Speed Challenge: Cheetah vs Mako
Cheetahs are one of the fastest land animals and the mako shark is called the cheetah of the sea, but which one is the fastest? Come along with us as we compare cheetah speed and mako shark speed! Don’t forget to print your free cheetah coloring page at the end!
Cheetah Speed Details
Cheetahs are so fast because they have many adaptations that lend themselves to speed.
Cheetahs have a lean body and long, slender legs, which help to minimize their weight and increase their stride length. This allows them to cover more ground with each stride and maintain their speed for longer periods.
They have a highly specialized respiratory system that enables them to take in more oxygen with each breath, which allows their muscles to work more efficiently and for longer periods.
Cheetahs have a flexible spine and a long tail that helps them to maintain balance while running at high speeds, and they use their tail as a rudder to steer and change direction quickly.
They have powerful leg muscles allowing them to accelerate quickly and reach top speeds in just a few seconds. They can maintain this incredible speed for short distances of around 500 meters, but they quickly overheat and tire if they continue to run at full speed for longer periods.
Mako Shark Speed Details
Sharks have their own set of adaptations and the mako is no exception with many that allow for its incredible speed.
The Mako has a streamlined body shape that reduces drag and allows them to move through the water with minimal resistance. Their body is also designed to reduce turbulence and create lift, which enables them to swim faster.
They have a large, muscular tail that provides the power necessary for them to swim quickly. The tail is used to generate thrust by sweeping back and forth, propelling the shark through the water.
The Mako has a unique circulatory system that allows them to maintain their body temperature higher than the surrounding water. This helps them to swim faster and with more agility than other sharks that are not able to regulate their body temperature as effectively.
They have a specialized circulatory system that allows them to take in more oxygen, which is necessary for high-speed swimming. They have a counter-current exchange system that enables them to extract oxygen more efficiently from the water they swim through.
Mako Sharks are the fastest, to learn about the largest shark check out this post. All sharks are threatened by ocean pollution, learn more about it here.
Top Speeds
Both of them are equipped with the tools they need to move fast! But what is the cheetah top speed compared to the mako top speed, and which one is faster?
Mako sharks swim at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour), whereas cheetahs run at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour). So just looking at top speeds the cheetah is the faster animal, but it would depend on the individual animals as to who would win a race.
FREE Cheetah coloring page:
