31 Interesting Facts About Cheetahs- World’s Fastest Land Animal

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Interesting Facts About Cheetahs

Cheetahs, known for their speed and agility, are the world’s fastest land animals. They are Africa’s most endangered big cats which have adapted themselves with a unique body structure consisting of long legs, flexible spine, and semi-retractable claws. Their spotted coat helps camouflage among the dry grasslands and completes successful hunts. Did you know that in ancient Egypt, pharaohs used to keep cheetahs as pets and hunting companions? Read this blog to learn more interesting facts about cheetahs.

Amazing Fun Facts About Cheetahs

1. The word “cheetah” comes from the Hindi language where “chita” means “the spotted one”.

2. According to estimates, the wild Cheetah population is about 6,600. 

3. Their closest living relatives are cougars and Jaguarundis. 

4. 5 subspecies of cheetahs have been identified including the Northwest African cheetah, East African cheetah, South African cheetah, Northeast African cheetah, and Asiatic cheetah.  

5. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers all cheetah subspecies except the Northwest African and Asiatic cheetah vulnerable to being endangered. 

6. They are carnivores and generally hunt small animals including impala, gazelle, springbok, and duiker. 

Also Read: 50 Fun Interesting Animal Facts That Will Amaze You!

7. About 10% of the cheetah kills are stolen by lions and hyenas. 

8. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and depletion of wild prey are the biggest threats to the remaining cheetah populations. 

9. Cheetahs are social animals often found in small groups. 

20. In ancient Egypt, cheetahs were buried with their owners after their death. 

Also Read: 21+ Interesting Facts About Lions: King of the Jungle

Facts About Cheetah Body

1. They can grow up to 1.4 metres long and weigh between 34 kg to 54 kg. 

2. Their tail can grow between 65cm to 80cm. 

3. Cheetahs are equipped with semi-retractable claws which allow them swift movements while chasing prey at high speeds. 

4. The fur of this animal is covered with round or oval-shaped spots. 

5. Their coat is pale yellow in colour with black dots on the upper body and a white underbelly. 

Also Read: Top 10 Facts About Endangered Animals

6. The litter size of cheetahs includes two to eight cubs who stay with their mothers until they are 16 to 24 months old.

7. Cheetahs don’t have the ability to roar. 

8. Cheetahs have black tear marks called malar stripes that run down from the corner of their eyes to their mouth. 

Facts About Cheetah Speed

1. A cheetah can reach up to 64 miles per hour in 3 seconds, making them the world’s fastest land animal. 

2. Cheetahs require a lot of energy while chasing which is why their chase is limited to 200-300m and lasts less than a minute. 

3. Sarah, a cheetah from the Cincinnati Zoo, completed the 100-meter dash in just 5.95 seconds. She holds the record for the fastest run. 

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FAQs

What are 5 interesting facts about cheetahs?

5 interesting facts about cheetahs include that they are carnivores, they have pale yellow fur with black spots, they are close relatives of jaguars, their tails can be between 65cm to  80cm, and lastly, their sprints often last less than a minute.  

What is a cheetah 2 facts?

2 interesting facts about cheetahs include that they are the world’s fastest land animal and can weigh between 34 kg and 54 kg. 

What are the facts about cheetahs’ habitat?

Interesting facts about cheetah’s habitat include that they can live in shrublands, savannahs, and hot deserts. Although they stay on the ground, they know how to climb trees. 

Hope you had fun reading these interesting facts about cheetahs. If you like reading about facts, you can visit our interesting facts page to read more such blogs.

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