11 Cheetah Facts That Will Amaze You

What do ‘polka dots’ remind you of? Indeed, it’s cheetahs! However, did you know that spotless cheetahs also exist? Welcome to the lightning-fast world of the cheetah, the record-breaking sprinter of the savannah.

From their incredible acceleration that leaves sports cars in the dust to their unique social behaviors and survival tactics, certain lesser-known cheetah facts will amaze you. So, lace up your running shoes, and let’s dash into the fascinating realm of the fastest land animal on the planet.

Table of Contents

11 Cheetah Facts That Will Amaze You

1: Cheetah Originates From the Hindi Word Chita

The name “cheetah” originated from the Hindi word Chita, which means “spotted one.” The word ” Chita” itself comes from the Sanskrit word “Chitra-ya,” meaning ‘variegated,’ ‘adorned,’ or ‘painted.’

Furthermore, the binomial name of the cheetah is Acinonyx jubatus. Acinonyx is derived from two Greek words: “akaina,” meaning ‘thorn’ and “onyx,” meaning ‘claw.’ This reference is to the cheetah’s semi-retractable claws that are always ready for action, much like a thorn.

2: There Are Five Subspecies of the Cheetah

There are five acknowledged subspecies of the cheetah:

Asiatic cheetah: This critically endangered subspecies is found in Iran. It is slightly smaller than its African counterparts and has a white-yellowish lighter coat.
Northwest African cheetah: Also known as the Saharan cheetah, they are found in Africa and Iran. They have a shorter coat and nearly white color to adapt to the desert environment.
South African cheetah: This subspecies is the most common and is found mainly in South Africa and in some parts of Namibia. They have a golden coat with black spots.
Tanzanian cheetah: Also known as the East African cheetah, this subspecies is found in the grasslands and savannahs of Tanzania and Kenya. It has a slender body structure and a pale, tannish coat.
King cheetah: This subspecies is a genetic variant of the South African cheetah. They have larger, blotchy spots due to a mutation in their fur pattern gene.

3: The Cheetah Is the Fastest Land Animal in the World

Cheetahs are incredibly fast, reaching speeds up to 60-70 miles per hour. They can accelerate from 0 to 70 miles an hour in just three seconds. This incredible speed is due to their powerful leg muscles and lean body.

The anatomical features of cheetahs make them the fastest sprinters. The lightweight frame and powerful muscles make them suited to meet the speed standards. While the flexible spine allows for larger strides and rapid acceleration, the non-retractable claws and special foot pads provide grip and traction. Furthermore, the large nasal passages enable quick oxygen intake for muscle function, and their long tail is a rudder for balance during high-speed turns.

4: Cheetahs Use Their Tail To Steer When Running

A cheetah’s tail can extend 66 to 84 cm (26 to 33 inches.), accounting for around two-thirds of its total body length.

When a cheetah runs at high speed, its paws make minimal contact with the ground. During this high-velocity state, these rapid runners rely heavily on their tail for steering and balance, much like how a boat uses a rudder. So, the tail balances and helps the cheetah make sharp turns quickly without losing control or speed.

5: Cheetahs Display Roughly 2000 Spots Across Their Bodies

As the name explains, ‘the spotted one,’ cheetahs are indeed known for their distinctive spots, with an average of 2000 to 3000 spots covering their bodies. These spots help them camouflage and hunt in their tall grassland habitat.

To add more to this cheetah fact, the pattern of spots is not just random; they arise from shared biological and mathematical models like reaction-diffusion.

6: Cheetahs Communicate With Meows and Purrs Instead of Roaring

Unlike other big cats, such as lions and tigers, cheetahs don’t roar due to a difference in the anatomy of the throat, known as the larynx. In big cats who roar, the larynx is flexible, but in cheetahs, it’s rigid. This rigidity prevents the cheetah from being able to produce a roar.

Instead of roaring, cheetahs communicate using a variety of other vocalizations. These dotty dashers purr, hiss, growl, and make a unique bird-like chirping sound. These sounds are used for various forms of communication, such as expressing contentment (purring), showing aggression or fear (hissing and growling), or calling for lost family members (chirping).

7: Male Cheetahs Are the Only Social Ones

Indeed, male cheetahs are more social compared to females. They often form groups called coalitions, usually with their brothers from the same litter. A coalition allows them to defend territories better, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction. On the other hand, female cheetahs are solitary, preferring to live and hunt alone or with their offspring.

8: Females Typically Deliver Between Two to Eight Cubs at Once

Adult female cheetahs typically give birth every 17 to 20 months. With a gestation period of approximately 90 to 95 days, they give birth to a litter of between two to eight cubs.

The cubs are born blind and helpless and rely on their mother for protection. During the nursing period, which is around 3-6 months, the mother cheetah leaves them alone only when she hunts for food.

9: Cheetahs Have Excellent Eyesight

Did you know cheetahs can see even up to 3 miles away? It’s like having binoculars eyes. Yes, this is an amazing cheetah fact to overwhelm you.

Cheetahs are known for their exceptional eyesight, with a 210-degree field view (whereas humans have a 140-degree view). As predators, they have enormous eyes for their body size, and their retinas contain a high concentration of nerve cells, which allows them to detect minimal movements from great distances.

The “tear marks” or “malar stripes” facial design decreases sun glare and helps them focus on their prey during high-speed chases. Thus, their eyes adapt quickly to light changes when hunting at different times of day.

10: Cheetahs Can Live up to 10 Years in the Wild

While cheetahs are sprint predators, the average lifespan of adults (males and females) is 10 years. Alternatively, an adult cheetah’s life span skews to even eight years due to fierce territorial battles. However, the lifespan increases to 12-15 years in protected areas such as conservatories or national parks. A female cheetah named Dolly died at the age of 18 in Birmingham Zoo in 2009.

11: The Population of Cheetahs Is Only Around 7000

The cheetah population has indeed been declining, and it is estimated that only around 7,000 cheetahs are left in the wild. This species has been declared ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Among the various cheetah facts, this fact is the most concerning due to various factors, many of which are human-caused, such as habitat loss, human conflict (hunted or killed), illegal wildlife trade, climate change, and more.

Conclusion

Cheetah’s race isn’t just about speed—it is about survival. Unfortunately, cheetah populations are dwindling due to habitat loss and poaching, making them listed as a ‘Critically Endangered Species.’

The above-mentioned cheetah facts underscore their extraordinary agility and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures from extinction.

FAQs

What are 5 interesting facts about cheetahs?

1. Cheetahs display roughly 2000 spots across their bodies.
2. Cheetahs communicate with meows and purrs instead of roaring.
3. Cheetahs have excellent eyesight.
4. Cheetahs can live up to 10 years in the wild.
5. The population of cheetahs is only around 7000.

How long does a cheetah live?

An adult cheetah can survive for approximately 10 years in the wild. However, its life span increases to 12-15 years in protected areas such as conservatories or national parks.