Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Cheetahs

VISIT NATURE'S FASTEST LAND ANIMAL AT BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY!

Get up close to the world's fastest land animal.

 

Built for speed, Cheetahs have long, slim, muscular legs, a small, rounded head set on a long neck, a flexible spine, a deep chest, special pads on their feet for traction and a long tail for balance. They are also the only cat that cannot retract their claws, an adaptation to help maintain traction. 


Cheetahs are included on both the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list of vulnerable species as well as on the US Endangered Species Act list of threatened species.


Location: Cheetah Run®

 

Cheetah Cubs!



Guests might “spot” these adorable brothers with their care team in the Animal Care Center. Stop by in the morning to find out when the cheetah cubs will be having their daily playtime!

  • NEW! Cheetah Encounter

    Product Placeholder

    Get closer than ever to the majestic cheetahs that call Busch Gardens Tampa Bay home as you learn first-hand about the training and care our world-class park team provides.

    • bullet Opportunity to interact with a cheetah
    • bullet 30-minute behind-the-scenes walking tour
    • bullet Children must be ages 10 and up and at least 54 inches tall to participate
    • bullet Tour is not wheelchair accessible
    The Cheetah Encounter includes talking with experts that care for these animals as well as exclusive access to behind-the-scenes views of the naturalistic habitats of the world's fastest land animal.
     
    Things to know before you go:
    • Children must be ages 10 and up and at least 54 inches tall to participate. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
    • Due to the nature of this tour, wheelchairs cannot be accommodated at this time. This tour requires significant walking in unpaved areas and on uneven terrain.

    Please check in for your tour at the Cheetah Run windows, directly across from the Caravan Crossing gift shop, at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.

    Pass Members save up to 10% on this experience. Please log in to see discounted pricing. 


    The Cheetah Insider Tour is subject to availability. Limited quantities are available each day.

    Park admission is not included and is required. Prices listed are per person and do not include tax. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged, as spaces are limited. Tours must be cancelled a minimum of 24 hours in advance or total payment is forfeited. Tours are non-refundable if guests miss their tour time. All tours are subject to availability. Animal interactions and program components may vary. All tour components and pricing are subject to change.

    Special Introductory Pricing
    Guest (ages 10+) $99.99 /ea.

Photos of Cheetahs

Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Cheetahs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Ask an Educator about Cheetahs

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Do cheetahs purr or roar?

While other big cats roar, cheetahs actually purr

What do cheetahs eat in the wild?

Cheetahs are carnivores and prey on smaller mammals in the wild.  They are a smaller cat compared to the lion and leopard and only have the strength to hunt gazelles, impalas, and the young of larger species.  Occasionally they will hunt warthogs, rabbits, and birds

Where are cheetahs native to?

Historically, cheetahs are native throughout all of the African and Asian continents.  Currently, they are only found in small pockets in parts of eastern, central, and southwestern Africa with a small isolated population in Iran.    

How fast can a cheetah run?

Cheetahs can reach top speeds of 60 to 70mph, but only for short stints of time for about 30 seconds to a minute.  

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