Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

NATURAL HABITAT
Found in grasslands, savannahs, areas with dense vegetation and mountainous regions

DIET
IN THE WILD – Variety of small antelope, rabbits, warthogs, gazelles and birds
IN THE ZOO – Specialized carnivore diet, whole prey, and bones

FASCINATING FACTS

  • Cheetahs are the fastest land mammal in the world, reaching speeds of 70 mph in three seconds, which is faster than the acceleration of a sports car!
  • Cheetahs may be fast, but they are only able to maintain that speed for around a minute.
  • They are the only big cat that cannot roar but they often purr, especially when close to other cheetahs.
  • Cheetahs have built-in sun glare protection that runs from the inside corner of their eyes down to the outside edges of their mouth. This helps them hunt their prey in direct sunlight by reflecting the sun’s glare.
  • Their eyesight is exceptional, allowing them to spot their prey over three miles away.
  • Cheetahs use their tail to control their steering and keep balance while they are running at top speed.
  • They have special semi non-retractable claws that work like football cleats and provide traction while running.
  • Their fur is covered in black spots and so is their skin. The black hair grows out of the black spots on their skin.
  • Visitors in 2022
    Visitors in 2022

    349,564

  • CAMPERS IN 2021
    CAMPERS IN 2021

    1,864

  • CREATURES CARED FOR
    CREATURES CARED FOR

    400