Facts about Cheetahs
- 09
Roughly 90 percent of cheetah cubs born in the wild do not survive to adulthood due to predation, starvation, and disease.
- 08
The cheetah's slender, lightweight build weighs only 75 to 145 pounds, making it the smallest of the big cats and enabling its exceptional speed and agility.
- 07
Female cheetahs give birth to litters of three to five cubs after a gestation period of approximately 90 to 95 days, with cubs remaining dependent on their mother for about 18 months.
- 06
In the wild, cheetahs typically live 10 to 12 years, while those in captivity can survive up to 20 years due to reduced stress and veterinary care.
- 05
Cheetahs possess enlarged nostrils and lungs that increase oxygen intake by approximately 50 percent compared to other felids, supporting their extreme aerobic demands during high-speed hunts.
- 04
A cheetah's tail comprises nearly one-third of its body length and acts as a rudder to maintain balance during high-speed turns and rapid directional changes.
- 03
Non-retractable claws on cheetahs function like running shoe cleats, providing grip and traction during high-speed pursuits across African savannas.
- 02
Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar; instead they chirp, purr, and meow to communicate with each other.
- 01
Reaching speeds of 70 miles per hour, cheetahs are the fastest land animals on Earth, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds.