Which Is the Fastest Land Animal?

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) holds the record for the fastest land speed, clocking up to 112 km/h (70 mph) in sprints covering distances of up to 500 metres. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3 seconds — faster than most sports cars. This extraordinary speed comes from its lightweight build, long legs, flexible spine, semi-retractable claws for grip, and enlarged nasal passages and lungs for rapid oxygen intake. However, cheetahs can only maintain top speed for 20-30 seconds before overheating and must rest after a chase. They catch prey in only about 40-50% of hunts.