The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) name derives derived from cītā (Hindi: चीता), which in turn comes from the Sanskrit word citra (चित्रय) meaning "variegated, adorned, painted”. It has electrifying speed which can top 70mph (114kph) But the speed is the final nail in the coffin of its prey. Prior to that the cheetah uses every means possible to stalk its target, including termite mounds, long grass, and fallen logs that litter the plains. Its yellowish tan or rufous to greyish white coat is uniformly covered with nearly 2,000 solid black spots. It occurs in North, Southern and East Africa, and a few localities in Iran.
