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Why does a cheetah’s body overheat during a long chase?
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cheetah
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) running in Kenya.
During a high-speed chase, a cheetah’s body generates heat much faster than it can be dissipated through its natural cooling mechanisms, which include panting and sweating through its paws.12
Because this physiological activity creates heat at such a rapid rate, the cheetah is unable to maintain its top speed for long periods. Consequently, these intense, high-speed pursuits are typically limited to short distances of less than 200 to 300 meters (660 to 980 feet).12