. Human hunting, habitat destruction, encroachment and fragmentation, conflict with farmers, and the illegal pet trade are the largest contributors to the rapid decline of all cheetah subspecies in the last 200 years. Once ranging all across Africa and Asia, and numbering over at least a few hundred thousand cats, the cheetah has been reduced to less than 5% of their population since humans began taking them and their landscape. With so few individuals remaining, the cheetah is highly endangered and is now racing for its very survival as a species. At this rate, we could lose this iconic, flagship predator within a decade or two, if these threats are not eliminated.