Nature ReachA hunter built for a burst of speed
Follow the cheetah’s short, fast chase
Acinonyx jubatus
A cheetah’s chase can begin with a careful approach. Then its long legs carry it across the grass in a sudden burst of speed.
Listen in Nature Reach
These are the same real voice recordings children hear in the app.
Open ground with room to run
Cheetahs live in parts of Africa, including East African savannas. Grassland and open plains provide hunting space, while patches of cover help them approach prey.
Approaching carefully, then accelerating
Cheetahs stalk prey on open ground, then sprint over a short distance to chase small antelope. They often hunt in the early morning or late afternoon.
Three things to notice
- A cheetah’s claws stay mostly exposed and help its paws grip the ground.
- Its long tail helps it balance and steer when changing direction during a chase.
- Cheetahs often hunt in daylight, reducing encounters with lions and spotted hyenas that are more active after dark.
Prey to catch, larger hunters to avoid
Chasing impalas
Impalas are among the antelope cheetahs hunt. A cheetah relies on a short, fast chase to try to catch one.
Giving way to lions
Lions can take a cheetah’s catch. A cheetah usually gives way rather than fighting the larger predator for its meal.
Find the cheetah in Nature Reach
Open the free savanna map and look for the cheetah. Tap to hear its introduction and discover how its body helps it chase prey.
Explore the savanna
Meet another species
Lion
Panthera leo
A lion resting under a tree gives us one glimpse of its day. Later, as daylight fades, the pride may become much more active.
Meet this species
Zebra
Equus quagga
A zebra's coat is covered in stripes, but the pattern is its own. Look beyond the stripes to discover a life spent grazing and moving with other zebras.
Meet this species
Umbrella thorn acacia
Vachellia spp.
Its spreading crown makes a patch of shade on a sunny plain. For animals, this tree can offer somewhere to rest or something to eat.
Meet this species
Warthog
Phacochoerus africanus
A warthog may lower itself onto its front legs while feeding. A nearby burrow gives this busy forager somewhere to shelter.
Meet this species
Wildebeest
Connochaetes taurinus
A herd may pause to graze, then move on as food changes with the seasons. In the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, this journey links many parts of the landscape.
Meet this species
White-backed vulture
Gyps africanus
A vulture circling overhead is searching for food on the ground. Its meal comes from an animal that has already died.
Meet this species
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
Notice the impala's curved horns and light-footed movements. Only males have those horns.
Meet this species
Giraffe
Giraffa spp.
A giraffe stretches towards a leafy branch. Its neck brings the food within reach, and a long, flexible tongue helps gather the leaves.
Meet this species
Elephant
Loxodonta africana
An elephant can curl its trunk around a branch or lift water towards its mouth. The same flexible trunk is also its nose.
Meet this species
Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
A pair of eyes, small ears and nostrils may be all you can see above the water. Much of the hippo’s body is resting beneath the surface.
Meet this speciesSources
- Cheetah running adaptations, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
- Cheetah prey and encounters with lions, Animal Diversity Web
Reviewed by Nature Reach on 17/10/2026.