Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
343 / Cenozoic
American cheetah
Miracinonyx trumani
Long limbs converged on cheetah proportions, but its closest ties were to cougars.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 2.5 million–12,000 years ago
- Final stage
- End of the Pleistocene
- Geographic range
- Grassland, mountains and open woodland · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was American cheetah?
American cheetah (Miracinonyx trumani) was an extinct organism known from About 2.5 million–12,000 years ago, with a range in Grassland, mountains and open woodland · North America.
Life and ecology
Miracinonyx probably pursued pronghorn and other prey across open ground.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did American cheetah disappear?
Prey loss, habitat change and human expansion likely combined.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about American cheetah?
Cave skeletons, limb proportions, skulls and ancient DNA place it near Puma.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS