Fun Facts About Cheetahs You Probably Didn’t Know

Cheetah
Photo by Henning Borgersen on Unsplash

You probably already know that cheetahs are the world’s fastest animal. But there are so many more interesting things and fun facts about these remarkable large cats that you probably don’t know. Continue reading to find them out.

Cheetahs Have up to 3,000 Spots

Cheetahs are one of the most famous spotted animals. They usually have from 2,000 to 3,000 of them covering their fur. Every cheetah has a distinct spot pattern, making them similar to human fingerprints.

Cheetahs Produce “Meows”

You would probably expect cheetahs to have a powerful roar like all the other big cats. But the truth is that their “voice box” is more similar to domestic cats, which is why they produce meows instead. They also purr.

Cheetahs Are Day Hunters

Cheetahs also differ from most other cats in their approach to hunting. Instead of being nocturnal hunters, they usually hunt by day. According to experts, they got accustomed to day hunting to avoid competition from more powerful predators. When the temperatures get extreme, they hunt their prey at dusk and dawn.

Cheetahs Live in 3 Social Groups

Female cheetahs usually live on their own and only seek the company of male cheetahs during the mating period. Male cheetahs, on the other hand, form “coalitions” that see several specimens take over a part of the territory and protect it. There are also male cheetahs that live solitary lives, but they are not common.