Cheetah Fun Facts

  • The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world, reaching speeds of up to 113km/h. They can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in just 3 seconds.
  • When running, cheetahs use their tail to steer, like a rudder for a boat.
  • Cheetahs are the only big cat that can turn in mid-air while sprinting.
  • Cheetahs do not roar like lions, however they do have a range of other meaningful vocalizations such as purring, growling and a variety of contact calls which resemble bird-like chirping sounds.
  • Females are solitary, whereas males tend to live in small groups of 2-3 individuals, usually brothers.

Get up close and personal with the big cats and dangerous birds in this clip from our Tapping IN South Africa episode. Learn all about these amazing animals with Linda!

You can volunteer for your own cheetah experience here.