Acynonyx jubatus                                 Eastern Africa

In both looks and physical mobility the cheetah resembles a large muscular greyhound - its long streamlined body is carried on long, thin but powerful legs, which endow it with great speed in the chase. A fully grown cheetah can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph and can easily outrun any animal over short distances. Its paws too, are almost dog-like, narrow and hard padded they sport only slightly retractable claws, the only of its type amongst the species of cat, and offer the cat extra grip in its high-speed pursuits. The cheetah unlike other Big Cat, does not roar, however it does purr and other vocal sounds range from high pitched yelps and barks to longer chirruping sounds.