What Makes A Cheetah So Fast? If you’ve ever had the good fortune to witness the wonder of a cheetah running at full speed, you know that it’s a stunning display of nature’s brilliance. Cheetahs can reach 60 miles per hour from zero in as little as three seconds. They are the fastest animals on the planet, bar none. But why do they move so quickly? To learn everything there is to know about these wonderful animals, keep reading.
CHEETAH’S PHYSICAL TRAITS: WHAT MAKES A CHEETAH SO FAST?
The fastest animals on earth are cheetahs. This lovely, slender, and graceful animal has an anatomy that maximizes agility and speed. One of these cats’ most distinguishing features is their light body weight, which aids in their ability to accelerate more quickly. Explore Tanzania wildlife Safaris . Additionally, they have long legs and small heads to maximize the effects of the law of aerodynamics. Additionally, their flexible spine enables high extension during the run. They are able to rotate their hips and scapula in a way that encourages speed by being able to flex as much as cheetahs do.
Only one foot is on the ground at a time when accelerating. As if that weren’t enough, unlike big cats, cheetahs’ semi-retractable claws never fully retract, leaving them constantly prepared to offer strong traction to the ground. Wide nostrils, a strong heart, and large lungs are additional adaptations that allow more oxygen to reach the muscles and facilitate sprinting.
Remember that the anatomy of cheetahs is designed for sprinting. These cats can run at high speeds for brief periods of time, but it can take them up to 30 minutes to recover completely from a hunt. Additionally, there are some disadvantages to being built for speed. Cheetahs, for instance, are not as powerful and hostile as other savannah predators like lions or leopards. Due to this, cheetahs prefer to flee rather than fight.
HOW DO CHEETAHS CAPTURE THEIR PREY?
The majority of the time, cheetahs are nocturnal creatures that hunt in the early morning or late afternoon. They are less nocturnally sighted than other big cats, which makes them less effective at nighttime hunting. The most prevalent prey include wildebeest, gazelle, and zebra.
The savannah’s swiftest cats each have a specific method of hunting. They take advantage of the region’s natural peaks to hide until it is safe to attack. Additionally, cheetahs enjoy hunting on high grass plains because it allows them to conceal their approach. A cheetah stalks its chosen prey after selecting it. Cheetahs need to be close to their prey in order to set up an ambush because they are swift but not resistant.
When the prey is close enough, the cat uses its incredible speed to chase after it, likely leaving the prey exhausted. If a cheetah successfully subdues the prey, it might begin eating it before it dies because scavengers (like hyenas) or larger cats may be lurking nearby.
THE BEST PLACES TO SEE CHEETAHS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA:
A cheetah in the wild is a rare sight to behold. However, finding them on a safari can be difficult because they are now less common than they once were. Visit one of the following national parks to improve your chances of seeing cheetahs:
Kenya’s Masai Mara: These cats thrive in its plains, which are the ideal habitat. The best time to visit if you want to see cheetahs stalking the numerous prey animals arriving at that time of year is during the annual wildebeest migration.
Serengeti, Tanzania— Cheetah populations have increased over time in this park, increasing the likelihood of seeing one during a safari here compared to other reserves. Due to the lack of savanna grass and the presence of vast open plains, the terrain of the park is excellent for cheetah sightings.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Due to its ideal terrain, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana and South Africa is one of the best places to see cheetahs while on a safari.
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve: With its vast plains, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana is an excellent location to see the elusive cats.
Kruger National Park: About 30% of the cheetahs in Africa live in Kruger National Park, one of the best places in the world to see all kinds of wildlife.
