The cheetah is the big cat known for claws that cannot fully retract.
Unlike most cats, cheetahs retain exposed claw tips because their claws function partly like the spikes on a running shoe. This gives them extra traction while accelerating and making sharp turns during high-speed chases. Their specialized feet, flexible spine, long legs, and large nasal passages all support rapid pursuit.
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching roughly 100–120 kilometres per hour in short bursts. They do not maintain that speed for long; a chase usually lasts less than a minute because sprinting produces intense heat and uses substantial energy.
Cheetahs are sometimes confused with leopards because both have spotted coats. A cheetah has solid black spots and distinctive dark tear marks running from the inner corners of its eyes toward its mouth. Lions, tigers, and leopards have retractable claws, while the cheetah’s claws remain more visibly exposed.