Cheetah Facts for Big Cat Lovers

Cheetahs are incredible animals and they are known throughout the world for having attributes that make them special from all other cats. While many people can see cheetahs at their local zoos, there is no comparison to seeing live cheetahs in the wild. They are truly fantastic and deserve much observation. Whether you are fascinated with cheetahs or are not that familiar with them, there are plenty of amazing cheetah facts abound, here are just a few of them.

The Incredible Speed of the Cheetah
One of the most well known cheetah fact is the speed that a cheetah can reach in the wild when pursuing prey. Cheetah’s are exceptional hunters and rely on their speed to catch their prey. Throughout the millennia, the cheetah has evolved special features that make this big cat reach incredible speeds that have only recently been attainable with the fastest exotic cars. For instance, it is a well known cheetah fact that this cat can reach speeds between 70 and 75 miles per hour. These speeds are only attainable in bursts, since it requires too much energy to keep this speed stable. It should also be noted that besides a top speed of the cheetah (the world’s fastest for a mammal), it is a cheetah fact that these big cats can also accelerate faster than any other land animal as well. Cheetahs can usually accelerate to about 45 miles per hour in less than 3 steps. In addition, their top speed of 70 to 75 miles per hour usually comes in at less than 3 seconds- even today’s top cars have difficulty approaching these speeds.

The Cheetah is Built for Speed
Besides reaching top speeds in the 70 mph range, it should also be noted that in order to accomplish this task, evolution has helped the cheetah with specific modifications and features to its body. For instance, it is a cheetah fact that cheetahs are very slim, have large nostrils, large lungs and a large heart. All of these features are to intake large amounts of oxygen and burn this energy very efficiently. Besides these features, most male and female cheetahs have the same body profile- giving both a speed advantage. Other features which are important include the cheetah fact that when a cheetah is in hot pursuit, its claws retract into its paws so that there is no interference or unnecessary friction while it runs.

To read more about cheetah facts, please visit Smithsonian Magazine’s main website at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetahs are Amazing

For those that love big cats, one of the most amazing of the big cats are cheetahs. Cheetahs are incredibly sleek, beautiful and very, very fast. In fact, one of the most known cheetah fact is that cheetahs are the fastest land mammals in the world reaching incredible speeds upwards of 70 to 75 mph. Here are some other fascinating cheetah facts that you may not know.

Cheetahs, Built for Speed
Cheetahs have evolved over thousands of years to be incredibly fast. While it is a known cheetah fact that they can hit bursts of speed of 70 to 75 mph, it is less known that they can accelerate to about 45 mph in 3 steps and full speed in about 3 seconds, which is faster than even the most expensive exotic sports cars.

Besides being incredible fast, another cheetah fact is that the cheetah’s body is made for speed. It has a long sleek body, small face, large nostrils, large lungs and heart. It also has retractable claws. When the cheetah runs, the claws actually retract into the paws so that the cheetah reduces friction with the ground. To read more about cheetah facts, the Smithsonian Magazine offers an incredible article on the subject. Read it today at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Totally Amazing Cheetah Facts

Cheetahs are some of the most amazing cats in the world. While they are known for their incredible bursts of speed, they also look quite different from most big cats. For those that are interested in these amazing creatures, there is a lot to learn since most cheetah facts are not widely known. The Smithsonian Magazine has recently offered an article on these beautiful cats which is now available on their main website. However, for those extremely fascinated with cheetahs, here are just a few totally amazing cheetah facts.

The Incredibly Fast Speed of the Cheetah
One of the most widely known cheetah fact is its speed. The Cheetah is usually categorized as the fastest land animal in the world. This cat can reach burst of speeds that approach 70 to 75 mph. Besides this incredible top speed, it should be noted that the acceleration of a cheetah rivals even the fastest super exotic sports cars. It is a cheetah fact that this cat can accelerate to about 68 mph in about 3 seconds- which is about twice as fast as normal high performance cars and just as quick as million dollar supercars.

The Beauty of the Cheetah
Besides the basic cheetah fact that this cat is fast, the cheetah is exceptionally beautiful. Over thousands of years, the cheetah as evolved into a super fast killing machine. In order to be quicker than any land mammal, its body has some specialized features that enable it to run and accelerate at super speeds. First, the body of the cheetah is very sleek. Whether the cheetah is male or female, its body type is pretty much similar. Thin and having a small, sleek head it is a cheetah fact that this cat cuts through the wind. In addition, the cheetah also has large lungs and a large heart to pump air and oxygen into the body for energy. The tail of the cheetah is also important as it is able to assist in steering. Like a rudder, the cheetah using its tail can turn on a dime. As for the cheetah’s paws, as the cheetah runs, the claws retract as to not cause friction with the ground. And its coat, while very exotic and beautiful is not smooth and silky like a pet cat, but wiry and very coarse.

Read More About Amazing Cheetahs
To read more cheetah facts, the Smithsonian Magazine is offering a fantastic article on the subject. To read it, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts You Didn't Know

Cheetahs are amazing cats. While the most known cheetah facts are regarding their speed, cheetahs also fascinate many with other interesting aspects. Cheetahs are known for being the fastest land animals in the world with top speeds that can break the 70 mph mark. These cats, while incredibly beautiful are now endangered of becoming extinct.

Cheetah Facts About Speed
While it is common knowledge that cheetahs are extremely fast, one cheetah fact that is not know is just how quickly they can accelerate. In fact, cheetahs are faster than the top exotic sports cars when it comes to acceleration, reaching speeds of 45 mph in about 3 steps and 75 mph very shortly after. There entire bodies have evolved for speed and they have small heads, large nostrils to suck in air, huge lungs and a heart that is made for pumping blood filled with nutrients to muscles. In addition, to the biological advantages for speed, a cheetah’s tail is also important. It uses its tail as a rudder- making it easier to sharply turn left or right practically on a dime.

Read More About Cheetah Facts
If you are fascinated with cheetahs and would like to read about more cheetah facts, the Smithsonian Magazine offers an intriguing article on the subject. To read it, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetahs: Incredible Speed Machines

The Cheetah is a wonderful animal and is mainly known for its incredible speeds. This beautiful cat has inspired many with its super fast speed, its elegant grace and beautiful form. For those that grew up seeing the cheetah at the zoo, it is hard to imagine how this incredible cat conducts itself in the wild. While the cheetah is an endangered cat, much research and conservation is being done to not only help the cheetah raise its population, but to free more of its population into the wild. For those interested in cheetah facts, the Smithsonian magazine has dedicated an article to this amazing cat.

The Cheetah: Super Sleek, Super Fast
One of the key cheetah facts is that this gorgeous cat is the fastest land animal. How fast is the cheetah? Well most researchers agree that the cheetah can reach speeds in bursts of energy that approach 70 to 75 miles per hour. What is even more amazing is that the cheetah can accelerate incredibly fast- at a rate of about 68 mph in less than 3 seconds beating most exotic sports cars. While the cheetah fact that this cat is fast is widely known, what isn’t well known is exactly how this cat can reach these incredible speeds.

The Cheetah is Built for Speed
A cheetah fact that you may not be aware of is that the cheetah is not your typical big cat. In fact, over time, the cheetah has evolved quite a few adaptations that make it incredibly fast and quite proficient at catching prey. First off, the cheetah has very large nostrils and an enlarged heart and lungs. When the cheetah runs, it requires more oxygen and blood flowing to its muscles. During a typical acceleration, the cheetah can increase its heart rate from about 60 breaths per minute to over 150 breaths per minute.

Another incredible cheetah facts is that the cheetah has retractable claws. While claws are necessary to catch prey, they can be a hindrance when running as they would scrape against the ground and slow the cheetah down. When the cheetah runs, the claws retract helping the cheetah reach incredibly quick speeds. In addition, the cheetah is very sleek and aerodynamic. Both the male and female cheetahs are very similar in body form to enhance their ability to cut through the air. And the tail of the cheetah is used as a rudder to help steer the cheetah and help it make incredibly quick and sharp turns. To read more about cheetah facts, visit the Smithsonian Magazine’s main site at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts that Will Blow Your Mind

For those that love wildlife, especially big cats, one of the most beautiful big cats are the cheetah. Cheetahs are not only incredibly fast, but are incredible predators. For those that are interested in learning about cheetah facts, the Smithsonian Magazine has an exceptional article on these incredible creatures.

Made for Speed
The obvious cheetah fact is that cheetahs are made for speed. Nature and their surrounding have made them evolve into the ultimate predators. There bodies are incredibly sophisticated, light and aerodynamic. In just a few seconds, they can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour – quicker than most exotic sports cars. In fact, they can reach 45 mph in about 3 steps.

Fly Like the Wind
Another cheetah fact is that these amazing cats come close to flying through the air. They touch the ground when running with only one paw and this one paw barely skims the ground. There lungs and heart are different than most cats, optimized for speed and the incredible strains that speed puts on these animals and their fur is not soft and cuddly like your house cat’s, but coarse and wiry. To learn more about cheetahs, visit the Smithsonian Magazine today at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts that are Extraordinary

If you love cats, you probably also are fascinated with the cheetah. The cheetah while a big cat is much different than both lions and tigers. It is a fierce predator; however its body is made purely for speed. The most well known cheetah fact is that a cheetah is the fastest land mammal usually able to reach speeds of 70 mph. What most don’t know is the many other cheetah facts that make this cat very exotic and fascinating.

The Cheetah and Speed
While it is a known cheetah fact that this cat reaches incredible speeds of 75 mph, did you know that the cheetah can accelerate to about 45 mph in about 3 steps. This is faster than even the most exotic sports cars. The Cheetah is an evolutionary masterpiece built totally for speed. From the sleek figure, to the extra large heart to pump blood through its veins, this cat was made to be a top predator.

The Cheetah’s Fur
While most cheetah facts are based on speed, many people into fashion know that the cheetah has always been a stylish pattern to wear as a coat, for your handbag, etc. While you may think a cheetah’s fur is soft and smooth like your pet cats, you should know it is actually the opposite- coarse and wiry. For more cheetah facts, please visit the article at the Smithsonian Magazine. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts: Amazing Facts of these Fast Cats

The cheetah is an amazing cat and while their population continues to be dangerously low, much research is being done and programs are in place for this big cat to populate and avoid extinction. Today, a large percentage of cheetahs live in zoos, but for those that continue to live in the wild- mostly on the African continent in order to catch prey and survive in the wild they use the evolutionary tools given to them to succeed. Cheetahs are incredible and there are plenty of cheetah facts that are absolutely fascinating- here are just a few.

Cheetah Facts on Speed
One cheetah fact that is widely known is that this cat is considered to be the fastest land mammal. With speeds that can reach 70 to 75 mph, it is no wonder that the cheetah is known for speed first. In fact the speed of a cheetah is even more interesting than its top speed. For instance, the cheetah can accelerate faster than today’s most expensive exotic sport cars. Cheetahs can reach speeds over 65 mph in less than 3 seconds and in just three short steps accelerate to speeds approaching 45 mph.

Flying Through the Air
Another important cheetah facts is the way it runs. The cheetah is built for speed. Its body is lean and sleek. Its profile cuts through the wind quite easily. In fact, there is little to differentiate male cheetahs and female cheetahs due to the fact that their profile is perhaps the most important trait for their speed. As a cheetah runs, it does not run like a typical quadruped. It touches the ground just ever so slightly with one paw at a time- literally flying through the air.

The Cheetah is Endangered
About 100 years ago it was a cheetah facts that there were about 100,000 cheetahs living around the world, in Africa, the Mediterranean region and Asia. Today, the entire population of cheetahs hovers around 12 to 15K most of which reside in Africa in the wild or in zoos around the world.

The Cheetah’s Fur
The Cheetah is known for its wonderful tan with spots motif and many designers use the cheetah as inspiration for dresses, bags and other fashionable accessories. While you may think that a cheetah’s fur is soft and cuddly like a home cat, the real cheetah fact is that this cat’s fur is quite wiry and coarse.

Read more about Cheetahs
For more interesting cheetah facts, the Smithsonian Magazine has put together an insightful article on the beauty and life of the cheetah. You can read it today by visiting our website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts That Will Fascinate You

Cheetahs have always been one of the most mysterious and attractive big cats. Besides being quick and agile, most people and even researchers are still finding out some incredible facts about these beautiful animals. If you have ever been interested in big cats, with the new article by Smithsonian Magazine, now is your chance to learn all the incredible cheetah facts. Here is just some of the amazing cheetah facts that one will be fascinated to learn.

Cheetahs Are Super Fast
Which do you think is faster- a cheetah in hot pursuit of its prey or an exotic sports car that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars? One of the well known
cheetah facts is that these cats are the fastest land animals on earth. While they can reach breathtaking speeds of 70 mph, their acceleration can beat out many of the most exotic sport cars around. It is a widely known cheetah fact that these animals were built for speed. They evolved with incredible features that make them aerodynamic, super light and quick on their feet. While many aspects of the cheetah are still a mystery, there is plenty of new cheetah facts that are coming to light.

Cheetahs can accelerate to about 45 mph in just a few steps. It sounds unbelievable, but these animals have such strength they propel through the air at an incredible speed. It should also be noted that cheetahs come close to flying through the air. While they don’t have wings, they literally run with only one paw touching the ground at a time- and these paws slightly skim the surface to ensure the least amount of friction. Another incredible cheetah fact is that their paws are specially designed to enhance their sprinting ability.

The Beautiful Cheetah
It’s a known cheetah fact that cheetahs have a coat that is stylish and wild. In fact, many fashion designers have gained inspiration and used these designs on most fashionable clothing, handbags and accessories. While we may think that the cheetah’s coat is plush and smooth- just like our pet cat’s, you would be amazed to learn that their coat is actually extremely wiry and coarse. For most that have touched the cheetah, it is a thrilling experience, but definitely not pleasant tactically.

For more information regarding amazing cheetah facts and to read our intriguing article, please visit the Smithsonian Magazine at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts That Will Amaze You

While we have probably all seen cheetahs at the zoo or on our favorite nature show, many incredible cheetah facts are still a relative mystery for those interested in these fast cats. Cheetahs are notorious for their speed and are considered to be the fastest mammals in the world. They can reach 70 mph and their acceleration is usually compared to or even faster than the most exotic and powerful sport cars.

Another cheetah fact that is extremely amazing is the actual mechanics of how a cheetah accelerates and runs. It only takes about 3 steps for a cheetah to accelerate to speeds approaching 45 mph. Once the cheetah is at full acceleration, you would think that two paws would be touching the ground at once, however, the cheetah pretty much comes close to flying through the air as only one paw touches the ground at a time.

Cheetahs are extremely beautiful and elegant animals. Their fur is copied on the most fashionable clothing and accessories such as handbags and bed sheets, however while many might think that the cheetah’s fur is smooth and gentle like that of our pet cat, the cheetah fact is that it is actually coarse and wiry. For those interested in cheetah facts, the Smithsonian Magazine has an extremely interesting article on the subject. You can read it at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts: Facts of the Fast Cat

Cheetahs are sleek, beautiful cats. They have earned the reputation for being the fastest land animals in the world and rightfully so reaching speeds of about 70 miles per hour and accelerating incredibly quickly- even faster than an exotic sports car such as a Ferrari. While cheetahs are one of the most interesting cats, there numbers have diminished to dangerously low levels. For more cheetah facts, read on:

Cheetahs are incredibly beautiful, but a lot of cheetah facts are unknown. Interestingly, one of the cheetah facts that are little known is about the cheetah’s fur. You might think it is similar to your pet cat, but in fact it is not smooth and silky- instead it is rough and prickly. In addition, the way the cheetah actually runs and the amount of energy it expends to catch its pray is fascinating as well.

To learn more cheetah facts , the Smithsonian Magazine has put together a fascinating article on this fast cat. Filled with interesting facts, lots of pictures and information about this beloved cat, you will come away with a new found knowledge and respect for this beautiful, but quickly diminishing cat. Please visit us today at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts: The Fast Cat

Cheetahs are amazing cats, unfortunately, they are also endangered. While we may think of cheetahs racing in the wild in order to catch their prey, the harsh reality is that a large percentage of cheetahs are now living in zoos. One disturbing cheetah fact is that about 100 years ago, there were close to 100,000 around the world. They were once located not only in Africa, but in Asia and the Mediterranean region as well. Unfortunately, in most regions cheetahs are now extinct and their population now hovers around 12K to 15k- most of which reside in Africa.

The Asian Cheetah
A surprising cheetah fact is that one type of cheetah- the Asian cheetah used to live in generous numbers in countries such as India, Israel, and Iran. Today, however this type of Cheetah- perhaps the rarest of them all numbers approximately 100 with the entire population living in Iran.

Super Fast Cheetahs
Perhaps the best known cheetah fact is its speed. Cheetahs are considered to be the fastest land mammal in the world reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour. Incredibly, cheetahs can accelerate with a speed of 0 to 40 in three simple steps and 0 to 70 in only a few seconds beating practically all exotic sports cars.

Cheetahs Practically Fly
One of the most incredible cheetah facts is the way this gorgeous cat runs. While most of us have seen footage of this amazing cat run full speed after prey, if you slow the film down, it is possible to see that a cheetah usually only touches one of its four feet at a time and even more amazingly is that during a high speed sprint, the cheetah can barely touch the ground with practically any of its paws-giving the illusion of flying through the air.

Cheetahs are Made for Speed
Cheetahs are amazing creatures; another interesting cheetah fact is that this cat is designed by nature for speed. Cheetahs have huge hearts and livers; they also have a sleek body and paws that include tread like pads. While a cheetah is made for speed, the amount of energy it takes to power the acceleration of this cat is immense. After a few failed attempts at full speed to catch prey, it may not have the energy to hunt any longer and will starve.

For more interesting cheetah facts, the Smithsonian Magazine has put together an insightful article on the beauty and life of the cheetah. You can read it today by visiting our website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Cheetah Facts: The Hard Life of the World's Fastest Cat

One of the most disturbing cheetah facts is the decline in the population of this incredible animal. About 100 years ago, it’s estimated that there were over 100,000 cheetahs all over the world, from Africa to Asia to the Mediterranean. Today, most of the countries which used to host a generous cheetah population have none at all. Those cheetahs that remain are isolated mostly In Africa, and make up only 12,000 to 15,000 individual animals.

One type of cheetah has even gone almost completely extinct-- even though cheetah facts show it was thriving a hundred years ago. The Asian cheetah used to live over many parts of Asia, including Israel, India, and Iran. Today, there are less than 100 of these incredibly rare Asian Cheetahs left, all of them in tiny population in Iran.

Interesting Cheetah Facts: Super Speed

The cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world, and one of the most well-known cheetah facts is its amazing speed-- the cheetah can run up to 70 miles per hour, accelerating from zero to forty mph in just three steps, and from zero to seventy mph in just a few seconds. When a cheetah is running full speed, only one of its four feet touch the ground at a time, and (here’s one of the most fascinating cheetah facts!) there are times that its feet don’t touch the ground at all-- this animal is so fast it practically flies. The cheetah is an animal designed for speed and almost nothing else, from its large heart and liver to its flat paws with hard, tread-like pads.

The Life of a Cheetah: Facts of Difficult Survival

Yes, cheetahs are amazingly fast and specialized animals. But that’s where their luck ends… because life is very hard for a cheetah. Cheetah factsshow that a cheetah can only keep up its top speed for 400 to 600 meters before it has to stop; usually without having caught any prey. And when it’s done, the cheetah is completely exhausted, and very vulnerable. After a run, a cheetah is both vulnerable to having its prey stolen by larger, stronger animals, and also to being attacked itself.

Life just isn’t easy for a cheetah. Facts show that cheetahs just aren’t equipped to protect themselves or their cubs. Unlike most big cats, cheetahs are not at all aggressive, and instinct tells them to run from a fight rather than face it. Compared to lions, tigers, and leopards, cheetahs have small frames and weak jaws and teeth. Without the strength and ability of the larger cats, cheetahs will always be lower down on the food chain-- and forced to watch their young be preyed upon by larger predators. To learn more cheetah facts, including more about the difficult lives cheetahs live, visit the Smithsonian Magazine website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Amazing Cheetah Facts

It’s sleek, wild, beautiful and extremely fast.  No it is not the new sports car, but the cheetah.  Cheetahs are not only some of the most beautiful cats in the world; they have the reputation for being the fastest land animals on earth.  One well known cheetah fact is that they can sprint at about 70 miles per hour and they reach these incredible speeds in just a few seconds flat.

Cheetah facts will thrill you, because these cats are truly amazing.  Unfortunately, their numbers have been in decline for decades leaving only a few thousand still roaming the wild.  While you can see cheetahs in most large zoos, little is known about the cheetah in its natural habitat.

The Smithsonian Magazine has an excellent article regarding cheetah facts.  Whether you are a cat lover or speed freak, you will enjoy learning many cheetah facts that are interesting and mostly unknown.  Here’s a cheetah fact you probably didn’t know.  The cheetah has a wonderful coat that is imitated by countless fashion designers, however one will be interested to know that the cheetah’s coat is not soft and luxurious, but quite prickly and coarse.

There are plenty of other cheetah facts that will amaze and inspire and you can find them at Smithsonian Magazine.  You can learn more about this incredible cat at the following link:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com

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Super Cheetah Facts

Cheetahs are considered to be the fastest land animal in the world reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Just like an exotic sports car, they are fast, beautiful and dangerous. Cheetahs have always piqued man’s curiosity and today after careful research and study, more is known about these beautiful cats than ever before. For those interested in cheetah facts, Smithsonian Magazine offers one of the best articles on the subject.

While cheetahs are incredibly beautiful and well known for their incredible attributes, they are quite rare and on the verge of extinction. However, many animal conservationists have targeted the cheetah to ensure that their beauty survives for the years to come. If you are interested in cheetah facts, you can learn quite a lot from Smithsonian’s magazine article: Rare Breed.

Smithsonian offers incredible insight and beautiful photos of this incredible creature. For cat lovers of all ages, the mystery of the cheetah and the incredible lifestyle that this cat leads is finally revealed. Two interesting cheetah facts to whet your appetite is this cat’s amazing coat. You might think this cat’s spotted fur is extremely smooth and luxurious; however it is quite rough and prickly. Another interesting fact is that unlike other big cats, females are quite solitary, unlike their male counterparts which live in groups of siblings.

There is so much more interesting cheetah facts to learn about. For those interested in cheetah facts, visit the Smithsonian magazine today for more about this one of a kind cat. http://www.smithsonianmag.com

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Cheetah Facts: Nature's Fastest Hunters

Slim, graceful, and powerful, cheetahs can’t help but capture our imaginations. Some cheetah facts are well known, such their famed ability to run up to 70 miles an hour (a speed they can reach in just four seconds). Or their gorgeous spotted coat and graceful movements. These are all things we’ve all seen and marveled over in wildlife documentaries. But there are some more interesting facts about this big cat that may surprise you.

Let’s start with the cheetah’s beautiful spotted coat. You might imagine that it would feel as soft and silky as a housecat’s. But in reality, the cheetah’s coat is rough and prickly… not pleasant to the touch at all. And while not nice on your fingertips, this is a good thing for the cheetah-- it saves the big cat from being hunted for its fur. Another of the more surprising cheetah facts is the cheetah’s lifestyle. If you’ve seen documentaries about lions, you might imagine that cheetahs live much the same way-- the females group together, live together, and hunt together. Sound about right?

In reality, the cheetah’s lifestyle works in exactly the opposite way. Female cheetahs are incredibly solitary creatures. They live alone and generally die alone, spending their lives ranging across massive distances. Female cheetahs only looking for companionship to mate and have cubs. One of the most interesting cheetah facts is how the males live-- unlike females, male cheetahs live in groups of siblings, and they hunt together and spend their lives together.

A Species in Danger

Like many of the world’s big cats, the cheetah is an endangered species. About 100 years ago, there were 100,000 or so cheetahs on the planet; as of the 1970’s there were about 30,000. The most disturbing of cheetah facts? The number of them that remain today. Today, the world’s population of cheetahs is a tiny 12,500-- less than half of their number in 1970.

Why are cheetahs so endangered? Here’s one of the cheetah facts you probably already know: the most significant contributor to the reduction in their numbers is man. But another part of the reason why it’s so difficult to increase the cheetah population lies with the cheetah itself-- cheetahs are not very fertile, and don’t breed well in captivity. In the past, birth rates were practically zero, and the few cubs that resulted from breeding programs tended to die. Wildlife biologists are just learning how to breed them with any sort of success.

Despite conservationists’ efforts, the world’s population of cheetahs is steadily diminishing. To learn more cheetah facts and educate yourself about protecting these beautiful big cats, visit the Smithsonian Magazine website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/