Cheetah
Cheetah Facts
| Size | 43-60 inches (110-150 cm) (body length) |
| Speed | Up to 74 mph (120 km/h) |
| Weight | Up to 132 lb (60 kg) |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Food | Gazelles, impalas, antelopes |
| Predators | Lions, leopards, hyenas, eagles |
| Habitat | Africa, Asia |
| Order | Carnivores |
| Family | Cats |
| Scientific name | Acinonyx jubatus |
| Characteristics | Large predatory cat with tear marks; fastest land animal |
Main Characteristics
Cheetahs are large cats. They're the fastest land animals in the world and famous for their exceptional running technique, allowing them to make quick turns. Their most eye-catching characteristics are solid black spots on their fur, “tear marks” on their face, a long tail and slim legs.
Species
According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) there are three African and one Asian subspecies.
A Big Cat?
Cheetahs aren't big cats - although they're large in size. They belong to the family of “Felinae” - just like lynx, cougar and ocelot. „Felinae“ is a subfamily of the „Felidae“. The species within this family comprises small predatory cats that are able to purr, but can't roar. In contrast, there are „big cats”, which include tigers, jaguars, lions, leopards, snow leopards and clouded leopards.
Distribution and Habitat
African cheetahs live all over Africa, most of them in the southeast. Asiatic cheetahs live in a wildlife reserve in Iran. Their preferred habitat is are savannahs and steppes.
Life Style
Cheetahs spend a lot of time sleeping - especially during the hot times of the day. Nevertheless, they're active during the day. They can't defend their prey against other nocturnal and crepuscular predators. Therefore, it's better for them to hunt and eat during the day. Cheetahs are considered solitary animals, but mothers and children form small families and males often roam the savannah in small groups.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Cheetahs have a body length of 43-60 inches (110-150 cm) and a shoulder height of 24-37 inches (63-94 cm). Despite their large size, they weigh only 84-144 pounds (38-65 kg).
Body Type
Cheetahs have a slim, narrow body and long, slender legs.
Fur Pattern
Cheetahs have countless black spots on their fur.
Tear Marks
Cheetahs have dark markings on their faces that begin at their eyes and go down to their mouths. They make them look like they are crying. That's why they're called tear marks. The markings help keep the sun out of their eyes.
Paws and Claws
Cheetahs have semi-retractable claws – similar to a domestic cat. However, since they aren't completely retractable, the tips are rather blunt. The soles under their paws are very hard.
Tail
The tail is up to 28 inches (70 cm) long and accounts for almost half of its body length.
Cheetah vs. Leopard – What’s the Difference?
Cheetahs and leopards have many things in common. They are similar in size, have a similar fur pattern and a long tail. However, the cheetah's head is more narrow. It has a slimmer body, tear marks and no rosettes (= circular fur markings). Additionally, its claws are only semi-retractable. The leopard can take them in completely. There are also differences in behavior: the cheetah is diurnal, the leopard is active at night.
Diet
Cheetahs feed primarily on small ungulates weighing less than 88 pounds (40 kg). Its main prey is the Thomson's gazelle, Dorcas gazelle, Dam gazelle, Grant's gazelle and antelopes such as the impala.
Behavior
Are Cheetahs Pack Animals?
Cheetahs aren't pack animals. The only cats that form packs are lions. Nevertheless, cheetahs aren't always solitary animals. The mothers live with their young as long as they are small and depend on help. Males often gather in small groups to hunt together. Often they are brothers from the same litter.
Roaring
Cheetahs can't roar.
What Sounds Do Cheetahs Make?
Even though cheetahs can't roar, they're not silent. They produce a variety of other sounds. They chirp, bark, purr, growl, hiss, snarl, cough, moan and bleat.
Senses and Abilities
Climbing
Cheetahs climb, but they aren't as skilled at it and don't climb as high as other big cats, such as leopards.
Swimming
Cheetahs can swim, but they prefer to move on land. There are hardly any large lakes or rivers in their habitat anyway.
Can a Cheetah Kill a Giraffe?
Cheetahs can't kill giraffes. The ungulates are too big and too heavy for them. They can't kill ostriches and zebras either. It's the other way around. Giraffes, ostriches and zebras can critically injure a cheetah with a powerful kick. Therefore, the cheetah avoids them.
Are Cheetahs Dangerous?
Cheetahs look very elegant and beautiful - like large, wild pedigree cats. Nevertheless, they're strong, fast predatory cats with sharp teeth. Their behavior is difficult to assess because they can attack from one moment to the next. They can seriously injure humans. There are dubious wildlife parks where you can pet cheetahs. You shouldn't even visit such facilities because the animals there are rarely kept in a species-appropriate manner. What's worse: You are putting your own life at risk.
Locomotion
Speed
Cheetahs can run incredibly fast. They reach speeds of up to 74 mph (120 km/h). Of course, they can't keep up the pace for long because it takes a lot of energy to run so fast. They can only maintain this speed for about 1,300 feet (400 meters). That's why they sneak as close to its prey as possible before attacking.
Stride Length
Cheetahs have a stride length of up to 23 feet (7 meters). This means that they can cover a distance of 23 feet (7 meters) without touching the ground.
Why Are Cheetahs So Fast?
Cheetahs have a body that is 100% adapted to reaching high speeds. They have:
| Adaption | Effect |
|---|---|
| Long legs | Improve stride length |
| Long legs | Improve stride length |
| Long, flexible spine | Improve stride length |
| Hard soles | Improve grip on sandy ground |
| Semi-retractable claws | Improve grip on sandy ground |
| Long tail | Improves balance and enables quick changes of direction |
| Large lungs | Improve oxygen intake |
| Large nasal cavities | Improve oxygen intake |
| Slim body | Reduces weight |
| Small teeth | Reduces weight |
Hunting
Sneaking and Sprinting
Cheetahs sneak up to a distance of less than 330 feet (100 meters) from their prey. If the wind is good and they haven't been spotted, they leave their hiding place and sprint off at lightning speed. The element of surprise is crucial for their success. After all, their prey is almost as fast. Gazelles and impalas reach well over 60 mph (90 km/h). They can also change direction quickly.
How Do Cheetahs Kill Their Prey?
When cheetahs catch up with their prey, they run into its legs, causing them to stumble and fall. They then use their teeth to squeeze the prey's throat so that it suffocates.
Resting and Eating
After hunting, cheetahs need to rest because sprinting so fast takes a lot of energy and causes their muscles to overheat. However, they don't have much time for it: they have to hurry up to eat because they can't defend themselves against lions, leopards, baboons, jackals, vultures and hyenas.
Life Expectancy
In the wild, the females live for 14-15 years and the males for around 10 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Natural enemies include lions, leopards, hyenas and eagles.
Human Impact
Habitat loss is the biggest threat to cheetahs. Land is increasingly being used for agriculture and industry. There aren't enough prey animals anymore, which makes it even worse. They're also hunted by farmers, because they're seen as a threat to their livestock.
How Many Cheetahs Are Left?
According to an estimate from 2021, there are only 6,500 African cheetahs left (as of August 2024; no more recent data available). The cheetah is registered as a vulnerable species in the red list of the IUCN. In 2023, only 30-40 Asian cheetahs were left (as of August 2024). They're threatened with extinction.
Reproduction
Cheetahs have a gestation period of 95 days. A litter usually contains one to three young. During the first two months they're hidden by their mother in dense vegetation, because it's unable to defend the cubs against predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas and eagles. To prevent them from being discovered, the mother moves them to a new hiding place several times a day. The cubs have silvery hair on their backs for camouflage in the first few weeks. The first years are the most dangerous for them. If they survive this critical period, they can live to be 15 years old.
Fun Facts
Cheetah vs. Human – Who Will Win a 100m Sprint?
Usain Bolt set a world record in 2009. He ran a distance of 328 feet (100 meters) in 9.58 seconds. In 2012, a cheetah named Sarah also ran a 328 feet (100 meters) distance in the USA. She finished in just 5.95 seconds, almost twice as fast as Usain Bolt.
The Cheetah Is Related To:
- Cougar
Animals in the Same Biome:
Sources:
- "Scientists identify hotspots of cheetah activity as a key to solving the cheetah-farmer conflict in Namibia" (https://www.fv-berlin.de/en)
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