Cheetah Pictures

After all, the cheetah is the fastest land mammal on the planet, reaching top speeds of 90 - 112 kph (60 - 70 mph).

Heck, if I saw a cheetah sprinting at full tilt, I'd savor the moment and not even worry about lifting my camera! But their blinding speed is not the main reason it's hard to capture exceptional pictures of these elegant cats.

Cheetah Portrait, Mashatu Game Reserve

Click on any picture to enlarge
Cheetah on the hunt, Mashatu Game Reserve	Cheetah mother and cubs, Mashatu Game Reserve	Cheetah in green grass, Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Cheetah on tree stump, Mashatu GR	Cheetah close-up of fur and spots	King Cheetah standing, side-on view
Cheetah pair on Impala kill	Cheetah pair grooming each other	Cheetah on the prowl, close-up
Cheetah in rocky terrain, Mashatu Game Reserve Cheetah feeding on impala, Mashatu GR Cheetah licking and grooming itself King Cheetah close-up, Endangered Species Centre Cheetah looking back over its shoulder Cheetah standing, three-quarter view Cheetah close-up head and shoulders Cheetah sitting on its haunches watches for prey
Inquisitive cheetah, Endangered Species Centre	Cheetah sitting in open terrain, Mashatu Game Reserve	Cheetah in green vegetation, Mashatu GR
Cheetah walking in green grass, Sabi Sand	Cheetah sensing danger, Mashatu Game Reserve	Cheetah in black and white, Mashatu Game Reserve

Cheetah Now Perilously Endangered
The harsh reality is that cheetah, once widespread through Africa, Asia, and India, are now perilously endangered, so you don't get to see them very often.

In South Africa's huge Kruger National Park, there are about 10,000 elephant and 25,000 buffalo. Lions? About 2,000. Leopards? A thousand. But there are only 200 cheetah.

Unlike most other cats, cheetah do hunt by day, which improves chances of spotting them when on safari. The terrain is also important and your photo opportunities will be better in flat, open savanna than in hilly or forested areas.

The plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara provide good hunting grounds for cheetah, while the shorter grass makes it easier for tourists to find and view these graceful, streamlined predators.

If you're lucky enough to go on safari in Tanzania or Kenya, look out for that classic shot - a cheetah on its haunches on a termite mound, scanning the open plains for potential prey.

See also Cheetah Photos Bonus page for older images of cheetah and, for more about these endangered cats, see Cheetah Information and Cheetah Cubs Practice Hunting Skills.

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