Cheetahs have slender, long-legged bodies with blunt, semi-retractable claws. Their heads are small with high-set eyes. A black tear mark runs from the inner corner of each eye down to the mouth. A cheetah’s teeth are small when compared with other big cats, which accommodates their larger nasal passages that enable quick air intake.
Adults have yellow or tan short, coarse fur with solid black round or oval spots measuring 0.75 to 1.5 inches (1.9 to 3.8 centimeters) in diameter. The spots cover nearly the entire body; only the white throat and belly are unmarked. The tail ends with four to six black rings and a bushy white or black tuft.
Cheetahs’ spots may serve as camouflage for both hunting and hiding. Their spots may offset the shadows in the gray-hued grasses they often inhabit, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings. Camouflage is essential not only for stalking prey, but also for protecting cheetah cubs from predators. A cheetah cub’s smoky gray mantle may serve as added camouflage among dead grasses. Much like a human fingerprint, a cheetah’s spots and the ring pattern of its tail are unique, enabling researchers in the field to identify individuals.
Cheetahs are aerodynamically built for speed and are the fastest land mammal. At top speed, they advance 23 feet (7 meters) in a single stride and complete four strides per second. That top speed averages between 60 and 70 miles per hour (96 and 112 kilometer per hour) and can be maintained for only about 300 yards (274 meters). Cheetahs can accelerate from zero to 45 miles per hour (zero to 72 kilometers per hour) in just 2.5 seconds. No other land mammal surpasses their short sprints.
Special paw pads and semi-retractable claws provide great traction. Large nostrils and lungs provide quick air intake that allows cheetahs to breathe more easily while running and suffocating their prey. A large liver, heart and adrenal gland facilitate a rapid physical response. A greyhound-like body is streamlined over light bones. Cheetahs have small collarbones and vertical shoulder blades, which are not attached to the collarbone, as well as hips that swivel on a flexible spine. These structural adaptations help lengthen their stride and provide superior acceleration. The cheetah’s tail acts as a rudder for quick turning, counteracting its body weight.
Cheetahs’ eyes have elongated retinal foveas (the small, rodless areas of the retina), giving them a sharp, wide-angle view of their surroundings. Their small, flat-faced heads allow their eyes to be positioned for maximum binocular vision. The dark tear marks beneath each eye may aid in hunting by minimizing the sun’s glare. They may also provide an enhanced ability to intimidate. A cheetah’s spine works as a spring for its powerful back legs, extending the cheetah’s reach with each step, but the movement is physiologically taxing.
Cheetahs pay a price for their speed. Their large nasal passages leave little room for the long roots required to anchor big teeth. Without large teeth, cheetahs’ fighting abilities are limited. Larger, stronger cats like lions easily overwhelm them, so cheetahs tend to opt for flight versus fight. Because of their short teeth, cheetahs must kill prey by suffocation.
