Latin name - Acinonyx jubatus

An intriguing and lesser-known fact about cheetahs is that they have a unique social structure compared to other big cats. Male cheetahs often form small groups called "coalitions," usually consisting of brothers from the same litter. These coalitions can include up to five individuals, and they work together to defend territory and increase their hunting success. This cooperative behaviour is unusual among big cats, which are typically solitary, and it gives cheetahs an advantage in securing prey and protecting themselves from larger predators.

Cheetahs are known for their sprint when giving chase. Accelerating from 0 – 100 Km/h (62 mph) in a matter of 3 seconds and reaching top speeds of up to 120km/h (75mph) they are the fastest land animal in the world. Like a racing car, the cheetah is built for this sprint.

The Cheetah cannot fully retract their claws like most other cats. This feature is actually an adaptation that helps them achieve these incredible speeds. The semi-retractable claws function similarly to the cleats on a sprinter's shoes, providing extra grip and traction during high-speed chases.  A massive lung and heart capacity. Nostrils aligned in such a way that when their body is in the sprint position they allow for air to flow straight into the lungs. A slender aerodynamic body with a thick, long and heavy “rudderlike” tail acting as a counterweight enabling it to turn and outflank its prey. At top speed, their strides can be between 7 - 8m apart with a frequency of around 4 strides per second. No wonder high performance motor manufacturers like to compare cars to these cats. The cheetah is equipped with turbo-like features.

Cheetahs are a vulnerable and endangered species of large cat.