Hey there! Welcome to Fast Cheetah Facts. This is a fun, friendly website made by a cheetah-loving college student.
Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about cheetahs: from awesome fast facts to the best resources to help protect them.
Hey there! Welcome to Fast Cheetah Facts. This is a fun, friendly website made by a cheetah-loving college student.
Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about cheetahs: from awesome fast facts to the best resources to help protect them.
A little Bit of History...
A little Bit of History...
Cheetahs have been around for millions of years. Fossil evidence shows that their earliest ancestors lived in North America, and that today’s cheetahs likely descended from species that migrated to Asia and Africa around 100,000 years ago. Over time, cheetahs spread across Africa, the Middle East, and into India, becoming one of the most widespread cats on the planet. Their historic range stretched from Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula to central India and Tajikistan, and throughout most of Africa.
Unfortunately, humans changed everything. As agriculture expanded and European settlers moved into new regions, cheetahs were often seen as threats to livestock and were hunted as “vermin.” By the 1970s, their numbers and habitat had dropped drastically. Today, cheetahs survive in just a fraction of their former range.
Where Do They Live?
Cheetahs have been around for millions of years. Fossil evidence shows that their earliest ancestors lived in North America, and that today’s cheetahs likely descended from species that migrated to Asia and Africa around 100,000 years ago. Over time, cheetahs spread across Africa, the Middle East, and into India, becoming one of the most widespread cats on the planet. Their historic range stretched from Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula to central India and Tajikistan, and throughout most of Africa.
Unfortunately, humans changed everything. As agriculture expanded and European settlers moved into new regions, cheetahs were often seen as threats to livestock and were hunted as “vermin.” By the 1970s, their numbers and habitat had dropped drastically. Today, cheetahs survive in just a fraction of their former range.
Where Do They Live?
Cheetahs live mostly in Africa, with a very small population hanging on in Iran. Their range might not be as big as it once was, but the habitats they still occupy are some of the most breathtaking places on Earth.
Most wild cheetahs live in Southern and Eastern Africa, where wide, open savannas and grasslands give them perfect space to run and catch prey; and a small, scattered population inhabits Northern and Western Africa's remote desserts. The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), survives in central Iran, in arid regions like the Dasht-e Kavir Desert.
Cheetahs love open habitats , they avoid thick forests and wetlands since they rely on visibility and speed to hunt. Although they’re mostly ground dwellers, cheetahs sometimes climb low trees or termite mounds to look for prey or watch out for danger.
Cheetahs live mostly in Africa, with a very small population hanging on in Iran. Their range might not be as big as it once was, but the habitats they still occupy are some of the most breathtaking places on Earth.
Most wild cheetahs live in Southern and Eastern Africa, where wide, open savannas and grasslands give them perfect space to run and catch prey; and a small, scattered population inhabits Northern and Western Africa's remote desserts. The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), survives in central Iran, in arid regions like the Dasht-e Kavir Desert.
Cheetahs love open habitats , they avoid thick forests and wetlands since they rely on visibility and speed to hunt. Although they’re mostly ground dwellers, cheetahs sometimes climb low trees or termite mounds to look for prey or watch out for danger.
What Do They Look Like?
Body size ~ 3.5 - 5 ft + tail length.
Body weight ~ 65 - 143 lbs.
Tan or golden-yellow fur with small, solid black spots.
What Do They Look Like?
Body size ~ 3.5 - 5 ft + tail length.
Body weight ~ 65 - 143 lbs.
Tan or golden-yellow fur with small, solid black spots.
What Do They Eat?
What Do They Eat?
Cheetahs are carnivores that mainly eat small to medium-sized ungulates (animals with hooves). Their favorite meals include gazelles, impalas, hares, and young wildebeest. Cheetahs are daytime hunters and rely on sight to find prey. They usually eat once every two to five days, depending on success.
So How Fast Are They?
They can reach speeds up to 112 km/h (70 mph), but only for short bursts of about 20–30 seconds before overheating. Their stride can stretch 6-7 meters (about 20 feet) in a single leap, and they take nearly four steps per second when running at top speed. To support that sprint, their spine acts like a spring, stretching and contracting with each stride, their claws grip the ground like cleats, and their tail works like a rudder, helping them turn quickly while chasing.
How Many Wild Cheetahs Are Left?
The cheetah is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (a worldwide index that identifies how close species are to extinction), with fewer than 7,000 individuals left in the wild. Some of the major threats include: Habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict (especially with farmers), poaching and illegal pet trade, and declining genetic diversity. Conservation groups like the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, and ZSL are working on community education, habitat protection, and breeding programs to save this incredible species.
Cheetahs are carnivores that mainly eat small to medium-sized ungulates (animals with hooves). Their favorite meals include gazelles, impalas, young wildebeest, young warthogs, birds and hares. Cheetahs are daytime hunters and rely on sight to find prey. They usually eat once every two to five days, depending on success.
Gazelle
Impala
Young Wildebeest
Hare
So How Fast Are They?
They can reach speeds up to 112 km/h (70 mph), but only for short bursts of about 20–30 seconds before overheating. Their stride can stretch 6-7 meters (about 20 feet) in a single leap, and they take nearly four steps per second when running at top speed. To support that sprint, their spine acts like a spring, stretching and contracting with each stride, their claws grip the ground like cleats, and their tail works like a rudder, helping them turn quickly while chasing.
How Many Wild Cheetahs Are Left?
The cheetah is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List (a worldwide index that identifies how close species are to extinction), with fewer than 7,000 individuals left in the wild. Some of the major threats include: Habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict (especially with farmers), poaching and illegal pet trade, and declining genetic diversity. Conservation groups like the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Action for Cheetahs in Kenya, and ZSL are working on community education, habitat protection, and breeding programs to save this incredible species.
Did
You
Know
That...
The “king cheetah” is a real thing?
Most cheetahs have small round spots, but a rare color morph called the king cheetah has bold stripes and large blotches down its back. It’s caused by a recessive gene, so two carriers can produce a king-patterned cub even if they look normal. You might see this morph more often in captive breeding programs than in the wild!
Source: Smithsonian’s National Zoo — https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/cheetah
Did You
Know That...
The “king cheetah” is a real thing?
Most cheetahs have small round spots, but a rare color morph called the king cheetah has bold stripes and large blotches down its back. It’s caused by a recessive gene, so two carriers can produce a king-patterned cub even if they look normal. You might see this morph more often in captive breeding programs than in the wild!
Source: Smithsonian’s National Zoo — https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/cheetah
Fast cheetah fact updated weekly! ⬆️⬆️
Fast cheetah fact updated weekly! ⬆️⬆️
Many amazing people and organizations throughout the world are working hard to protect cheetahs and their habitats. Whether you want to learn more, donate, or simply share accurate information online, this section is here to connect you with reliable organizations doing important conservation work. Here are some trusted groups making a real difference:
CCF rescues injured cheetahs, rehabilitates orphaned cubs, and helps farmers live peacefully alongside wildlife using livestock-guarding dogs. They also lead groundbreaking research on genetics and conservation. This is my favorite website and the most complete one in my opinion. It is a great source if you want to research more about cheetahs! Support their work by donating or symbolically adopting a cheetah on their website:
AWF protects Africa’s landscapes, supports ranger teams, and works closely with communities to create wildlife-friendly solutions. Their conservation strategy is essential because most cheetahs live outside protected parks. You can help by exploring their initiatives or donating directly on their website:
ACK monitors wild cheetahs, studies prey availability, and helps herders protect livestock without harming wildlife. Their research is crucial for safeguarding Kenya’s remaining cheetah populations. You can learn more or donate directly through their official website:
WWF works in over 100 countries to protect wildlife and ecosystems, helping safeguard prey species and habitats that cheetahs rely on. They also combat illegal wildlife trade and promote sustainable development. Support their global mission by adopting an animal or donating through their official site:
ZSL is a conservation charity that combines scientific research field projects to protect species across the world. Their work in Africa and Asia helps monitor cheetah populations, restore habitats, and support communities living alongside wildlife. Through long-term studies and global partnerships, ZSL strengthens conservation strategies that benefit cheetahs and many other threatened species. You can learn more about their impact or support their mission by donating directly through their official website:
Many amazing people and organizations throughout the world are working hard to protect cheetahs and their habitats. Whether you want to learn more, donate, or simply share accurate information online, this section is here to connect you with reliable organizations doing important conservation work. Here are some trusted groups making a real difference:
CCF rescues injured cheetahs, rehabilitates orphaned cubs, and helps farmers live peacefully alongside wildlife using livestock-guarding dogs. They also lead groundbreaking research on genetics and conservation. Support their work by donating or symbolically adopting a cheetah on their website:
AWF protects Africa’s landscapes, supports ranger teams, and works closely with communities to create wildlife-friendly solutions. Their conservation strategy is essential because most cheetahs live outside protected parks. You can help by exploring their initiatives or donating directly on their website:
ACK monitors wild cheetahs, studies prey availability, and helps herders protect livestock without harming wildlife. Their field-based research is crucial for safeguarding Kenya’s remaining cheetah populations. You can learn more or donate directly through their official website:
WWF works in over 100 countries to protect wildlife and ecosystems, helping safeguard prey species and habitats that cheetahs rely on. They also combat illegal wildlife trade and promote sustainable development. Support their global mission by adopting an animal or donating through their official site:
ZSL is a conservation charity that combines scientific research with on-the-ground field projects to protect species across the world. Their work in Africa and Asia helps monitor cheetah populations, restore habitats, and support communities living alongside wildlife. Through long-term studies and global partnerships, ZSL strengthens conservation strategies that benefit cheetahs and many other threatened species. You can learn more about their impact or support their mission by donating directly through their official website:
Why Did I Create This Website?
My name is Camila. I'm a college student with a lifelong love for cheetahs and wildlife. Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by these incredible animals. Their speed, their beautiful patterns, their resilience and survival despite the adversities they face. I created Fast Cheetah Facts as a welcoming place where anyone, no matter their age, can learn clear, accurate, and fun information about cheetahs and the conservation efforts that protect them. Here you’ll find some general information, weekly science-based fun facts, and a list of trusted organizations working to protecting wildlife. My goal for this website is to inspire learning, spark curiosity, and encourage real support for conservation. I’m always open to constructive feedback and suggestions to make this website even better, so please reach out if you'd like to share your ideas! You can also follow along on Instagram to catch each new weekly fact as soon as it comes out!
Why Did I Create This Website?
My name is Camila. I'm a college student with a lifelong love for cheetahs and wildlife. Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by these incredible animals. Their speed, their beautiful patterns, their resilience and survival despite the adversities they face. I created Fast Cheetah Facts as a welcoming place where anyone, no matter their age, can learn clear, accurate, and fun information about cheetahs and the conservation efforts that protect them. Here you’ll find some general information, weekly science-based fun facts, and a list of trusted organizations working to protecting wildlife. My goal for this website is to inspire learning, spark curiosity, and encourage real support for conservation. I’m always open to constructive feedback and suggestions to make this website even better, so please reach out if you'd like to share your ideas! You can also follow along on Instagram to catch each new weekly fact as soon as it comes out.
FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM
Fast Cheetah Facts is an independent educational website created for learning and awareness. While I strive to provide accurate, science-based information, content may evolve with new research. This site does not collect donations—please contribute only through the official websites of the conservation organizations featured here.