These two videos from National Geographic’s award-winning multimedia coverage of cheetahs shows the science of the big cat’s extraordinary performance.
The films combine the resources of National Geographic and the Cincinnati Zoo.
Cheetahs are adapted for brief intense bursts of speed. They can reach 70 kph within 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 100 kph, albeit only for short periods.
The Smithsonian Institute has more information on these amazing animals here.