Commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, the name "cheetah" comes from a Hindi word meaning "spotted one" or from the Sanskrit word "chitraka". The world's fastest land animal the Cheetah is the most unique and specialized member of the cat family.
The cheetah is aerodynamically built for speed and can accelerate from zero to 40 mph in three strides and to full speed of 70 mph in seconds. There are two points, in its 20 to 25 foot stride when no feet touch the ground. Nearing full speed, the cheetah is running at about 3½ strides per second. The cheetah's respiratory rate climbs from 60 to 150 breaths per minute during a high-speed chase and can run only 400 to 600 yards before it is exhausted; at this time it is extremely vulnerable to other predators, which may not only steal its prey, but attack it as well.
Habitat: Commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa. Their range includes sparse sub-desert, steppe, medium and long-grass plains
Size: The male cheetah are a little larger than females. An adult cheetah weighs 35 - 65 kilograms, stands about 81 centimeters tall at the shoulder and is approximately 120 - 145 centimeters long with another 70 to 80 in tail.
Appearance: An adult has yellow or tan fur with solid black round or oval spots measuring 1.9 to 3.8 centimeters in diameter. The spots cover nearly the entire body, only the white throat and abdomen are unmarked. The tail ends with 4-6 black rings and a bushy, white tuft.
Reproduction: Sexual maturity occurs at 20-23 months. Gestation is about 95 days and average litter size is 4-5 cubs.
Diet: Carnivore. Once a cheetah has made a kill, it eats quickly and keeps an eye out for scavengers such as lions, leopards, hyenas, vultures and jackals who will occasionally take away their kills. Although cheetahs usually prey on the smaller antelopes such as Thomson's gazelles and impalas, they can catch wildebeests and zebras if hunting together. They also hunt hares and other small mammals and birds.
Lifespan: 10 to 20 years.
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