Ready, Set, Go! Te cheetah watches its prey. It waits for the best time to strike. Ten it leaps forward and runs fast! Gazelles can run as fast as 80 kph


(50 mph). Cheetahs can run faster, for a short time. Tey are the fastest, land animal in the world. A cheetah’s body is built for speed. Its body is lean, and even its bones have adaptations to help it run fast across the grasslands.


Fast on Its Feet A cheetah has a long, flexible spine. It acts like a spring. When a cheetah runs, its spine arches up, then it stretches out. At the same time, the cheetah’s legs fold under its body. A cheetah’s hip bones can pivot,


or turn around. So when the cheetah runs, its legs can stretch far in front and in back. In the middle of a stride, all four of the cheetah’s feet are off the ground. Tis cat looks like it’s flying! To run so fast takes a lot of oxygen.


A cheetah’s lungs are larger than those of other big cats. Tat way, it can take in plenty of air. A cheetah can run at top speed for


about 30 seconds. It must catch its prey within that time. If it doesn’t, it must find other prey, or go hungry.


14 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


All the Right Moves Many animals that cheetahs hunt make a dash to escape. Tey dodge and leap from side-to-side. Tey twist and turn to stay ahead of the cheetah. To keep up, the cheetah must copy


these moves. Adaptations in the cheetah’s feet help. A cheetah’s claws are blunt. Most cats have claws that retract. Tey disappear inside layers of skin on the feet. Tis keeps the claws sharp. A cheetah’s claws don’t retract all


the way, though. During a chase, these claws dig into the ground. Te cheetah’s feet have adaptations,


too. Tey’re hard. Tey have tough ridges that prevent skidding. When a cheetah runs, its toes grip the ground.


In the Right Direction A cheetah’s tail helps it during the chase as well. Other big cats have round, fluffy tails. Not the cheetah. Its tail is flat.


It’s like a boat’s rudder. It helps the cheetah keep its balance when it runs. When the cheetah turns, its tail


moves in the direction of the turn. Tis balances the body to keep it on course. A cheetah’s tail and feet help the cat change direction with ease.


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