FAST FACTS

Cheetahs are built for speed.
Image©CheetahConservationFund

The world's FASTEST land mammal. Cheetahs run quick short bursts up to 70 mph (113km/hr). Reaching 45 mph is just 2 seconds.

How do cheetahs run so FAST?

Image ©CCF

It's in their Anatomy!

Outer Workings

Size of Adult Cheetahs
  • Body size: 44" to 56" long (112 - 142 centimeters)
  • Tail size: 26" to 33" (66 to 84 centimeters)
  • Body height: 24.4" to 37.2" (62 t0 94.5 centimeters)
  • Body weight: 55 to 145 pounds (24 to 64 kilograms) Male cheetahs are typically bigger than females.
Long Flat Tail
A long tall helps them balance and steer their bodies when running. Their tails are flat and  act like a rudder on a boat because it helps direct them and keeps them from spinning out of control when running.
Spring-like Backbone
A spring-like backbone helps cheetahs burst forward and it is flexible so it can move easily when running to catch its prey.
Long Powerful Legs
Their long very powerful legs can cover up to 20 feet in one stride helping them gain speed quickly. These powerful legs help them change directions faster than any other land animal.
Lean Muscular Bodies
Their lean muscular bodies help them move quickly and fast.
Semi-Retractable Claws
Semi-retractable claws (similar to claws on dogs) give cheetahs the ability to grip the hard ground.  They also have hard pads with ridges on the bottom of their paws that help provide traction with better gripping and less slipping.
Narrow Heads
Their narrow head helps them move through the air (aerodynamics) easier. This reduces the amount of drag or wind resistance that could slow them down when running.

Inner Workings

Skeleton
Cheetahs have a lighter skeleton. This allows them to move quick and easily when chasing their prey.
Bigger Inner Ear Canals
Cheetahs' bigger inner ear canals allow them to keep their heads steady and solid during running. This helps them keep their eyes steady on the prey they are chasing and aids in their ability to successfully catch food.
Larger Nostrils
Cheetahs have larger nostrils that allow for lots more air to flow into their noses and lungs. This helps support their bodies while running.
Large Kidneys
Cheetahs have large kidneys that assist with the physical demands of speed.
Enlarged Hearts
An enlarged heart can push (circulate) more blood through the body. Heart and lungs work together to push oxygen through their blood quicker.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, USA
Larger Lung Capacity
Larger lung capacity means cheetahs can breathe a lot bigger and deeper to support their quickness while running.
Cheetah Tidbits
When a cheetah runs at one point during its long stride, ALL four legs of its body are OFF the ground. Looks like it could be flying. Amazing animal!

Just the Science

Scientific Name & Meaning of Name
Acinonyx jubatus Acinonyx = non-moving claws jubatus = manned (the furry mantle on the cubs)
Cheetah Conservation Status
United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 Cheetahs are listed as ENDANGERED Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Cheetahs are Vulnerable with decreasing populations (last assessed 2014) Please read the Cheetahs in the World; 5 subspecies (below) to learn about each individual subspecies IUCN status. Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) 183 parties agree to a framework to ensure the sustainability of the trade in order to safeguard these resources for the future and safeguard certain species from over-exploitation. Cheetahs is a CITES-listed species (Appendix I)

Cheetah Tidbits

You will never hear a roar out of a cheetah or puma. Both do not roar. Cheetahs and pumas share this same creature feature of the sub-family Felinea.
World Cheetah Population
Currently about 7,100 cheetahs left in the world.
Science Classification of Cheetahs
Kingdom: Animalia (animals) Phylum: Chordara (vertebrate animals) Class: Mammalia (mammals) Order: Carnivora (meat eaters) Family: Feidae (all cats) Subfamilia: Felinea Genus: Acinonyx Species: Jubatus
Cheetahs and pumas share the same sub-family Felinea.
Cheetahs in the World 5 subspecies
1. Southern African Cheetah Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus jubatusPopulation: Approximately 3,600*(Largest wild population) Characteristics: Golden coat with darker spots & thicker tear marks, whiter belly and often with no spots on belly. Countries: Found in Namibia, Botswana, South Africa Closet subspecies: Relatives to the Northeast African Cheetah & Asiatic Cheetah. ICUN Red Listed: Vulnerable. 2. East African Cheetah Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus raineyiiPopulation: Approximately 2,000Characteristics: Shorter coat, leaner body Countries: Found in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Somalia ICUN Red Listed: Vulnerable. 3. Northeast African Cheetah (as known as Central African Cheetah, Sudan Cheetah or Somali Cheetah) Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus soemmerinaii Population: Approximately 800 -900 Characteristics: Darker colored with thick fur, white stomach, no spots on read legs, thick tail, larger head. Countries: South Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, Somalia and the Central African Republic. Numbers unknown in Sudan. ICUN Red Listed: Requested to reclassify & uplist from Vulnerable to Endangered and to Critically Endangered (CCF/2024) 4. Northwest African or Saharan Cheetah Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus heckiPopulation: Less than 250 Characteristics: Lighter colored coat, fewer spots on face, tear marks missing sometimes, smaller build. Countries: Found in Saharan desert & parts of the Sahel ICUN Red Listed: Critically Endangered. 5. Asiatic Cheetah Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus venaticusPopulation: 30-40 (source: Iranian Cheetah Society/2023)Characteristics: Neck fur is thicker, shorter coat. Countries: Found only in Iran ICUN Red Listed: Critically Endangered. Reference: Cheetah Conservation Fund, 2023

What makes cheetahs so special?

What to learn more about cheetahs?

"Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That's the problem." - Winnie the Pooh (A.A.Milne)
©2024 Cheetah Kids. All rights reserved.