Cheetah Facts For Kids
Cheetahs are such cool animals and run seriously fast! You certainly wouldn’t be able to catch up with them. Read on for some cool cheetah facts so you’re in the know!
Their scientific name is ‘Acinonyx Jubatus’ which comes from the word ‘chita’. Any ideas what that means? It means ‘spotted one’.
Well, the cheetah’s name definitely describes it well, don’t you think?!
Quick Cheetah Facts For Kids
- Instead of roaring, cheetahs meow and purr.
- Cheetahs have spotted coats that make it easier for them to blend in with their environment.
- Cheetahs don’t require much water and can go for three or four days without any of it.
- A typical cheetah pursuit lasts between 200 and 300 meters and lasts less than a minute.
- A cheetah’s body has evolved for speed with long legs, an enlarged spine, modified claws to grasp the ground, and a long tail for balance.
- Cheetahs are solitary creatures and adult females usually live alone raising their cubs.
Basic Details To Know About Cheetah
| Category | Fact |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Africa |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Size | 112-135 cm |
| Weight | 34-54 kg |
| Predators | Lions, hyenas |
| Diet | Carnivorous |
| Speed | 112 km/h |
| Gestation Period | 90-95 days |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
How Many Cheetahs Are Left In The World?
Most of these big cats live in eastern and south-western Africa. A few (very few), are left living in Iran.
Cheetahs are considered a threatened species these days with only only 7,000 to 13000 left in the wild. That’s so sad!
Cheetahs have become threatened due to loss of habitat (a place where they live) and decreasing food sources.
What Does A Cheetah Look Like?
Cheetahs are slender athletic cats, much smaller than lions and tigers. They look a bit like leopards, but are much leaner with round spots.
They have slim, muscular long legs, flexible spine and a small round head, all of which help them run very fast.
At the shoulder, an adult cheetah stands around 30 inches tall. It’s body is around 50 to 60 inches long, with a long tail that measures another 30 inches.
How Much Does A Cheetah Weigh?
An adult Cheetah weighs between 75 to 150 pounds, which means a single male lion weighs as much as 3 adult cheetahs.
How Fast Are Cheetahs?
Cheetah is famous for being the fastest land animal, and can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour. Cheetahs can accelerate to 60 miles per hour (about 97 kilometers) in just 3 seconds.
When a cheetah is running at full speed, each stride is often about 20 feet, and when their legs are spread out during a stride, it almost looks like they are flying. Wow!
Where Do Cheetahs Live?
Cheetahs can be found throughout eastern and southern Africa, and favor open grasslands where they can run fast and hunt.
Cheetahs do not live in the jungle or rainforest.
Types Of Cheetahs
There are five subspecies (types) of cheetahs:
- Northwest African Cheetah
- South African Cheetah
- Asiatic Cheetah
- Sudan Cheetah
- Tanzanian Cheetah
Baby Cheetah
A baby cheetah is called a cub.
Female cheetahs live alone unless she is caring for her cubs.
A mother cheetah will usually give birth to 3 to 5 cubs, but 6 to 8 cubs can be born in a single litter.
At birth, Cheetahs are blind, but within 10 days their eyes open and they can see. They get teeth by the time they are 3 week old.
Within 6 months of birth, Cheetah cubs reach half their adult size, and begin to learn to hunt from their mothers.
A mother cheetah usually stays with her cubs for no longer than 18 months after which she leaves them.
The cubs then stay on together for another 6 to 8 months, after which the females will leave on their own and the males will go on to stay together for life.
What Do Cheetahs Eat?
Cheetahs are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. Cheetahs hunt in the day time. They do not hunt daily, and usually hunt once in 2 to 4 days.
Female Cheetahs with cubs will hunt daily as she has to feed her cubs.
Cheetahs have excellent eyesight and can spot their prey from far. They then use their great speed to chase down their prey, trip them, and kill with a bite to the neck.
They eat antelopes, warthogs, birds, zebras, gazelles, deer, antelopes and impalas.
After cheetahs catch their prey (food), they will bring it to a shaded hiding place so other animals don’t see it.
Cheetahs do not like to fight. They will give up their prey if a larger, more aggressive animal approaches them, so that they avoid a fight.
Cheetahs – From The Cat Family
Cheetahs are mammals like you, which mean that they are warm-blooded.
Cheetahs are in the cat family. That’s hardly a surprise, seeing as though they look like a cat!
Cheetahs are sometimes mistaken for leopards but a cheetah’s spots are more round and they have long black lines that run from their eyes to their mouth called tears.
Now you can tell the difference!
How Long Do Cheetahs Live?
Cheetahs usually live 7 to 10 years in the wild. But they can live up to 16 years in captivity because they don’t have to face predators or fight for food while in captivity.
Related: Animal Group Names.
What Sound Does A Cheetah Make?
Cheetahs produce a variety of different sounds to communicate with each other including growls, purrs that generally denote contentment, chirps (between a mother and her cubs), and an “explosive yelp” heard by humans from 2 km (1.24 mi.) away.
More Interesting Facts About Cheetahs
A cheetah has between 2,000 to 3,000 spots! That is a lot of spots.
Cheetahs do not roar like lions or tigers. They let out a chirping noise when they feel threatened and they purr if they feel happy. How cute is that?
Both male and female cheetahs are called cheetahs.
A cheetah’s predators are lions and hyenas.
Cheetahs eyesight is so good, they can see up to 3 miles in detail. But they lack special night vision unlike most other cats.
Cheetahs only need to drink once every 2 to 4 days and can survive up to 10 days without water.
Cheetahs sleep 12 hours a day and cannot climb trees.
Their claws are rather different from the other big cats and are only semi-retractable. This gives them grip while running.
Cheetahs use their long tail like a rudder, which helps them steer and turn fast while chasing prey at great speed.
Cheetahs need to breathe at 150 breaths per minute while running at their fastest.
Cheetahs were kept as pets and trained to help people hunt in Ancient Egypt. Even today, some countries in Africa and Western Asia allow domestication of Cheetahs.
So there you have the coolest facts about these awesome creatures! Ready for some more fun animal facts.
Cheetahs Use Their Spotted Coat As A Disguise
Cheetahs, the fastest land animals, use their spotted coat as a form of camouflage to help them blend into their surroundings and avoid being detected by predators.
The spots on their coat break up their outline, making it difficult for other animals to spot them in the tall grass of the African savannah. This helps them get closer to their prey without being seen, making it easier to launch a surprise attack.
Additionally, their spotted coat provides excellent cover when hunting in low-light conditions, such as during dawn or dusk. Overall, the cheetah’s spotted coat is a vital adaptation that helps them survive in their natural habitat.
Cheetahs Are Racing Toward Extinction
Cheetahs, the fastest land animals on earth, are in danger of extinction. The population of these big cats has declined by over 90% in the last century, with fewer than 7,000 remaining in the wild.
Loss of habitat, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict are the primary reasons for their decline. Efforts are being made to conserve cheetahs, including protection of their habitats, a crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, and raising awareness among local communities.
However, urgent action is needed to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures before it’s too late.
Africa’s Most Endangered Cat
The African wildcat, also known as the African golden cat, is one of the most endangered felines in Africa. With a population estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals, the species is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and hunting.
The African wildcat is found in the tropical forests of West and Central Africa and is known for its striking coat coloration ranging from golden brown to reddish-brown. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this elusive and rare feline, but urgent action is needed to ensure its survival in the wild.
Cheetahs Tire Quickly
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of sprinting up to speeds of 70 miles per hour (112 kilometers per hour) for short distances. Their ability to reach such incredible speeds is due to their uniquely designed bodies, which feature lightweight bones, powerful leg muscles, and a flexible spine that acts like a spring.
Additionally, cheetahs have specialized feet with semi-retractable claws and hard, thick pads that provide traction and protect their paws during high-speed chases. All of these adaptations allow cheetahs to tire quickly, with most hunts lasting less than a minute.
Cheetahs Date Way Back
Cheetahs are believed to have first appeared around 4 million years ago in North America and then migrated to Africa around 3 million years ago. These agile predators have long been admired for their incredible speed, capable of reaching up to 70 miles per hour in short bursts.
However, due to habitat loss, poaching, and other factors, cheetah populations have declined significantly in recent years, with only an estimated 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild today. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these magnificent cats and ensure their survival for future generations.
Cheetahs Abandon Around 10% Of Kills To Larger Predators
Cheetahs, known for their speed and agility in hunting, have been observed to abandon a significant proportion of their kills to larger predators. Research suggests that cheetahs abandon around 10% of their successful hunts to animals such as lions and hyenas, who can overpower the smaller and more vulnerable cheetahs.
This behavior may be a survival strategy, as cheetahs are often injured or killed in confrontations with larger predators. By avoiding these dangerous interactions, cheetahs may increase their overall chances of survival, even if it means sacrificing some of their hard-earned meals.
It Is Illegal To Keep A Cheetah As A Pet In The USA
It is illegal to keep a cheetah as a pet in the USA. Cheetahs are listed as endangered, and it is against the law to own one without proper permits and licenses.
This is because keeping them as pets can lead to the destruction of their natural habitats and the depletion of their population. Furthermore, cheetahs require a specific diet and environment that most people cannot provide.
Their ownership poses a danger to the public as they are wild animals and can become aggressive. Therefore, protecting these magnificent creatures and leaving them in their natural habitats is essential.
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