   The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the
cat family (Felidae) that hunts by speed rather than by stealth
or pack tactics. It is the fastest of all terrestrial animals
and can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h (70 mph) in short bursts.
The cheetah's body is svelte and muscular, though it seems
slender and almost fragile in build. Its chest is deep and its
waist narrow. It has a small head and short muzzle, high-placed
eyes, large nostrils, and small round ears. The fur of the
cheetah is yellow with round black spots and black tear lines on
the sides of the muzzle. The adult animal weighs from 40 to 65
kg (90 to 140 lb). Its total body length is from 112 to 135 cm
(45 in to 55 in), while the tail can measure up to 84 cm (33
in).    The English word "cheetah" comes from Hindi chiitaa,
which is perhaps derived from Sanskrit chitraka, meaning "the
spotted one". Other major European languages use variants of the
medieval Latin gattus pardus, meaning "cat-leopard": French
guépard; Italian ghepard