International Cheetah Day on 4 December 2025 shines a spotlight on one of Africa’s most captivating—and often misunderstood—predators.
The Lion & Safari Park, home to several stunning cheetahs, invites families, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers to witness these remarkable cats up close.
Famed for their speed, cheetahs are much more than nature’s fastest hunters. Their clever adaptations, unique behaviors, and the challenges they face in the wild reveal a species both fascinating and vulnerable.
To celebrate these icons of the African savanna, the park has compiled 10 incredible facts that highlight just how extraordinary cheetahs truly are. Let’s check them out:
1. They have built-in sunglasses
Those bold black “tear marks” are not just for dramatic effect. They are made of dark pigment that absorbs sunlight, reducing glare and helping cheetahs see clearly during midday hunts, something few predators attempt.
2. Faster than a Ferrari, but only for 20–30 seconds
A cheetah can accelerate from 0 to 120 km/h faster than a sports car, but it can only maintain that pace for half a minute. Afterward, its temperature skyrockets and it collapses to recover. This is a reminder of how physically extreme each chase is.
3. Permanent running spikes
Unlike lions or leopards, cheetahs can’t fully retract their claws. They function like sprinting spikes, giving traction during high-speed pursuits. Even the paw pads have a tough ridge designed for grip.
4. They chirp, not roar
Cheetahs cannot roar due to the structure of their larynx. Instead, they “chirp”, a high-pitched, birdlike call used between siblings, mothers and cubs, or when greeting familiar humans.
5. Heart-breaking cub survival odds
A mother cheetah can give birth to as many as nine cubs, but only one typically survives to adulthood. Predation, starvation and habitat loss make their early years incredibly dangerous.
6. Cubs are born with a punk-rock cape
Nature has provided the cubs with a unique defence. Newborn cheetahs have a long, silvery mantle of hair running down their backs, mimicking the colouring of a fierce honey badger, a natural defence that helps discourage predators.
7. No tree climbing for these cats
Those blunt, semi-retractable claws mean cheetahs are poor climbers. Instead, they use termite mounds, rocks and raised structures to scan the landscape for prey.
8. Strategy over strength
Weighing far less than lions and leopards, cheetahs rely on stealth and timing rather than brute force. They trip prey by hooking a claw behind the back leg, a precise move executed at incredible speeds.
9. One third of all cheetahs now live on farmland
Around a third of the remaining cheetah population lives outside protected areas, often near livestock. Conservation programmes, including metapopulation initiatives supported by private reserves like Lion & Safari Park, are helping reduce conflict and protect genetics.
10. A purr you feel in your chest
When relaxed and content, cheetahs produce an astonishingly loud, deep purr that can be heard across an enclosure. It’s one of the most surprisingly soothing sounds in the animal kingdom.
For more information, visit www. lion&SafariPark.com or the Lion & Safari Park’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
Editorial Note:
No payment or sponsorship influenced the publication of this content.
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