Cheetahs!

Everyone knows the cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world. It can run 70 miles per hour!!!! So when we found out that we could see the cheetahs run at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, I quickly added it to my MUST DO list.

The Centre is a breeding and research facility that was started by Ann van Dyk in 1971. Some of the cheetahs were rescued and others were born there. The Centre also has hyenas, wild dogs, carcals, honey badgers, vultures, among others. It was a highly impressive experience and we learned a lot.

Here are some cheetah facts you may not know:

- They are endangered. Only an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 remain in the wild

- After a cheetah makes a kill, they must eat very quickly before another predator takes it. Often the cheetah is so exhausted after the kill that they cannot eat before it is taken. This is a big threat to their survival.

- It takes a cheetah 3 strides to accelerate from 0 to 40 mph, and only a few more seconds to reach 70 mph

- They cannot retract their claws

- Cheetahs do not need to drink water, they get all they need from their prey

- The tail acts as a powerful rudder and also a stabilizer

- They are more active during the day than night

- The call of the cheetah is known as a “chirp” and sounds like sparrow

And, finally, here are photos from our adventure.

Has this convinced you to come visit so you can see the cheetahs?! :-)

Love,
Jess & Mat