Physics Show-and-Tell: Physics behind Cheetahs Running Wu Fan (24) S1-13

General Information Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)... extremely speedy big cats relation: leopards, panthers, etc. hunting behaviour: chases prey in day, no stalking at night habitats: Serengeti, Masai Mara, savannahs, scrublands Statistics: Cheetahs: 50% successes Leopards: 40% successes Lions: 30% successes Trivia: Cheetah: Sanskrit word citrakāya ḥ for “variegated”. Acinonyx: Greek for "no-move-claw“. Lore of the Cheetahs: High killing rate=Efficiency

Speed & Stride Lore of the Cheetahs: Speed=Survival Fastest sprinter of the animal kingdom: Chase down their main prey: gazelles Highest record: 100m in 3.13 sec Acceleration: 0-70 mph in 3 sec 0-40 mph in 3 strides Big stride: 25 feet 3 strides per sec One feet touches ground Airbound 75% of the time when running Reduce contact with the ground  less friction  run faster Changing direction: Split second decision Avoid obstacles

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So... What makes them run so fast? Trivia: Cheetahs have the smallest head among the cats! slender body, small head, flattened rib cage and thin legs  minimize air resistance loose head and shoulder joints  extended reach extra flexible spine  adds 30 inches to total stride  stores EPE  back legs extend further

So... What makes them run so fast? long, muscular legs (fast twitching fibres)  move quickly  broad swing range  propel body forward Glycogen  lactic acid Trivia: They have the longest, thinnest legs among the cat family! long tail  act as rudder and counterweight  stability and control  prevents high-speed rollovers non-retractable claws & rigid foot pads  grip the ground  better traction

So... What makes them run so fast? small jaws  extra large nasal passages  fast and deep intake of oxygen huge lungs & powerful heart  efficient respiration  burn more energy through respiration for running. light bones  lightweight (125 pounds)  less weight to carry & less forces acting on it

Other contributing factors to success Binocular vision & black facial markings  focus clearly on moving prey Hunting in the day  minimised competition

Disadvantages The cheetah’s incredible speed comes with a price... Inability to defend oneself: Bodies built for speed, not power Weak jaws and teeth Cheetah-125 pounds VS lion-400 pounds o.O||* Risk of death: A lot of energy used to run fast Energy burns out quickly Can only run continuously for about 300 yards Heart rate and body temperature (63°C) increases extremely quickly Severe brain damage might occur Must rest for about 20 minutes

References cheetah-hunting.html cheetah-spine-tail.html layer_embedded ammals/cheetah-speed1.htm cheetah-worlds-fastest-animal/UPI / Google Images Personal knowledge