Cheetahs boast a number of unique adaptations which have allowed them to perfect their unique hunting style. These adaptations include:

• Black tear marks which run from the corner of the eyes down the sides of the nose to its mouth which are believed to keep sunlight out of the eyes – an adaptation which has allowed the cheetah to hunt during the middle of the day. In contrast, lion and leopard both exhibit white patches beneath the eyes which help to accentuate what little light is available to them when hunting at night.
• Cheetahs are very slim and light, weighing between 35 and 65kg’s. This low body weight, coupled with a flexible spine which acts like a spring when the cheetah is in top gear, allows for speeds in excess of 100km/h to be reached in a matter of seconds.
• The cheetah’s paws have semi-retractable claws which offer extra grip in its high-speed pursuits – similar to the role of running spikes used by sprinters. The ligament structure of the cheetah’s claws is the same as those of other cats; it simply lacks the sheath of skin and fur present in other species, and therefore the claws are always visible, with the exception of the dewclaw.
• Cheetahs have broad heads and large nostrils that allow for increased oxygen intake, and an enlarged heart and lungs that work together to circulate oxygen efficiently. During a typical chase, its respiratory rate increases from 60 to 150 breaths per minute.
• The cheetah also uses its long slender tail as a rudder-like means of steering to allow it to make sharp turns, necessary to outflank prey animals that often make such turns to escape.

Despite their speed and hunting prowess, cheetahs are largely outranked by other large predators in most of their range. They usually avoid fighting and will surrender a kill immediately to even a single hyena, rather than risk injury. Because cheetahs are generally loners and rely so heavily on their speed to obtain their meals, any injury that slows them down could essentially be life threatening.