cheetah

Famous as the “fastest thing on four legs” the cheetah is very different from all the other cats. Its greyhound-like body has evolved for speed. A lightweight body on long legs and an exceptionally flexible spine combine to substantially increase their stride lengths. It has the longest limbs and lumbar portion of the spine of any felid. The long tail acts as a counterbalance when cornering.A cheetah’s feet are adapted to enable greater purchase on the ground while running. They have tough foot pads which are ridged, like tyre treads and the exposed claws act as running spikes. Interdigital webs are greatly reduced so the toes can be spread widely for improved traction.
Unlike those of other cats, a cheetah’s claws are always exposed. Cats evolved retractable claws because they provide an evolutionary advantage by protecting their sharpness. Cheetahs can retract their claws, but they lack the cutaneous lobes, which act as claw sheaths. For this reason a cheetah’s claws are blunt. For the first 15 weeks of life young cheetahs can fully sheath their claws like any other cat. Afterwards they remain exposed.