Why are a cheetah and a dog being raised together?
It may seem strange, but cheetahs and dogs can form a close bond. It’s beneficial because the dog helps the cheetah feel more calm and comfortable around people. Winspear the cheetah and Amani the dog have been together since they were tiny and are like brothers. They will be friends the rest of their lives.
Don’t mind my furry friend. We’re growing up together, so we’re bonded to each other and see each other as family. Amani’s parents are both large dogs, and he can hold his own with me. We grow at about the same rate, and when we’re fully grown, we’ll each weigh about 90 pounds.Tweet this Fact
My friend Amani is a Labrador Retriever, a strong, calm and loyal breed. When we’re outside the zoo making visits to hospitals and schools, I take my cues from him. If Amani is calm and mellow, I will be too.Tweet this Fact
Our slender, long-legged, muscled body is built for speed. We are the fastest land mammal on Earth and able to reach speeds of over 62 miles per hour. We’re sprinters, not marathoners. We can run for short sprints of about 20 seconds, reaching approximately 300 yards.Tweet this Fact
Our non-retractable claws and tough pads on our feet closely resemble that of a dog. These features offer better traction to get to those high speeds. Plus, our long, heavy tail acts as a rudder for making those sharp turns while in pursuit.Tweet this Fact
Unlike other big cats, we cannot roar. However, we can purr on both inhale and exhale, just like domestic cats!Tweet this Fact
We are tan in color with black spots all over our bodies. We can also be distinguished from other big cats by our smaller size, spotted coats, and our small heads and ears. One way to always recognize us is by the long, black lines that run from the inside of each eye to our mouth. These are usually called “tear lines” and they help protect our eyes from the harsh sun and help us see long distances.Tweet this Fact