Day 71: Cheetah

They are the world's fastest land mammal. The fastest recording is 70 mph! They are diurnal hunters meaning that they are more active during the day. They stalk gazelles, impalas and smaller hoofed animals. Their spotted coat allows them to blend in with dry grasses. Chasing prey takes up a lot of energy and only half of the chases are successful. Even if they make a kill opportunistic predators that they come across, like hyenas and lions, will take away the cheetah's kill. Cheetahs will often try to protect their kill from these predators by hiding it under a shady area.