Cheetah 獵豹 (1)

What runs so fast it races by in a flash? What looks like it cries but has no tears in its eyes? What is covered in spots and lives where it’s hot? It’s a cheetah!

Cheetahs are large cats that look as cute and cuddly as a house cat. But you wouldn’t want to snuggle up to a cheetah! Cheetahs are powerful hunters with sharp claws and teeth.

Cheetahs and leopards look alike because they both have spots. But they are different in many ways. Cheetahs have “tear marks”. These are black stripes that run from their eyes to their mouths. Leopards don’t have stripes on their faces.

Cheetahs are small and narrow. Their tails are long and thin. While leopards are big and wide with thick and short tails.

In a race between a lion, a greyhound dog, and a cheetah, which animal would win? The cheetah, hands down! The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth. It can reach a running speed of 60 miles an hour in just three seconds. That’s as fast as a sports car!

What makes a cheetah so fast? Its body is built for speed. Excellent eyesight makes spotting prey quick and easy.? Its deep chest makes breathing easier while running. Large nostrils let it breathe easily after running. A small head makes the cheetah lighter. A thin, lean body helps it move quickly. A flexible spine helps it change direction quickly. Long legs let it run fast. A long tail balances the cheetah when it makes sudden, sharp turns. Its claws don’t completely pull back into its paws like other cats. The claws grip the ground when running, like cleats on a shoe.