Cheetah, one of the world’s most-recognizable cats, known especially for its speed. Cheetahs’ sprints have been measured at a maximum of 114 km (71 miles) per hour, and they routinely reach velocities of 80–100 km per hour while pursuing prey. Nearly all cheetahs remaining in the wild live in Africa.
Cheetah facts: learn all about these felines with facts about the cheetah’s habitat, diet, behaviour, range, characteristics and top speed!
Learn about cheetahs from Cheetah Conservation Fund. CCF has the world's leading experts on cheetahs including our founder Dr. Laurie Marker.
Built for breathtaking speed, the cheetah is the world’s fastest land mammal. Cheetahs rely on their agility and stealth to chase down prey across the African savanna. Cheetahs have slender, long-legged bodies with blunt, semi-retractable claws. Their heads are small with high-set eyes.
Fastest mammal on land, the cheetah can reach speeds of 60 or perhaps even 70 miles (97 or 113 kilometers) an hour over short distances. It usually chases its prey at only about half that speed,...
Cheetahs are big cats known for being the world’s fastest land mammal, reaching speeds of up to 60-70 miles per hour. They can be differentiated from other big cats by their narrow shoulder blades and long limbs, which they use to reach their top speeds.
Cheetahs are large cats, although not as large as tigers or lions. They typically are 44 to 56 inches long, with a 26 to 33-inch tail, and weigh 75 to 140 pounds. Like many big cats, male cheetahs are slightly larger than females. The most striking feature of the cheetah is its marks.