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The Cheetah (Acinonyx
jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family (Felidae) that
hunts by speed rather than by stealth or pack tactics. It is the
fastest of all terrestrial animals and can reach speeds of over
110 km/h (70 mph) in short bursts. The cheetah's body is svelte
and muscular, though it seems slender and almost fragile in build.
Its chest is deep and its waist narrow. It has a small head and
short muzzle, high-placed eyes, large nostrils, and small round
ears. The fur of the cheetah is fauve yellow with round black
spots and black tear lines on the sides of the muzzle. The adult
animal weighs from 40 to 65 kg (90 to 140 lb). Its total body
length is from 112 to 135 cm (45 in to 55 in), while the tail
can measure up to 84 cm (33 in).
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The genus name,
Acinonyx, means "no-move-claw" in Greek, while the species
name, jubatus, means "maned" in Latin, a reference to
the mane found in cheetah cubs. It is the only cat that cannot
completely retract its claws. Even when retracted, the claws remain
visible and are used for grip during the cheetah's acceleration
and maneuvering. The English word "cheetah" comes from
Hindi chiitaa, which is perhaps derived from Sanskrit chitraka,
meaning "the spotted one". Other major European languages
use variants of the medieval Latin gattus pardus, meaning "cat-leopard":
French guépard; Italian ghepardo; Spanish and Portuguese
guepardo (also used chita); and German Gepard.
Images 1 Through 5 Are From The US Fish & Wildlife Service
Images 5 Through 20 Are Courtesy Of Schmode.net
Images 21 Through 024 Are Courtesy Of Scotch Macaskill
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