Cheetah: The Fastest Wildcat Ever

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Cheetahs Are Built For Speed

Built like a greyhound, the cheetah relies on speed to catch it's prey in the open plains of the African Savannah. With the ability to reach speeds between 70 and 75 miles per hour, the Cheetah is the fastest wildcat ever.

The Top Five Reasons the Cheetah is the Fastest Wildcat 

  • Can run at speeds of up to 75 mph for short periods of time
  • Relies on speed to take down prey in the open plains
  • Claws do not retract in order to give Cheetahs more grip when running
  • Their body is long and slender to be built for speed
  • Just watch one take down it's prey, they are the fastest

Physical Appearance of Cheetahs 

A cheetah is different from other big cats in that it is built more like a greyhound. They have a long slender body with a flexible spine, long neck and small head. Their legs are lean and muscular with feet that have non-retracting claws and special pads for more traction while running at high speeds. On the face they sport their distinctive "tear mark" a black mark that runs down from each eye to their mouth. At a glance it is very obvious that these wildcats are build for speed.

Distribution of Cheetahs 

Wild cheetahs live in eastern and southwestern Africa as well as Iran. They favor the wide-open grasslands for camouflage when hunting. Their numbers have dropped significantly with an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 left living in the wild. Cheetahs tend to be solitary usually females will live alone while 2 or 3 males may live together to claim and defend a territory in the wild.

Parenting Habits of Cheetahs 

Cheetahs do not mate until after they are three years old and mating happens though out the year without a specific mating season.

After a gestation period of about 90 days a female cheetah will give birth to as many as 9 cubs, with a typical litter being closer to 5 cubs. New born cubs weight between 5 and 10 oz.

During the early weeks of a cheetah cubs life, death rate is very high at about 90%. Many cheetah cubs are killed by predators during the first several weeks of their life. Cheetah cubs will remain with their mother for the first 18 to 20 months of their life. During that time they learn how to hunt and take care of themselves.

National Geographic News About Cheetahs 

Read all the latest stories about cheetahs from National Geographic.
Baby Cheetahs Debut
On a snowy Washington, D.C., day, a cheetah cub finds warmth atop its mother, Tumai (TOO-may).
Fierce Dogs Protect Livestock, Cheetahs In Africa
An innovative program that provides guard dogs to livestock farmers at a modest cost may be helping to save wild cheetahs in southern Africa.
Rare Cheetahs Caught In Camera Trap
Its numbers may be as spotty as its coat, but the rare Asiatic cheetah is holding its own, as seen in this photograph taken by an automatic "camera trap" in Iran.

Latest News From National Geographic 

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Cheetahs on Wikipedia 

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family (Felidae) that is unique in its speed, while lacking climbing abilities. Therefore it is placed in its own genus, Acinonyx. It is the fastest land animal, reaching speeds between Although according to Cheetah, Luke Hunter and...

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Cheetara 

Remember the cartoon, ThunderCats?

Cheetara is the fastest of the Thundercats. Her lightning quick speed, though somewhat limited in use, and hand-activated bo-staff make her nearly invincible. Cheetara also has a mysterious "sixth-sense" that provides her with premonitions about the future or an accurate portrayal of the past. Although her use of this special "sixth sense" provides accurate information, it is also very limited.

Great stuff you can buy about Cheetahs 

Vote for your favorite. Or, add what's missing!

Cheetah by Luke Hunter

Cheetah by Luke Hunter

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Cheetah - Nokia 6010 Faceplate Cell Phone Cover with Keypad

Cheetah - Nokia 6010 Faceplate Cell Phone Cover with Keypad

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Cheetah - Motorola V551 Faceplate Cell Phone Cover

Cheetah - Motorola V551 Faceplate Cell Phone Cover

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Wild animals - Cheetah - Mouse Pads

Wild animals - Cheetah - Mouse Pads

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Wild animals - Cheetah - Mouse Pads

Wild animals - Cheetah - Mouse Pads

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Cheetah - Apple iPod nano 1G (1st Generation) 1GB/ 2GB/ 4GB Protector Skin Decals - Faceplates

Cheetah - Apple iPod nano 1G (1st Generation) 1GB/ 2GB/ 4GB Protector Skin Decals - Faceplates

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Your turn: Am I right? 

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

Great lens. I knew the chetaah was the fastest but I didn't know much else about it.
Thanks for the info
Lizzy

ReplyPosted August 01, 2008

totalhealth wrote...

nice lens on information about cheetahs...

ReplyPosted July 10, 2008

sisterra wrote...

Great lens - loved the photos.

ReplyPosted June 28, 2008

d-artist wrote...

my favorite wild cat, the Cheetah...I am doing a painting of one at this time 5*s

ReplyPosted May 01, 2008

purple83 wrote...

Such a beautiful creature i like your lens five stars from me

Please check out my lens about Global warming and going green some great info there for all ages to see just click my name thanks again for a great lens

ReplyPosted April 28, 2008

NooNoo wrote...

Great lens, very informative, thanks

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ReplyPosted April 20, 2008

EliteClubs wrote...

This lens is great, very informative, thank you.

Eliteclubs
Email Marketing Elite

ReplyPosted April 17, 2008

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Thanks for the great information ,really cool lens.
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ReplyPosted March 21, 2008

Karendelac wrote...

Great lens. 5 Stars.
I love the info on the chetaah and I also do think that it is the fastest wildcat in the world.
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ReplyPosted November 25, 2007

cdreyer03 wrote...

Great information on the Cheetah!

ReplyPosted November 15, 2007

Jam Out With The Cheetah Girls 

The Cheetah Girls - The Party's Just Begun

The Party's Just Begun is FULL from the Cheetah Girls 2!

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