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Cheetah
Jagluiperd · Acinonyx jubatus
A slender, long-legged cat built for speed, with a small head and a deep chest. Its coat is covered in solid black dots and it has two dark 'tear lines' running from the eyes to the mouth. Cheetahs hunt by day, using bursts of incredible speed to chase down gazelle and impala across open ground.
Log your Cheetah sighting — free →How to identify it
The black tear-line down each cheek plus solid round spots set it apart from the rosette-spotted leopard.
Look for its tracks
Cat-shaped but the claw tips DO show (only half-retract) — unlike lion or leopard; slim, narrow toes.
Where to see it in Kruger
Favours open plains where it can run; the central and southern grasslands offer the best chance of a sighting.
Did you know
A cheetah can sprint faster than a car on a highway, reaching about 100 km/h in just a few seconds.
Often confused with
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