Cheetah

The Cheetah is the world's fastest land animal, reaching top speeds of up to 80mph (128km/h) in short bursts. The cheetah's body is adapted for speed - it is lightly built, with adults weighing up to 66kg (143lbs), and has long thin legs which can give it an 8m stride when running. Other adaptations include a long tail which helps the cheetah turn when running, claws that are unable to be fully retracted which increase grip, wide nostrils that enable air to flow easily and black tear-like markings under its eyes that may help reduce the glare of the sun.

The cheetah lives in the open plains in Africa and uses its speed to hunt small, nimble prey such as antelope and hares. Females typically live alone, although males, usually brothers from the same litter, will often stay and hunt together in small groups. Although successful hunters, the cheetah's light build means it is easily chased away from prey by other carnivores such as lions and hyenas. Originally found across Africa and into Asia, cheetah numbers have declined dramatically, with the only cheetahs outside Africa found in a small region of central Iran.