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In Touch With Nature – Cheetah, world’s fastest land mammal #cheetah #Intouchwithnature #southernAfricanwildlife

Posted: April 23, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized |65 Comments
Picture caption: In Touch with Nature 2025 banner featuring a black-maned lion

The cheetah is the world’s fastest land mammal. At their top speed to 70 mph, they advance 23 feet (7 meters) in a single stride and complete 4 strides every second. This top speed can only be maintained for approximately 30 seconds.

Fourteen reasons why cheetahs are so fast

  1. Aerodynamic body shape – a cheetah’s body is slender and designed for swift, unyielding motion. Watching a cheetah run is like watching a dancer glide across a stage.
  2. Long, flexible spine – as a cheetah speeds up, its spine stretches and contracts giving each leg an incredibly long reach.
  3. Muscle power – cheetahs are sprinters. Their muscles are packed with fast-twitch fibres to allow for short burst of explosive speed.
  4. Large nasal passages – the cheetah has large nasal passages which provide for plenty of oxygen during sprints.
  5. Tail for balance – the cheetah’s long and muscular tail acts like a rudder, allowing it to steer and balance at high speeds.
  6. Powerful leg muscles – the cheetah’s powerful leg muscles catapult the animal forward to achieve high speed dashes.
  7. Clawed feet – cheetah’s have semi-retractable claws that work like cleats, digging into the earth for a better grip.
  8. Non-slip pads – cheetahs have unique paw pads that are rough and textured to provide maximum grip, so they don’t slip.
  9. Fast acceleration – a cheetah can accelerate from zero to sixty in three seconds.
  10. Excellent vision – cheetah’s have extraordinary vision which allows them to plan their attack with precision and track movements even at high speed.
  11. Lightweight build – the cheetah’s lean build allows for quicker acceleration and sustained speed.
  12. Efficient energy use – cheetahs take power naps between sprints allowing them to recharge for the next burst of speed.
  13. Powerful heart and lungs – The heart and lungs of a cheetah are larger and more efficient than those of other cats, ensuring a constant supply of oxygen to their muscles.
  14. Swift reflexes – the cheetah’s swift reflexes allow for split-second decisions and adjustments during a chase.
Picture caption: Male cheetah walking on top of a rock in the morning sunshine
Picture caption: Male cheetah sitting on a rock at Madikwe Game Reserve
Picture caption: Male cheetah standing on a rock in the morning sunshine
Picture caption: Male cheetah on the move, walking down off the rock.

My YouTube video of this cheetah stretching:

My YouTube video of a juvenile cheetah walking through the bush:

The following syllabic poem is from my book, Lion Scream, Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife:

Flat Cat

Barely discernible
Dark spots on tawny fur
She lies nonchalantly, blending into veld
Of vibrant golden hues
Dappled with shadows
***
Raising a sluggish head
She appears awake
Gives an impression of careful surveillance
But it’s an illusion
Her eyes tightly closed
***
Yawning, sharp teeth exposed
Then over she rolls
Head dropping down, she settles back into sleep
Almost disappearing
Flat cat in the grass

My YouTube reading of Flat Cat:

About Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author photograph 2025

Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.

Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).

Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.

Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5

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Like this post? Are you a fan of this blog series? Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.

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This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.

Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ

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65 Comments on “In Touch With Nature – Cheetah, world’s fastest land mammal #cheetah #Intouchwithnature #southernAfricanwildlife”

  1. Ephemeral Encounters's avatar Ephemeral Encounters says:
    April 23, 2025 at 2:22 am

    Robbie thank you for this informative post, your lovely poem and the videos.
    Cheetah’s are stunning to look at .🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Dave Astor's avatar Dave Astor says:
    April 23, 2025 at 5:28 am

    Fascinating cheetah facts and a great overall presentation, Robbie! Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne!

    Like

    Reply
  3. coldhandboyack's avatar coldhandboyack says:
    April 23, 2025 at 5:58 am

    Wonderful photographs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. trentpmcd's avatar trentpmcd says:
    April 23, 2025 at 6:14 am

    Such magnificent animals. I liked the facts that went so well with your wonderful photos 🙂 And I enjoyed the poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Darlene's avatar Darlene says:
    April 23, 2025 at 6:21 am

    Fascinating facts and photos. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Kymber @booomcha's avatar Kymber @booomcha says:
    April 23, 2025 at 6:51 am

    I love big cats, especially cheetahs. And now I’ve learned so much about them. Thank you for such a lovely post. The pics are incredible, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. T. W. Dittmer's avatar T. W. Dittmer says:
    April 23, 2025 at 7:16 am

    Thank you for sharing Robbie’s love of nature.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Chris Hall's avatar Chris Hall says:
    April 23, 2025 at 7:29 am

    Oh I am so impressed! Loved everything in this post. Well done, Robbie and Kaye.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. frenchc1955's avatar frenchc1955 says:
    April 23, 2025 at 9:09 am

    Hi Robbie, thank you so much for this post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:
    April 23, 2025 at 10:17 am

    Fun and interesting information about these beautiful animals! Lovely poem and videos, too. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Liz Gauffreau's avatar Liz Gauffreau says:
    April 23, 2025 at 11:34 am

    Thank you for the cheetah lesson. I knew nothing about them. In your photos, they look like a very handsome animal.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. tidalscribe.com's avatar tidalscribe.com says:
    April 23, 2025 at 12:58 pm

    We had a radio series in which each week experts would dissect an animal; animals that had died of natural causes in zoos or rescue centres, so the team had quick and easy access. Actually taking an animal apart revealed how their various body parts and organs had evolved for their unique abilities. The presenters would exclaim with delight as they measured spines or intestines or weighed hearts. One week it was a leopard. It is interesting how vertebrates share the same basics, but the proportions and arrangements are so different!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar Annette Rochelle Aben says:
    April 23, 2025 at 2:39 pm

    I am hanging on every word. Thank you, Robbie, I am such a fan of the big cats!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor says:
    April 23, 2025 at 4:06 pm

    Really interesting material, some of which I didn’t know. I know I read somewhere that sprinter Ussain Bolt once ran 27.8 mph—not even in the cheetah’s zip code.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Violet Lentz's avatar Violet Lentz says:
    April 23, 2025 at 6:53 pm

    Beautiful in every way. I especially loved your reading.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:
    April 23, 2025 at 7:10 pm

    Those long legs look powerful. It makes sense they would have strong lungs as well. Thanks for the photos and information! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. thomasstigwikman's avatar thomasstigwikman says:
    April 23, 2025 at 7:14 pm

    It was very interesting information about Cheetahs, amazing photos and videos, and I love that poem your read from LionScream, which is a wonderful book, a true masterpiece.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. jilldennison's avatar jilldennison says:
    April 24, 2025 at 1:04 am

    Just the thing to bring a smile at the end of a long day! Thank you!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. V.M.Sang's avatar V.M.Sang says:
    April 24, 2025 at 4:54 am

    Cheetahs are beautiful and graceful. Your video of the one stretching shows the long back to perfection.

    Lovely descriptive poem, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Dave Williams's avatar Dave Williams says:
    April 24, 2025 at 6:47 am

    Robbie is a force: education, photos, videos, and poetry! Thanks for sharing your wonder about animals, with the fascinating cheetah this time. And you’ve got a groovy new author photo, with your cheetah painting just over your shoulder. Cool! 🌞

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.'s avatar Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. says:
    April 25, 2025 at 12:50 am

    Another stunning post Robbie and images and words in harmony the next best thing to seeing these beautiful creatures in the wild… thanks Kaye Lynne for hosting…xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – Denise Finn, Balroop Singh, Janet Morrison, Robbie Cheadle, Cindy Knoke, C.S. Boyack, Jan Sikes, Liz Gauffreau, Jacqui Murray, Joy York, D.Wallace Peach Nicholas Rossis, Dorothy Grover Read | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine says:
    April 26, 2025 at 3:31 am

    […] In Touch With Nature – Cheetah, world’s fastest land mammal #cheetah #Intouchwithnature … […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
    April 26, 2025 at 5:53 pm

    Such a beautiful, graceful, and swift animal. As always, your poetry is a pleasure to read. I love the photo of you with your cheetah painting. Cool hat!

    Like

    Reply
  24. olganm's avatar olganm says:
    April 27, 2025 at 5:34 am

    Thanks, Robbie, for all the information and for the poem. It’s a truly fascinating animal.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  25. Carla's avatar Carla says:
    April 27, 2025 at 5:30 pm

    Cheetah’s are amazing and beautiful animals. Thanks for the information about them, it makes you look at them differently. I love the poem as well. She would blend right into the grass, wouldn’t she. I always enjoy your images, Robbie. They are amazing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  26. D. Wallace Peach's avatar D. Wallace Peach says:
    April 28, 2025 at 9:24 am

    I love your wildlife posts, Robbie. Cheetahs are such beautiful and fascinating creatures. I appreciated the information and just loved the photos and videos clips. How wonderful that you have the opportunity to see them in the wild. Thanks for hosting Kaye Lynne.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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