Cheetahs are unique among the cats in so many ways, both in their anatomy and behavior.
Cheetahs hunt during the day, which is not common it cats. Daytime hunting requires excellent eyesight and cheetahs have large, high set eyes that are amazingly acute. Our cheetahs here at the zoo often spot the smallest amount of movement far across the zoo way before we see it.
Dark stripes, resembling tear marks, run from the eye down to the muzzle. Many believe that the purpose of these stripes is to help them see better, similar to the black marks ball players will put under their eyes to reduce glare. This unique marking is the sure-fire way to tell a cheetah from another spotted cat like a leopard or jaguar.
