Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve Cheetah Facts
- Did you know that the Cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal on Earth?
- An acceleration from 0 to 60 miles (96 kilometers) an hour in a mere 3 seconds and a top speed of 112 km.
- At these high speeds these cats are nimble and can make quick and sudden turns in pursuit of their prey.
- A easy way to distinguish the difference between a Leopard and a Cheetah is its Tear Lines that run from eyes towards the mouth.
- Its is also the only cat that cannot Roar.
- Cheetah's cannot climb trees.
- The Cheetah comes from a Indian word meaning "Spotted one".
- Life span in the wild: 10 to 12 years Weight: 35 to 65 kg
- Cheetahs have exceptionally good eyesight to scan the grassland environment for signs of prey—especially antelope upto an estimated 5 km away.
- Cheetahs are daylight hunter’s as they benefit from stealthy movement and with a spotted coat for camouflage that allows it to blend easily into their environment.
- A chase will cost the Cheetah a tremendous amount of energy and usually lasts less than a minute.
- If successful, the cheetah will drag it to a place to protect it from other opportunistic animals.
Did You Know
Cheetahs need only drink once every three to four days.
Female Cheetahs:
- Will typically have a litter of three cubs and live with them for one and a half to two years.
- Young cubs spend their first year learning from their mother and practicing hunting techniques.
Male Cheetahs:
- Live alone or in small groups.
Only 7,000 to 10,000 of these big cats remain in the wild.
They favor open grasslands this area within the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve is best suited to them in the lower Umfolozi Park, travel past Mpila Camp towards Sonthuli Loop, one will quickly notice how the landscape changes to open grasslands, this is where one has the best opportunities to witness these amazing creatures.
Enjoy the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. For more Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Animals