Guide Note

The Cheetah is the fastest land animal, able to run up to 70 miles per hour. Although they can go from 0-60 miles per hour in three strides, cheetahs may overheat if they run at top speed for more than about 100 yards. Their hunts, which only last for about 20-60 seconds are successful about 50% of the time. With the exception of mothers with cubs, cheetahs live a mainly solitary life, although some litter mates will travel and hunt together to bring down large prey.

Fast Facts

Average height: 2.5 to 3 feet at the shoulder
Weight: 100 to 140 pounds
Tan with black spots
Average life span: 10 to 12 years
Litter size: 2 to 4 cubs
Listed as an endangered species

Habitat and Hunting

Once found in large numbers on the plains of Africa and Asia, the cheetah's habitat is now restricted to a small population of about 200 in Iran and an estimated 9,000-12,000 in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cheetahs rely on long grasses to provide cover and camouflage. They sneak up on their prey and then try to overtake it with a short burst of speed, knocking it over and killing with a suffocating bite to the neck. Cheetahs must consume their kill quickly or risk having it usurped by other predators and scavengers like lions and hyenas.

Categories

Animals | Science | Mammals

View Note History

Cheetah

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Cheetah
Smithsonian National Zoo: Meet the Zoo's Cheetahs
Defenders Of Wildlife: Cheetah
Out to Africa: Cheetah Facts
Tigerhomes.org: Cheetah Facts
The Animal Files: Cheetah
YouTube Video: Cheetah vs. Gemsbok (Time 2:50)

Cheetah News and Articles

Google News: Cheetah
National Geographic: Cheetah Conservation Hopes Pinned on "Ambassador" Cat (2004)
Slate Magazine: Lions and Cheetahs and Elephants, Oh My! (2005)
Live Science: Elusive Cheetahs Caught on Film (2005)
University of California at Davis: Veterinary Team Assists in Cheetah Rescue Effort (2006)

Cheetah Background and Behavior

Earth's Endangered Creatures: Cheetah Facts
Big Cat Rescue: The Cheetah
Animal Planet: Tour A Cheetah
Onime.com: Cheetah Distribution and Habitat
San Diego Zoo: Mammals: Cheetah
PBS Nature: Cheetahs in a Hot Spot

Cheetah and Humans

AllAfrica.com: Namibia: Farmers Key to Cheetah's Survival (2007)
NDTV.com: New Way of Saving Big Cats (2007)
Animal Planet: Be A Cheetah- Can You Survive
Animal Tracks: Giving A Boost To Captive Breeding
CNN.com: Man Races World's Fastest Cat (2007)

Cheetah Fun Stuff

Enchanted Learning: Cheetah Printout
National Geographic Kids: Cheetahs: Animal Information, Pictures, Map
Cheetah Kids: Help Save The Wild Cheetah!
Cheetah Conservation Fund: Cheetah Coloring Book

Cheetah Photos and Videos

TheBigCats.com: Cheetah Key Facts and Photo Gallery
Yahoo! Image Search: Cheetah
Google Image Search: Cheetah
YouTube & Google Video: Cheetah Search
YouTube: Smart Cheetah (Time 1:37)
YouTube: The Return of the Cheetah (Time: 2:05)
YouTube: Wild Chronicles - Cheetah Chase (Time: 6:27)

Cheetah Blogs and Forums

San Diego Zoo: A Toy for Cheetahs (2007)
Cheetah Conservation Fund: Why is Captive Cheetah Reproductive Research Important? (2007)
SafariTalk: Cheetah Conservation Botswana (2007)

Cheetah-Related Organizations

Cheetah Conservation Fund
Cheetah Outreach
African Wildlife Foundation: Cheetah
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums: Can the cheetah outrun extinction?
De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust
Battle Creek Enquirer: Binder Park Zoo to host 'Cheetahs in Conflict' (2007)
Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Cheetah Conservation Program

Cheetah Books and Related Merchandise

Amazon.com: Cheetah Books
TheBIGZoo: Cheetah Merchandise
eBay: Cheetah Merchandise
CafePress.com: Merchandise

Related Searches

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