Cheetah
Cheetah
Mammal
The cheetah is the fastest runner on land, sprinting from a standstill to 100 km/h in just a few seconds on specially gripping claws.
💡 Fun Facts
- The fastest land animal on Earth.
- Can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.
- Their claws do not retract completely, giving them extra grip like running spikes.
Name Story
Acinonyx jubatus
means “The maned one with the claw that won't move”
What does its name mean?
- Acinonyx — unmoving clawGreek akinetos 'unmoving' + onyx 'claw'
- jubatus — manedLatin juba 'mane'
Unlike other big cats, a cheetah can't fully pull its claws in — they stay out like a dog's, gripping the ground as it sprints — and 'Acinonyx' names exactly that 'claw that won't move'.