Cheetah Speeds | Cheetah Conservation

Their Adaptions to Speeds

Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals, reaching speeds of 110-120 km per hour (about 75 miles per hour).

They are built for speed and don't carry any extra weight, making them rather weak and unable to defend themselves in a fight.

Their tail is vital to them, they use it as a rudder to help them steer, as a fly swat, and as a brake to help them stop when running
They have a very flexible spine which gives them greatest possible reach when running, their strides can be between 7 & 8 metres apart
They have a small head, with large nasal passages which allows them to get their breath back as quickly as possible after they have been running
Their long legs enable them to accelerate very quickly, going from 0-80km per hour in 3 seconds
They have a large rib cage which houses a large heart and lungs
Their semi-retractable claws help them grip the ground when running, giving them traction

Are you interested in volunteering at the Dell Cheetah Centre and helping us save the cheetah?

Our volunteer programme is designed to introduce you to the fascinating wildlife African has to offer as well as the incredible cheetah, and to work closely in all aspects of reserve management.

Find out how you can help >>