THE ANIMAL FILES

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

A chase involves turns, not just a speed record.

Cheetahs combine a slender body and long limbs with rapid acceleration. Field tracking shows that actual hunts do not simply reproduce maximum sprint records. Their social lives also differ between females raising cubs and males that may form coalitions.[1]

Follow the evidence ↓
Cheetah
Image: Charles J. Sharp · Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
A runner's outline
Long limbs and a deep chest mark the body.[1]
Speed with manoeuvres
Tracked hunts use varied speeds.[1]
Male coalitions
Coalitions can include unrelated males.[1]

A runner's outline

The small head, deep chest, slender trunk and long tail distinguish its outline. Solid dark spots cover much of the coat; cubs begin with a more pronounced mantle of long pale hair. Appearance changes through development.[1]

Speed with manoeuvres

GPS-collar studies recorded hunts below headline maximum speeds. The cat closes distance rapidly before following the prey’s turns. Acceleration and manoeuvring join outright speed in the pursuit.[1]

Male coalitions

Some males live together in coalitions, often brothers but sometimes unrelated animals. Others live alone. Females usually live alone or with offspring. A coalition therefore should not be confused with a lion pride or assumed to include every adult cheetah.[1]

A COMMON MIX-UP

Does every hunt run at the species' maximum measured speed?

No. Field-recorded hunts use lower and changing speeds as the pursuit develops.[1]

TRY A LITTLE REASONING

Why could a lower-speed turn matter after a fast approach?

Reveal the explanation

The prey changes direction. Staying close requires following its path, not simply continuing straight ahead.[1]

Sources & editorial notes

Adapted and translated from the cited Wikipedia revisions, with source-linked reasoning. Image credit and licence are listed separately above.

Adapted and translated from Wikipedia contributors; exact revisions are linked below. CC BY-SA 4.0

  1. Wikipedia contributors — Cheetah (cited revision)
  2. NCBI Taxonomy — Acinonyx jubatus

Last fact check:

One discovery leads to another

Domestic catQuiet feet, ready claws and light-catching eyes.Felis catus ↗CougarA plain-coated adult begins life as a spotted kitten.Puma concolor ↗Eurasian lynxA quiet cat leaves tracks before it offers a sighting.Lynx lynx ↗