Animals / anatomy-of-a-cheetah-for-speed
Facts about Anatomy of a Cheetah for Speed
- 05
Light, long limb bones and a reduced body weight help minimize inertia, allowing cheetahs to accelerate to top speed within just a few strides.
- 04
Cheetahs possess a deep-keeled chest housing an exceptionally large heart, enabling rapid circulation of oxygenated blood to muscles during sprints.
- 03
Enlarged nostrils and lungs allow cheetahs to dramatically increase oxygen intake during and after high-speed chases.
- 02
The cheetah's semi-retractable claws function like cleats, providing exceptional grip and traction during high-speed pursuits.
- 01
A cheetah's flexible spine acts like a coiled spring, allowing its stride length to exceed its body length during full-speed galloping.