How do a cheetah’s long legs help it sprint?

The cheetah is highly adapted for sprinting, and its legs play a critical role in this ability. Specifically, a cheetah’s legs are proportionally longer than those of other big cats, which enhances its capacity for speed.12

These elongated limbs work in tandem with other physical adaptations to maximize performance during a hunt:

• Stride Length: While the legs provide the necessary reach, an elongated spine further increases the cheetah's stride length at high speeds.12
• Traction: To effectively utilize the power generated by their legs, cheetahs possess hard foot pads and nonretractable claws that provide extra traction, functioning similarly to the cleats worn by athletes.12
• Balance: A long tail acts as a counterbalance, allowing the cheetah to maintain stability and control while sprinting at high velocities.12

These combined traits enable the cheetah to reach speeds of up to 114 km (71 miles) per hour, making it the fastest land animal.12