Cheetahs reign supreme as the fastest land animals on Earth, finely tuned over thousands of years of evolution to pursue the swiftest prey across the African savanna. While numerous sources state the cheetah’s top speed at an astonishing 120 km/h, surpassing even the speed limits on motorways in Kenya and the UK, the exact speed of these magnificent predators remains somewhat elusive. This week’s article will try and answer the question: how fast is a cheetah?
What do we know?
In Kenya 1996, a tamed female cheetah engaged in a series of flat-out sprints, chasing a piece of meat dragged behind a Land Rover. The recorded average speed, timed with a handheld stopwatch, stood at an impressive 63.7 mph or 102.5 km/h.
Years later, in 2015, Sarah, a cheetah living at the Cincinnati Zoo, clocked in at 61 mph or 98.2 km/h over a 100-meter stretch.
Although impressive, neither of these officially recorded speeds are quite as fast as the 120 km/h claimed by many.
Interestingly, observations of wild cheetahs in Botswana, equipped with state-of-the-art GPS collars featuring motion-detecting capabilities, revealed something else. These wild predators consistently maintained an average top speed of 33 mph or 53.7 km/h while hunting. This disparity was largely attributed to their habitat and prey preferences, as these wild cheetahs navigated wooded savannas and primarily targeted warthogs and impalas, demonstrating that their need for speed varied depending on their ecological context and hunting strategies.
In truth, further research is necessary to accurately determine the maximum speed of the world’s fastest land mammal. Given the continuous advancements in digital technology, particularly in tandem with animal conservation, we remain optimistic that this longstanding question will eventually be definitively resolved.
Adaptations for speed: How do cheetah run so fast?
There are a number of remarkable adaptations cheetahs have developed to attain these staggering speeds. First off, their long tail, measuring between 60 to 90 centimeters, plays a pivotal role. Acting as a counterbalance, it facilitates high-speed maneuvering, enabling these magnificent creatures to swiftly change direction while in full sprint.
Furthermore, their spine is incredibly flexible, boasting an exceptionally long vertebral column. This flexibility allows their spine to flex and straighten, thereby amplifying their stride length, a crucial factor in their lightning-fast movements.
Moreover, cheetahs possess remarkably large lungs, a necessity for delivering oxygen swiftly to their hard-working muscles during intense sprints. Their entire respiratory tract is enlarged to facilitate rapid oxygen transfer. During their sprints, these remarkable cats take an astounding 150 breaths per minute, a significant increase from their resting rate of 60 breaths per minute.
Lastly, their feet and claws play a crucial role in their speed. With reduced toe-webbing, their toes splay widely, enhancing their grip and stability as they run across the savannah in pursuit of prey. Their claws, which remain constantly exposed, act the same way as sprinter’s spikes, giving them more traction and aiding their ability to make quick direction changes.
Cheetah conservation: How many cheetah are there?
Various estimates exist regarding the global cheetah population, with the IUCN suggesting approximately 6,500 mature individuals in the wild, primarily distributed across Southern and Eastern Africa.
A recent Kenyan animal census indicates a population of 1,160 cheetahs, underscoring Kenya’s significant contribution to the preservation of this remarkable species. Despite this, cheetah populations are facing a rapid decline, with estimates suggesting a staggering 90% decrease in numbers over the past century.
Threats to cheetah population
Cheetahs are facing a variety of threats that pose significant challenges to their survival. Human activities, such as encroachment on their habitat, direct hunting, and the exacerbation of climate change, represent primary concerns.
Additionally, experts raise concerns about the potential transmission of infectious diseases from domestic cats to cheetah populations. Compounding these challenges is the cheetah’s limited genetic variability, hindering their ability to adapt to environmental pressures. Historical evidence indicates that cheetahs have endured genetic bottlenecks in the past, yet persevered. However, as the population of wild cheetahs continues to decline, the current genetic bottleneck presents a critical uncertainty for the species’ long-term survival.
How Tsavo Trust aims to help?
Tsavo Trust’s strategic goals are integral to cheetah conservation in the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA). Goal 1 focuses on enhancing biodiversity management in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), ensuring a secure environment for cheetahs through improved wildlife security and habitat management.
Goal 2 emphasizes community-led conservation initiatives, securing additional land for cheetah habitats while mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
Goal 3 aims to establish a resilient financing framework, sustaining long-term conservation efforts vital for cheetah survival. Through these goals, Tsavo Trust actively contributes to the conservation and protection of cheetah populations in the TCA.