Which mammal is the fastest?

The cheetah is the world's fastest mammal, capable of running at speeds of up to 70 miles (110 kilometers) per hour. Cheetahs can sprint from 0 to 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour) in about two seconds, reaching high speeds of up to 300 yards (274 meters). Its physical components are designed for speed: big nose, lungs, liver, heart, and adrenals allow the cheetah to adapt to its surroundings and seek prey. When it has to generate tremendous bursts of acceleration—usually to hunt down an antelope or escape the fangs of a band of hyenas—its long, thin body twists like a whip. Sprinting requires special paw pads and non-retractable claws.

The cheetah lives in southern Asia and Africa's vast savannas, where it has plenty of space to run, wander, and hunt its prey. Cheetah moms spend a lot of time training their cubs how to hunt. Small, live antelopes, such as gazelles or impalas, are brought near the cubs and released so they may chase and catch them. The cheetah hunts throughout the day, favoring early morning or late afternoon, but it is also active on moonlight evenings. Purring, hissing, whining, and growling are all ways cheetahs communicate.