Asian Cheetah: Interesting Facts

The name Cheetah actually comes from an Asian word that means “speckled.”

(Image William Warby)

The word is, “Cheetah” is from Hindi, and is derived from the Sanskrit “chitraka.”

(Image Tambako The Jaguar)

Asian cheetahs used to exist across the Middle East, Central Asia, north into southern Kazakhstan and southeast into India. Now, there are only a few dozen in Iran’s central plateau desert.

(Image Tambako Ted)

The cheetah is well-known as the fastest of cats—and the fastest land animal. How does the cheetah run so fast?

(Image Michael Moss)

Slim, athletic legs.

(ImageScott Ackerman)

Not only legs. It needs to grip the earth as it runs at up to 70 mph (113km).

(Image Tambako The Jaguar)

Cheetah’s have semi-retractable claws to maintain control at high speeds.

It is also a quick starter. Cheetahs can cover 100 meters of ground in just over 7 seconds.

(Image Tambako The Jaguar)

Cheetahs differ from other big cats in their discipline, too.

(Image Ken)

They can stalk an animal from the bushes for a long time, and get very near to their prey without becoming noticed.

(Image Tambako The Jaguar)

Cheetah’s also have the skill of being able to mimic the calls of birds, which lures the birds to them.

Asian Cheetah: Interesting Facts