General Interesting Facts

Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) originate from a puma ancestor and date back approximately 4.9 million years

Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals in the world, reaching speeds of up to 120 km per hour. The adaptation of a small head, long legs and a light frame enable them to run at such speeds, however, they are unable to maintain this speed for more than about 400-500 metres

They are solitary animals, although coalitions of males, and a female with her cubs are sometimes found

They are often confused with leopards as they are the only other large spotted cat, but differ in many significant ways, such as build, hunting technique and time, habitat, prey species, vocalisations, and appearance

Cheetahs are not aggressive, preferring to flee rather than fight when faced with confrontation with other large predators. Consequently they lose a significant percentage of their kills to other predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas and even vultures. They are also the only predator that has not been known to attack humans in the wild

• Their Endangered Status
• Their Adaptions to Speed
• Their Diet & Hunting Technique

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 >>