North African Cheetah

North African cheetahs are a subspecies of cheetah found in the Northern regions of Africa. There are less than 7,000 of these animals left in the wild today. Nearly all wild cheetahs can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, but a small number of cheetahs still reside in northeastern Iran to this day. Cheetahs are a species of ‘big cat’ that can grow up to 1.5 metres long, or over two metres long including their tail.

Cheetahs are famous for being the fastest animals in the world, with powerful legs and large muscles, they can reach speeds of up to 75 mph.

Cheetahs are adapted to hunt and run, using their beautiful spotted coats for camouflage and semi-retractable claws to help get a grip whilst chasing prey. As with all other species of big cat, cheetahs are carnivores and will hunt during the day to avoid competition with other large carnivores, as they hunt at nighttime.

Cheetahs are usually found in groups, consisting of either a mother and her young, siblings or a coalition of males who live and hunt together. Adult females tend to be solitary, do not live in groups and only meet with males to mate.

Cheetahs are threatened by loss of habitat and prey, as well as conflict with humans such as hunting. As a result, the cheetah is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red list.

Belfast Zoo welcomed Mia, our female cheetah in 2023.