The
cheetah (
Acinonyx jubatus) is a
big cat in the subfamily
Felinae that inhabits most of
Africa and parts of
Iran. It is the only
extant member of the genus
Acinonyx. The cheetah can run as fast as ,
faster than any other land animal. It covers distances up to in short bursts, and can accelerate from in three seconds. The cheetah's closest extant relatives are the
puma and
jaguarundi of the Americas. Cheetahs are notable for adaptations in the paws as they are one of the few felids with only semi-
retractable claws.