Living BeingsCompare species
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
African Golden Cat
Caracal auratus
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Cheetah | African Golden Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | A small rounded head, spotted coat and long legs produce a slender outline. Dark facial lines extend below the eyes. | The body is robust and the coat varies between reddish and grayish forms. Spotting can be more visible on some parts of the body. |
| Habitat and range | Grassland, dry open country and other habitats with space for pursuit are used. | Dense African forest and secondary growth provide cover and hunting habitat. |
| Diet and nutrition | Gazelles and other small to medium-sized mammals are important prey. Actual prey varies with location and opportunity. | Rodents and other forest mammals are important prey. Birds and additional small animals may also be taken. |
| Behavior and activity | Social organization differs between individuals: some males associate in coalitions, while females raising young face different demands. | It is generally solitary and difficult to observe in dense cover. Sparse observations should not be treated as a complete account of its daily behavior. |
| Geographic distribution | The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Iran, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Djibouti?, Egypt?, Eritrea?, Libya?, Somalia?, Sudan?, Togo?. | The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Benin?, Burundi?, Gambia?, Guinea-Bissau?, Kenya?, Rwanda?, Senegal?, Sudan?, Togo?. |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: Felinae.
Explore the taxonomy ↗