Cheetahs, known for their incredible speed and agility, are fascinating big cats that inhabit various parts of the world. These magnificent creatures are divided into different subspecies, each adapted to their specific environments.
Here, we explore the top 30 types of cheetahs, highlighting their unique characteristics, habitats, and conservation statuses.
Exploring the Swift Predators: Top 30 Types of Cheetahs in the World
1. Southeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
The Southeast African Cheetah, also known as the South African Cheetah, is found in countries like Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, and Mozambique.
They are characterized by their slender build, long legs, and distinctive black tear markings that run from the inner corners of their eyes down to the sides of their mouths. These cheetahs inhabit savannas, grasslands, and semi-desert areas.
- Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, semi-deserts
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
2. Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus)
The Asiatic Cheetah is critically endangered, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the wild, primarily in Iran. These cheetahs are slightly smaller and lighter than their African counterparts and have a paler coat. They inhabit arid regions, including deserts and semi-deserts.
- Habitat: Deserts, semi-deserts
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
3. Northeast African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii)
The Northeast African Cheetah, also known as the Somali Cheetah, is found in regions like Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia. They have a slightly darker coat and smaller spots compared to other cheetah subspecies. These cheetahs prefer arid environments and open grasslands.
- Habitat: Arid regions, open grasslands
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
4. Northwest African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Northwest African Cheetah, also known as the Saharan Cheetah, is critically endangered and found in countries like Algeria, Niger, and Mali. These cheetahs have a lighter coat and less pronounced spots. They inhabit the Sahara desert and other arid regions.
- Habitat: Sahara desert, arid regions
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
5. Tanzanian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi)
The Tanzanian Cheetah is found in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania and Kenya. These cheetahs are similar in appearance to the Southeast African Cheetah but are adapted to the unique ecosystems of East Africa, including savannas and open woodlands.
- Habitat: Savannas, open woodlands
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
6. Sudan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii)
The Sudan Cheetah, a subspecies of the Northeast African Cheetah, inhabits the grasslands and savannas of Sudan and surrounding regions. They are adapted to the hot, arid climate of the area and have similar characteristics to other Northeast African Cheetahs.
- Habitat: Grasslands, savannas
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
7. Zanzibar Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi)
The Zanzibar Cheetah, also part of the East African subspecies, was once found in the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. This cheetah is believed to be extinct due to habitat loss and hunting.
- Habitat: Historically Zanzibar archipelago
- Conservation Status: Extinct
8. Kenyan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi)
The Kenyan Cheetah, another East African subspecies, is found in Kenya’s savannas and open plains. They have a slender build and are known for their remarkable speed and agility, adapted to chase down prey in the vast open landscapes of Kenya.
- Habitat: Savannas, open plains
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
9. Namibian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
The Namibian Cheetah is a population of the Southeast African Cheetah found in Namibia. Namibia is home to the largest population of cheetahs in the world. These cheetahs are well adapted to the arid and semi-arid environments of Namibia.
- Habitat: Arid and semi-arid environments
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
10. Angolan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
The Angolan Cheetah is another population of the Southeast African Cheetah, found in Angola. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s savannas and open grasslands, and like other cheetahs, they are known for their incredible speed and hunting prowess.
- Habitat: Savannas, open grasslands
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
11. Botswana Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
The Botswana Cheetah is a population of the Southeast African Cheetah found in Botswana. These cheetahs thrive in the country’s diverse habitats, including savannas, grasslands, and the Kalahari Desert. They are known for their speed and agility, which help them hunt in open landscapes.
- Habitat: Savannas, grasslands, Kalahari Desert
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
12. Zambian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
The Zambian Cheetah is another population of the Southeast African Cheetah found in Zambia. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s open grasslands and savannas, and they are adapted to the hot and dry climate of the region.
- Habitat: Open grasslands, savannas
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
13. Zimbabwean Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
The Zimbabwean Cheetah is found in Zimbabwe and is part of the Southeast African Cheetah subspecies. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s savannas and grasslands and are known for their remarkable hunting skills and adaptability.
- Habitat: Savannas, grasslands
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
14. Malawi Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus)
The Malawi Cheetah is a population of the Southeast African Cheetah found in Malawi. These cheetahs are adapted to the country’s diverse landscapes, including savannas and open woodlands, and play a crucial role in the local ecosystem.
- Habitat: Savannas, open woodlands
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
15. Ugandan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi)
The Ugandan Cheetah, part of the East African subspecies, is found in Uganda. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s savannas and open plains, where they hunt antelopes and other small to medium-sized ungulates.
- Habitat: Savannas, open plains
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
16. Rwandan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi)
The Rwandan Cheetah, another population of the East African subspecies, is found in Rwanda’s savannas and grasslands. These cheetahs are known for their speed and hunting prowess, which enable them to thrive in open landscapes.
- Habitat: Savannas, grasslands
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
17. Burundian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus raineyi)
The Burundian Cheetah, part of the East African subspecies, is found in Burundi. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s open grasslands and savannas, where they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
- Habitat: Open grasslands, savannas
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
18. Ethiopian Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii)
The Ethiopian Cheetah, a subspecies of the Northeast African Cheetah, is found in Ethiopia. These cheetahs are adapted to the arid and semi-arid regions of the country and are known for their resilience and adaptability.
- Habitat: Arid and semi-arid regions
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
19. Somali Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii)
The Somali Cheetah, also known as the Northeast African Cheetah, is found in Somalia. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s arid and semi-arid landscapes, where they hunt small to medium-sized prey.
- Habitat: Arid and semi-arid landscapes
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
20. South Sudan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii)
The South Sudan Cheetah, another population of the Northeast African Cheetah, is found in South Sudan. These cheetahs thrive in the country’s grasslands and savannas, where they play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling prey populations.
- Habitat: Grasslands, savannas
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
21. Chad Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii)
The Chad Cheetah, part of the Northeast African subspecies, is found in Chad. These cheetahs inhabit the Sahel region and other arid environments. Adapted to the harsh climate, they are known for their endurance and ability to cover large distances in search of prey.
- Habitat: Sahel, arid regions
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable
22. Niger Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Niger Cheetah, a population of the Northwest African subspecies, is found in Niger. These cheetahs inhabit the Sahara Desert and surrounding areas. They are critically endangered, facing severe threats from habitat loss and human conflict.
- Habitat: Sahara Desert, arid regions
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
23. Mauritania Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Mauritania Cheetah, also part of the Northwest African subspecies, is found in Mauritania. These cheetahs are adapted to the harsh desert environment and are among the most endangered cheetah populations due to poaching and habitat encroachment.
- Habitat: Desert, arid regions
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
24. Mali Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Mali Cheetah, another critically endangered population of the Northwest African subspecies, is found in Mali. These cheetahs survive in the sparse landscapes of the Sahel and the fringes of the Sahara, requiring large territories to find sufficient prey.
- Habitat: Sahel, desert fringes
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
25. Burkina Faso Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Burkina Faso Cheetah, also part of the Northwest African subspecies, is found in Burkina Faso. These cheetahs inhabit savannas and semi-arid regions, where they play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance by controlling prey populations.
- Habitat: Savannas, semi-arid regions
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
26. Benin Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Benin Cheetah, found in Benin, is another population of the critically endangered Northwest African subspecies. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s grasslands and savannas, facing threats from habitat loss and human encroachment.
- Habitat: Grasslands, savannas
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
27. Ivory Coast Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Ivory Coast Cheetah is found in the savannas and forest edges of Ivory Coast. This critically endangered population of the Northwest African subspecies faces significant threats from habitat fragmentation and human activities.
- Habitat: Savannas, forest edges
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
28. Ghana Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Ghana Cheetah, also part of the Northwest African subspecies, is found in Ghana. These cheetahs inhabit open savannas and grasslands, where they are increasingly threatened by habitat conversion for agriculture and poaching.
- Habitat: Open savannas, grasslands
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
29. Togo Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Togo Cheetah, found in Togo, is another population of the critically endangered Northwest African subspecies. These cheetahs live in fragmented habitats due to agricultural expansion and face severe threats from human activities.
- Habitat: Fragmented habitats, agricultural regions
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
30. Senegal Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki)
The Senegal Cheetah, part of the Northwest African subspecies, is found in Senegal. These cheetahs inhabit the country’s savannas and semi-arid regions, facing critical threats from habitat loss and hunting.
- Habitat: Savannas, semi-arid regions
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Conclusion
Cheetahs are extraordinary animals, each subspecies adapted to thrive in specific environments. However, all cheetah populations face significant threats, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.
Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these magnificent creatures and ensure their survival for future generations. By raising awareness and supporting conservation programs, we can contribute to the preservation of these swift and graceful predators.
