Cheetah

Fascinating facts about the Cheetah

• A cheetah accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds, faster than most sports cars.
• Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar; instead they purr, chirp, and make a distinctive bird-like call.
• Cheetahs have claws that are only semi-retractable, functioning more like a sprinter's cleats than hooks for climbing.
• After a high-speed chase, a cheetah must rest for up to 30 minutes before eating, leaving it vulnerable to losing its kill to lions or hyenas.
• The Asiatic cheetah in Iran numbers fewer than 12 individuals, making it one of the most critically endangered mammals on Earth.

At a glance

About the Cheetah

Built like a greyhound with the spots of a leopard, the cheetah is evolution's most extreme speed experiment. Its oversized heart, widened nostrils, and flexible spine work in perfect concert to launch it across the grasslands faster than any other land animal. But speed comes at a cost: cheetahs are lightly built, easily injured, and frequently robbed of their hard-won kills by larger predators.

Cheetah photographed on Feravox

Discover more wildlife