A cheetah belongs to a group of animals known as the big cats. It is a fierce animal and very dangerous. They are well known for their amazing speed which means many animals can't catch it. At the same time though other prey has very little chance of getting away from it.

Characteristics of the Cheetah

There are many characteristics of the Cheetah that make it work taking a close look at. These animals are able to perform at top speeds due to the way in which their bodies are shaped. For example they feature a deep chest and at the same time they have a very narrow waist. A full grown Cheetah will range in size from 90 pounds to 140.

One of reasons why these animals are so fast has to do with the size of their nostrils. They are designed to allow more oxygen to be taken in as they are running. They also have a larger heart and lung capacity than other cats which means they don't get tired as easily. The tail is very long, up to three feet in length, and it helps to steer the Cheetah as it is running.

How can a Cheetah see so well?

Some assume that a Cheetah is nocturnal which means it only comes out at night. However, these animals also hunt and roam during the day. Their eyes feature tear marks that trail from the eyes to the nose to the mouth. They are designed to keep the sunlight out of the eyes of a Cheetah.

They are able to see very well at night, much better than during the day. That is why they prefer to hunt at night. A Cheetah will hunt during the day if there is the opportunity and they are hungry.
 

The Social Life of a Cheetah

You will find that the social life for these animals is very different depending on if they are male or female. Males are extremely social and they will often form life long bonds with other males. When a litter of Cheetah cubs has many males they will often leave the mother together and spend the rest of their life in the same area. They are extremely territorial and will fiercely defend the area that they have chosen to call their own.

You will find the female Cheetah to be a loner other than when she is mating or when she is raising cubs. The females don't have a territory to call their own, and it is common for them to explore an area that overlaps with that of males and other females. Sometimes they will bond with other females long enough to help each other raise cubs.