Which internal organs help a cheetah handle the demands of sprinting?

To support the intense physiological demands of sprinting, cheetahs possess several enlarged internal organs. These include the liver, heart, lungs, bronchi, nasal passages, and adrenal glands.12

These anatomical features allow for the high level of physiological activity required during a hunt, such as rapid breathing—which can reach 60 to 150 breaths per minute—and the ability to sustain high speeds. However, because this intense activity generates heat faster than the cheetah can dissipate it through panting or sweating through its paws, these sprints are typically limited to short distances of less than 200 to 300 meters.12