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/
National Archives, Diane Arbus, Cheetah Facts, Cleopatra, Tattoo Art
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