Built For Speed

Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt has broken all sorts of records when it comes to sprinting. He’s rightfully earned the title of being the world’s fastest man. But how does he compare to the fastest land animal of the world, the cheetah? We all know the cheetah is the fastest animal but have you ever wondered what makes it so? Let’s find out.

Given below is a comparison between Usain Bolt and the Cheetah :

The differences are stark! The cheetah outperforms humans by quite a margin.

It’s evident that a cheetah’s athleticism would put many a human Olympian to shame. As we further analyze the cheetah’s body structure and adaptations, you will realize that almost every aspect of a cheetah is built for speed.

Head :
The relatively small size of the cheetah is one of its distinct characteristics. Its small and flat head is aerodynamic which minimizes resistance to air as it runs. Distinctive black tear stripes run from the eyes to the mouth. These are believed to protect the eyes from the sun’s glare.

Rapid acceleration requires a cheetah to have high oxygen intake adaptations including enlarged nostrils and extensive, air-filled sinuses.

Eyes :
Cheetahs have a small, thin-boned skull with a relatively flat face and reduced muzzle size — these adaptations allow their large eyes to be positioned for maximum binocular vision. A nictitating membrane further shields and protects the eyes during fast sprints.

Tail :
One look at a cheetah and you will notice that its tail is almost as long as the rest of its body. During fast sprints, a cheetah's paws have minimal contact with the ground. At such times, a cheetah's tail stretches out and acts as a counterbalance during sharp turns. The flattened tip of the tail also acts like a rudder to guide direction.

Paws :
Cheetahs have long slender legs which end at paws that are narrower than other big cats. They have claws that are blunt and semi-retractable. They function as running spikes during those high speed sprints.

Internal Anatomy :
An enlarged heart, lungs and arteries are adaptations that aid the cheetah in efficient blood and oxygen supply. A cheetah's body temperature is approximately 38.3°C (101°F) but increases to 40°C (105°F) after sprinting. This sudden temperature increase inhibits cheetahs from long duration chases. It can only attain high speeds in short bursts due to the tremendous drain on its energy resources. It could take up to 30 minutes for a cheetah to recover from a chase.

The spectacle of a cheetah running at full speed is art; the anatomy and physique facilitating its speed and agility is genetic engineering at its best.