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Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), known as the fastest land animals, have long, slender bodies covered with unique black spots scattered across their tan coats. The name cheetah comes from the Sanskrit word "chitraka," which means "the spotted one," according to the World Wildlife Fund.
With aerodynamic bodies, long legs and blunt, semi-retractable claws, cheetahs are formidable carnivores that can sprint at speeds of up to 60 to 70 mph (96 to 112 km/h), according to the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
Physical characteristics
Adult cheetahs are, on average, 30 inches (77 centimeters) tall at the shoulder, and 44 to 56 inches (112 to 142 cm) long from head to rump, with their tails adding another 26 to 33 inches (66 to 84 cm). Typically, these large cats weigh between 75 and 140 lbs. (34 to 64 kilograms), according to the Smithsonian.
Cheetahs are the fastest land animal and can reach sprinting seeds as fast as 45 mph in just 2.5 seconds.
Cheetahs are the fastest land animal and can reach sprinting seeds as fast as 45 mph in just 2.5 seconds. (Image credit: Shutterstock)
Cheetahs have long, thin bodies with long, powerful legs and a flexible spine. Such characteristics allow these runners to stretch their long bodies when they sprint and cover significant ground with each rapid stride — around 20 to 22 feet (6 to 6.7 meters) per stride, according to the San Diego Zoo. Cheetahs have been known to accelerate from 0 to 45 mph (72 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds. For comparison, the fastest cars in the world can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, according to Consumer Reports.
Cheetahs can also turn very quickly, even while in midair, thanks to their long tail, which counters their body weight. Their semi-retractable claws, similar to dog claws, provide great traction during sprints and sudden turns.
A cheetah's spotted coat helps it blend into its environment when it's resting, stalking prey and hiding from predators. Cheetahs also contain signature black tear streaks on their faces that go from their eyes to their mouths.
The social lives of cheetahs
Female cheetahs tend to be solitary, while males typically live in groups made up of other male siblings called coalitions, according to the Smithsonian. Females socialize with males only when mating but then raise their offspring on their own.
The gestation period of female cheetahs is around 3 months and litter sizes are typically between three and five cubs, according to the San Diego Zoo. Cubs weigh between 5 and 10 ounces (150 to 300 grams) when born, not much larger than a newborn housecat, which typically weight between 3 and 4 ounces. Cubs are born with all their spots and long manes called mantles on their neck and shoulders, which disappear as they get older. [Photos: Cat Album: The Life of a Cheetah]
When the cubs reach about 6 months of age, the mother will start teaching them to hunt and avoid predators, such as lions and hyenas. The mother will keep her cubs on the move as they try to avoid predators. Mothers live with their cubs for about 18 months. Even under the mother’s watchful eye, about 70 percent of cubs are killed by predators that include lions and hyenas.
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