Cheetahs are the fastest land animal

Cheetahs can run up to 70 miles per hour and can reach that speed in just a few seconds. 

Cheetahs are crepuscular hunters

Cheetahs hunt at dawn and dusk, which is believed to be an adaptation to avoid competing with other big cats. 

Cheetahs have unique spot patterns

Each cheetah has a unique pattern of black spots on their fur and skin. 

Cheetahs are not natural climbers

Cheetahs have non-retractable claws, so it's uncommon to see them in trees. 

Cheetahs don't roar

Cheetahs lack the two-piece bone in their throat that allows other big cats to roar. Instead, they growl, chirp, hiss, and purr. 

Baby cheetahs have a "mohawk"

Baby cheetahs have long, downy hair that runs from the top of their head to their backs. 

Cheetahs are endangered

There are fewer than 7,500 cheetahs left in the wild, making them Africa's most endangered big cat. 

The word "cheetah" comes from Hindi

The word "cheetah" comes from the Hindi word chita, which means "spotted one".