Biology
The Biomechanics of High-Speed Terrestrial Locomotion in Cheetahs
Quick fact
A cheetah can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just three seconds, using a flexible spine that acts like a spring to store and release elastic energy with each stride—an adaptation that gives it the fastest land-animal acceleration.
Why this is interesting
You've seen the videos: cheetahs blur across the savanna, turning on a dime at 100 km/h. But what mechanical secrets allow a 50-kg cat to out-accelerate a sports car?