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How does a cheetah’s spine help it run quickly?
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cheetah
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) running in Kenya.
A cheetah’s spine is specifically adapted to enhance its sprinting performance by increasing its stride length at high speeds. This elongated structure allows the cheetah to cover more ground with each movement, which is a critical component of its ability to reach speeds of up to 114 km (71 miles) per hour.12