ENVIRONMENT
The need for speed For some big cats, speed is the name of the game Have you ever looked at a picture of the African savannah, and seen lions walking among a group of impalas and wondered why the impalas are just grazing away, instead of running for their lives? This is because the impalas know that a single lion in the open isn’t fast enough and they can easily outrun them. The lions know this too, and won’t waste their energy trying. For other big cats though, speed is everything. Leopards use
speed for a quick-fire burst, usually after they have expertly stalked their prey and got within striking distance. Similarly, tigers use a swift leap or lunge to grab their prey once it’s within reach. The element of surprise is key! Cheetahs are the real athletes of the big cats, though. They can sprint for long distances and accelerate quickly, with some records clocking up a sustained distance of around four kilometres
Back muscles
Powerful muscles support the flexible spine, allowing for maximum power and giant strides.
and an acceleration of 0 to 75 kilometres per hour in two seconds. However, they can only stay at their top speed for around 400 to 800 metres, so they must plan their attack carefully. They will approach downwind from the prey so that their scent doesn’t give them away, and then launch an ambush at lightning speed. If they time this well, they will successfully outpace their prey and go in for the kill.
Inside the beast This creature is built for speed. Here’s what makes the cheetah go like lightning
Hyper-flexible spine
A cheetah’s spine curves so much that it allows the cat’s back feet to overtake the front paws, maximising stride length.
Large nostrils
A bigger nostril area means the cheetah can breathe faster, taking in more oxygen to supply the hard-working muscles.
Keen eyes
Forward-facing eyes with an in-built image stabilisation system keep the cheetah’s prey in sharp focus as it runs.
Small head
It looks out of proportion with its body, but a small head streamlines the cheetah and reduces wind resistance at speed.
Large heart
A bigger heart ensures oxygenrich blood can be pumped around the body quickly, to power the muscles during sprints.
The cheetah’s incredibly flexible skeleton allows a huge range of movement, giving it the edge over its prey
A cheetah’s dewclaws, or ‘thumb’ claws, are used to trip up its prey
Claws and paws
Sturdy pads and non-retracted claws both provide grip and traction when the cheetah begins to pick up speed.
016 | How It Works
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