Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world. The yellowish, black spotted big cat hunts its prey in the savannah of Africa. The day-active cheetahs share their habitat with the nocturnal lions and leopards. Cheetahs live with their young, adult males form small groups. The secret of the cheetah's speed lies in his spine, nostrils, tail and claws. The long, flexible spine functions like a spring that contracts and expands again as you sprint through the savannah. The cheetah's large nostrils allow a higher oxygen uptake. The long black acts as a steering rudder, and the claws function like cleats on a football shoe. In order to feed their young, the cheetah often has to prey - mostly gazelles and antelopes. With its black spotted fur and striped tail, the cheetah is perfectly camouflaged in the high grass.