How fast can a cheetah run?
A cheetah can sprint at about 100 to 110 km/h (60 to 70 mph) in short bursts, usually for 20 to 30 seconds, making it the fastest land animal.
Cheetahs accelerate astonishingly fast, from 0 to about 95 km/h in roughly three seconds. Their flexible spine stretches and bends with each stride, letting them cover up to about 7 meters per step. Their semi-retractable claws grip the ground like running spikes.
Studies of wild cheetahs with tracking collars found that they often hunt at lower speeds than their maximum, relying more on quick acceleration and sharp turns than on top speed.
The cost of speed
Sprinting heats a cheetah's body and uses huge amounts of energy, so it must rest after a chase. About half of its hunts fail, and larger predators such as lions and hyenas often steal its kills.
Cheetahs are now endangered in many areas. Scientists estimate that fewer than 7,000 adults remain in the wild, mostly in eastern and southern Africa, with a tiny population in Iran. Habitat loss, conflict with farmers and the illegal pet trade are their biggest threats, and conservation groups work with ranchers to protect both livestock and cats.
Did You Know?
Cheetahs cannot roar. Instead, they purr, chirp and make bird-like sounds to communicate.