The Cheetah: Evolutionary History and Paleoecology

Cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus, are remarkable cats and among the most unusual of felids, living or extinct. Their elongate limbs, slender body, and small head distinguish them easily from other similar sized felids, such as the leopard or jaguar. These features and others, such as not having fully retractile claws, are related to their ability to run at speeds that exceed 100 km/h. Their swiftness enhances their hunting success, but comes at a price. Their slender frame makes them an easy target for other, more robust carnivores, and consequently they often lose their kills to lions, spotted hyenas, or packs of wild dogs.