Cheetah

The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat familiy that is unique in its speed, while lacking climbing abilities. It is the fastest land animal, reaching speeds between 112 and 120 km/h in short bursts covering distances up to 460 m, and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to 103 km/h in three seconds, faster than most supercars.

There are several geographically isolated populations of cheetah, all of which are found in Africa or Southwestern Asia. A small population survive in the Khorasan Province of Iran, where conservationists are taking steps to protect them. It is possible, that some cheetahs remain in India. There have also been several unconfirmed reports of Asiatic Cheetahs in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.

The cheetah thrives in areas with vast expanses of land. The cheetah likes to live in an open biotope, such as semi-desert, prairie, and thick brush, though it can be found in a variety of habitats. In Namibia, for example, it lives in grasslands, savannahs, areas of dense vegetation, and mountainous terrain.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetah - 09.04.2010