<P> The cheetah / ˈtʃiːtə / ( Acinonyx jubatus ) is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae that occurs mainly in eastern and southern Africa and a few parts of Iran . The only extant member of the genus Acinonyx , the cheetah was first described by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1775 . The cheetah is characterised by a slender body , deep chest , spotted coat , a small rounded head , black tear - like streaks on the face , long thin legs and a long spotted tail . Its lightly built , slender form is in sharp contrast with the robust build of the big cats , making it more similar to the cougar . The cheetah reaches nearly 70 to 90 cm ( 28 to 35 in ) at the shoulder , and weighs 21 -- 72 kg ( 46 -- 159 lb ) . Though taller than the leopard , it is notably smaller than the lion . Typically yellowish tan or rufous to greyish white , the coat is uniformly covered with nearly 2,000 solid black spots . </P>
<P> The cheetah / ˈtʃiːtə / ( Acinonyx jubatus ) is a large felid of the subfamily Felinae that occurs mainly in eastern and southern Africa and a few parts of Iran . The only extant member of the genus Acinonyx , the cheetah was first described by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1775 . The cheetah is characterised by a slender body , deep chest , spotted coat , a small rounded head , black tear - like streaks on the face , long thin legs and a long spotted tail . Its lightly built , slender form is in sharp contrast with the robust build of the big cats , making it more similar to the cougar . The cheetah reaches nearly 70 to 90 cm ( 28 to 35 in ) at the shoulder , and weighs 21 -- 72 kg ( 46 -- 159 lb ) . Though taller than the leopard , it is notably smaller than the lion . Typically yellowish tan or rufous to greyish white , the coat is uniformly covered with nearly 2,000 solid black spots . </P>
what is the scientific name of the cheetah
what is the scientific name of the cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
Acinonyx jubatus