Question

Does a cheetah gallop

Answer 1

Yes, a cheetah's fastest mode of running is indeed often referred to as a "gallop." During this gallop, a cheetah's unique body structure—a light frame, long legs, and a flexible spine—allows it to extend its stride dramatically. At top speed, a cheetah can cover distances up to 22 feet (about 6.7 meters) in a single stride.

Cheetahs are also known for their incredible acceleration, often able to go from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) in just a few seconds. Their galloping technique follows a sequence where all four feet are off the ground twice in each stride—once when the legs are extended and again when they are gathered under the body. This is a motion similar to that of a horse's gallop, but more flexible and with different biomechanics adapted for high-speed pursuit.

This stride pattern of a cheetah's gallop is different from most other four-legged animals and is a key characteristic that enables it to be the fastest land animal on the planet, with speeds reaching up to around 70 mph (112 km/h). However, they can only maintain these incredible speeds for short bursts, typically around 20 to 30 seconds, due to the extreme energy demands and risk of overheating.