The cheetah is the fastest accelerating land mammal on the planet. It can spring up to 60 mph in a few seconds, and keep up this burst for 300 yards. It prefers to hunt in open areas so it can utilize this speed advantage, and uses it long tail as leverage for sharp turns. It needs to eat its prey rapidly since hyena and lion can easily take its food. Its numbers have dwindled due to habitat loss and competition from other predators.