Click on the audio player to hear me pronouncing Acinonyx jubatus. By convention it is written in italics with the first word capitalized and the second word not capitalized.
This is the scientific name in Latin of the cheetah. The cheetah was formally described by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in 1775 (or 1776 according to my source). The first part is a genus of the cat family also described as the cheetah’s generic name. The cheetah is the only member of this genus. Acinonyx probably derives from the Greek words for thorn (akaina) and claw (onyx). This refers to the partly sheathed claws of the cheetah which this cat needs to sprint efficiently for hunting when relying on speed.
‘Jubatus’ describes the species. The word is from the Latin meaning having a crest or mane. You can see cheetah manes on young cheetahs very clearly. In adults it is longer fur on the nape and shoulders. It may be 8 cms or more in length.
‘Genus’ is a taxonomic rank in the classification of the species. Below is the full classification:
Sources: Wild Cats of the World, Wikipedia and me.
