Professor Deborah Shaffer
Biology 102
26 April 2015 The Organism Paper: The Cheetah
The Cheetah, by all accounts, is considered the fastest animal in the world. Even with this special ability, the cheetah must generate adaptations which allow it to survive, thrive and prosper, in its given environment. This paper will provide a detailed account of the cheetah’s native habitat and explore the anatomical and physiological characteristics which allow this creature to successfully exist.
Historically, cheetahs were once found throughout all of Africa and Asia. Now, as an endangered species, they are found primarily in Africa, with the highest concentration of cheetah’s living in protected natural reserves and parks. The reserves …show more content…
By definition, anatomical means “of or relating to bodily structure of a living organism”. This is evidenced in the physical characteristics of the animal, both their skeletal system and their muscular system.
Cheetahs appear to be “built for speed” as they have a light and aerodynamic body frame with long, lean and limber back legs. The cheetah has a very flexible spine which allows a long stride when at a full on run. They also have small paws, as compared to other big cats, which are easier to control and enhance their speed. Their claws are somewhat retractable and help the cheetah achieve great speed. Their long tail provides balance and stability. The cheetah has relatively small teeth when compared to other cats which permits more oxygen to enter the mouth …show more content…
As a result of these deviations, the cheetah is prone to illness and disease. One in three cubs in every liter dies -- a contributing factor in their endangered species status.
The function of the digestive system is to properly provide nutrients to the organism (cheetah). Because of their ability to run fast, the cheetah has an extremely efficient metabolism. It is able to quickly digest its food, faster than others, because of the acidity base in its stomach. This quick ingestion allows the cheetah to maintain its agility and never be weighed down by the contents in its stomach.
The urinary system can also be known as the excretory system and relates to the body’s ability to eliminate waste product, both liquid and solid. One special feature of the urinary/excretory system for cheetahs is that they do not require that much water on a daily basis. They have the ability to store water, and use fluid from their prey to hydrate