# Cheetahs (*Acinonyx*) Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, known for their incredible speed and unique black spots. They love to run and can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Savannas - **Also known as:** Acinonyx, Cheetah, Fast Cat ![Cheetahs](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426915/objects/4069.jpg) ## Appearance The Cheetah is a slender, tawny-yellow cat with distinctive solid black spots covering its body. It has long, powerful legs and a small head, instantly recognized by prominent black 'tear marks' running from its eyes to its mouth, making it visually distinct from leopards or jaguars. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Felidae - **Genus:** Acinonyx ## Interesting facts - Cheetahs don't roar like lions; they purr, chirp, and even meow like house cats! - Cheetahs hunt during the day to avoid bigger predators like lions and hyenas. - Each cheetah has a unique spot pattern, like a human's fingerprint! - Their black 'tear marks' help block sun glare, acting like natural sunglasses! ## Special abilities - **Lightning Sprint:** Cheetahs can run up to 120 km/h because of their flexible spine and long powerful legs that provide explosive acceleration. - **Traction Claws:** Cheetahs have semi-retractable claws that act like running spikes, helping them grip the ground for sharp turns at high speed. - **Tail Rudder:** Cheetahs use their long, heavy tail as a rudder, which helps them balance and steer precisely during fast chases. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 112-150 cm - **Weight:** 21-72 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-12 years - **Speed:** 120 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-8 - **Gestation:** 90-98 days ## Diet & Feeding Swift hunters, cheetahs eat small- to medium-sized mammals they chase down using incredible speed! - **Primary Foods:** Thomson's gazelles, Impalas, Springboks, Wildebeest calves, Hares - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Thomson's gazelle (*Gazella thomsonii*) — Primary prey for high-speed chases. - **Hunts:** [Impala](https://www.snappit.app/explore/impala) (*Aepyceros melampus*) — A common medium-sized meal for cheetahs. - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions often steal cheetah kills and harm cubs. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Hyenas frequently steal freshly caught cheetah prey. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Cheetahs are wild animals and should be admired from a safe distance in nature. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cheetahs? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cheetahs? 112-150 cm ### How much does Cheetahs weigh? 21-72 kg ### How long does Cheetahs live? 10-12 years ### How fast can Cheetahs move? 120 km/h ### What does Cheetahs eat? Swift hunters, cheetahs eat small- to medium-sized mammals they chase down using incredible speed! ### Where is Cheetahs usually found? Savannas ### How does Cheetahs hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Memphis Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/memphis-zoo) — Tennessee, US · Zoo - [Roger Williams Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/roger-williams-park-zoo) — Rhode Island, US · Zoo - [Toledo Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/toledo-zoo) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Zoo de la Palmyre](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-la-palmyre) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Zoo - [Busch Gardens Tampa](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/busch-gardens-tampa) — Florida, US · Zoo [View all places to see Cheetahs](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cheetahs) ## Watch - [Play video: Cheetahs](https://www.snappit.app/videos/cheetahs) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=5-wwNKSw8GY) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Cheetahs: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cheetahs)