Long and lanky, cheetahs are the sprinters of the cat world. Their bodies are uniquely designed to run very fast for fairly short distances, allowing them to catch prey that other big cats can’t get. A cheetah’s ability to run starts with its flexible spine, which allows the front legs to stretch far forward on each stride.

The cheetah is the single surviving species of the genus Acinonyx. A cheetah's footprints have claw tips visible, more like a dog's than like a typical cat's print. Cheetahs have very low levels of genetic variation compared to other mammals, making them susceptible to disease.

Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animal—capable of reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour. Throughout history, these remarkable cats have adorned the courts of kings, queens, and emperors, and their amazing grace and beauty still captivate the world today.

Long and lanky, cheetahs are the sprinters of the cat world. Their body is designed to run fast for short distances, allowing them to catch prey that other big cats can’t get. The cheetahs’ ability to run starts with their flexible spine.

Spot our cheetahs on our free, 24/7 Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium live cheetah webcam!

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a long history with the African cheetah. For almost 30 years, these extraordinary cats have been part of a breeding program to produce offspring from genetically valuable individuals to bolster cheetah populations.

The fastest animal on land, the cheetah can reach speeds up to 70 miles per hour over short distances. A sleek body, flexible backbone, long legs, non-retractable claws, and muscular tail assist the cheetah during high-speed chases. Learn more: The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is dedicated to saving the world’s fastest land animal.

Cheetahs are listed by the IUCN, the world’s leading conservation site, as a vulnerable species. Today, fewer than 12,500 wild cheetahs survive, down from 100,000 a century ago. They are extremely rare anywhere in their Asian range and are increasingly rare in Africa, particularly outside of protected national parks.

Height: 27 – 35 in.; weight: 77 – 143 lbs. Lightly built with long legs, small blunt feet with unsheathed claws, swayback, short neck, small rounded head, shortened face, broad low ears and small teeth.

In zoos, cheetahs can live up to 17 years. Cub mortality is high for the species in both the wild and in zoos. Diet: Cheetahs are carnivorous and eat about 6 pounds of meat daily. In the wild, they prey on a variety of species from rabbits to small antelope and the young of larger antelope.