Book 11, Question 129
Why Is a Cheetah the Land Sprint King?
A cheetah is the land sprint king because its body is built for speed! It can run up to about 100 kilometers an hour. It can only keep that speed up for short bursts before it needs a rest.
More fun facts
- The cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal.
- Wild cheetahs can reach nearly 113 kilometers (70 miles) per hour, but only for about 30 seconds.
- Cheetahs can go from 0 to 72 kilometers (45 miles) per hour in just 2.5 seconds.
- Before the final sprint, a cheetah creeps closer to its prey.
- Cheetahs are built for speed with an aerodynamic body.
Sources: National Geographic, Smithsonian, Smithsonian
Questions kids ask
Can a cheetah run fast for a long time?
No. It can only keep up top speed for about 30 seconds.