A cheetah is a large, spotted wild cat known for being the fastest land animal, able to sprint at extremely high speeds for short distances. It has a slender body, long legs, and a small head.
“Cheetah” comes from Hindi “cītā,” from Sanskrit “citraka,” meaning “speckled” or “spotted.” The name focuses on its coat pattern rather than its speed.
The word “cheetah” is really calling it “the spotted one,” not “the fast one.” Its body is so specialized for speed—light bones, huge lungs, and a flexible spine—that it’s like a living race car. It can go from 0 to highway speed in a few seconds, but only for a brief, heart-pounding chase.
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