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Cheetah
Cheetah
Mammal. The world's fastest land animal, the cheetah can go from 0 to 65 km (40 mi) per hour in three strides, with a single stride covering 7-8 meters (23-26 feet). Cheetahs can reach full speed 110 km (70 mi) per hour in seconds. They are the only cats who have nonretractile claws. This gives them better traction, and helps maintain their footing while they run. Cheetahs are one of the few big cats who can purr. They also make other unusual sounds such as chirping, yelping, and bleating. Females live alone except when they are raising cubs. Males live in coalitions of two to five members.
Scientific Name Lifespan
Acinonyx jubatus 15 years
Diet
Carnivore. Small antelope (such as gazelles and impalas), warthogs, hares, and game birds.
Predators and Threats
Eagles, hyenas, lions, leopards, baboons, and humans.
Habitat
Open woodland; plains with small thickets, medium and long grass, steppe; sub-Saharan Africa, Iran, Turkey and Turkmenistan