Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

This wildcat runs faster than the fleetest prey, with a top sprinting speed of 70 miles per hour! However, it can't keep that speed up for long, so it stalks its prey and gets as close as it can before making an all-out sprint. Unlike other wildcats, the Cheetah hunts almost entirely in daytime. It is a skilled hunter and successfully lands its prey about 40 percent of the time.

Look For : A large, swaybacked cat with a yellowish-tan coat heavily spotted with solid black dots, and a black "tear stain" below each eye. Long tail spotted, with black rings near end; tip white. Thin waist; long, thin limbs.

Length : Body 3'9"-5' long, tail 26-34" long; 77-143 lb.

Habitat : Open and partially open savannas.

Range : Africa, mainly south of the Sahara.