In 2013, Alan M. Wilson's scientific team at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, conducted 367 running tests on five cheetahs in Africa.

The recorded fastest speed of a cheetah was 25.9 meters per second.

However, reliable literature had previously documented cheetahs reaching speeds of up to 29 meters per second, equivalent to a staggering 104.4 kilometers per hour, more than twice as fast as Usain Bolt's top speed.

As the speed kings of the land, cheetahs exhibit astonishing acceleration. Within a mere 3 seconds, an adult cheetah can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour, equivalent to the performance of a standard Formula 1 racing car.

How does the cheetah achieve such lightning-fast speeds?

When compared to Usain Bolt, several similarities can be observed between them: streamlined bodies, long and muscular legs, and compact yet powerful muscle groups.

Though cheetahs don't wear running shoes, their paws, equipped with claws, are natural top-of-the-line running shoes. The pads on their paws are covered in thick calluses, providing a surface similar to a tire's tread, and while their claws cannot retract, they act as cleats, ensuring the cheetah's grip and traction.

Examining the cheetah's head reveals a small size, but its nose and nasal cavities are proportionally large, allowing the cheetah to intake copious amounts of oxygen while running.

Furthermore, cheetahs possess a large trachea and massive lungs, ensuring efficient utilization of the oxygen they breathe in.

The cheetah's heart and arterial blood vessels are also generously sized, guaranteeing ample blood flow to its muscles, and providing sufficient energy for their movement.

During turns, the cheetah's flattened tail comes into play, the cheetah can swing its tail in the direction of the turn, aiding in maintaining balance.

These fundamental features make the cheetah an outstanding runner, but what truly propels the cheetah to the top of the speed charts is its spinal column.

Observing the cheetah in motion, its spinal column resembles a spring, exhibiting remarkable resilience, with a significant range of flexion and extension. It first bends backward, then forcefully propels forward, providing powerful propulsion for the cheetah's four majestic legs to continuously sprint forward.

Additionally, the cheetah's "long legs" also play a role in assisting its stride, with the cheetah's legs-to-body-length ratio being the largest among all felids.

The cheetah, as the speed king of the African savannah, is renowned for its exceptional running ability. Its streamlined body, robust muscles, grippy paw pads, and agile tail constitute a perfect running machine.

From acceleration to maneuverability, every aspect of its design enables it to excel in hunting. It is not only the top predator of the savannah but also the embodiment of speed in the natural world, forever standing at the pinnacle of the animal kingdom.