Characteristics Of Cheetahs

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE FELIDAE FAMILY
Members of the Felidae family share many of the same or similar characteristics. For example, all have deep-chested, muscular bodies with rounded heads and shorter muzzles than any other carnivore. Their tongues are covered with sharp-pointed papillae with which they can easily rasp meat from the bones of their prey. They also have strong teeth and powerful jaw muscles, which are useful when tearing meat off bones, considering that all the species in this family are carnivorous. In addition, felids all have whiskers that can sense their surroundings, claws for hunting and climbing, and keen ears. Other important abilities that felids share that enhance their ability to hunt are their night vision and sharp claws. Furthermore, they have coats that are adapted to their particular environment.

Cheetahs are the fastest of all the felids with a top speed of approximately 65 mph. The fur of cheetahs is relatively light compared to the fur of other members of the family, such as the snow leopard, because the fur has adapted to the relatively hot temperatures in the African savannah. They can also be distinguished from other big cats by their smaller size, heads, and ears, spotted coats and distinctive "tear stripes" that stretch from the corners of the eyes to the sides of the noses. Unlike most of the other cats in its family, cheetahs can’t retract their claws. Their unretractable claws increase traction and aid the cheetahs in maintaining their speed. This adaptation comes in extremely useful when chasing its prey. These cats achieve their incredible speeds with the help of their light weight, claws, and amazing hind legs which flexible to the point that they can past the front legs. Cheetahs are also able to camouflage in the savanna because of their spotted coats. These coats help them hunt prey and hide from predators the cheetah lives in the African