They have a lean body, small head, long legs, and nonretractable claws that give them a strong grip on the ground. Their body is about four feet long, not including the tail, and cheetahs stand over three feet tall at the shoulder. Top speeds for cheetahs range from 55 to 70 miles per hour, but only for a maximum of 400 yards. Cheetahs are found in many countries of eastern and southern Africa, with large populations in Namibia and the Serengeti Plains. Cheetahs are solitary hunters and come together only at breeding, though males may form lifelong coalitions of two or three individuals.
Cheetahs live on grassy plains and savannahs where they hunt their principal prey, small antelope.
There are an estimated 9,000 - 12,000 cheetahs in the wild. The greatest threat to the continued viability of the wild population is habitat depletion due to human settlement. Cheetahs also have been hunted as a livestock predator and occasionally for their fur. In addition to the research and breeding efforts underway within the SSP, a Population Habitat Viability Analysis was held in Namibia in 1996 to address the issues facing cheetah conservation. The workshop addressed the threats to cheetahs in the wild and work continues in Africa to ensure its long-term survival.