本帖最后由 人与自然 于 2012-12-1 00:40 编辑
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2239510/Amazing-high-definition-footage-cheetahs-reaching-60-mph-sprint-king-jungles-effortless-speed.html
Stunning slow motion footage of graceful cheetah's running at speeds in excess of 60 mph have been captured in slow motion in full high definition glory.
Filmed for National Geographic by a Phantom high speed camera and recorded at 1200 frames per second, every rippling sinew of the cheetah's body can be seen to move - almost floating in the air as all four paws lift off the ground.
Using five of the athletic from Cincinnati Zoo, the footage was filmed as the cheetah's chased a furry lure and incredibly in some cases the beast's almost managed to catch it.
Cheetahs are built for speed. Their flexible spine allows their front legs to stretch far forward on each stride, covering 20 to 22 feet in one stride, about the same distance as a racehorse
Cheetahs are endangered, and their population worldwide has shrunk from about 100,000 in 1900 to an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 cheetahs today
The animals are off the ground more than half of their running time. Their claws are hard and sharp like cleats, giving them great traction when they run
Cincinnati Zoo has been dubbed 'The Cheetah Capital of the World' and its cheetah breeding centre is one of only four similar facilities in the United States
Since 1980 Cincinnati Zoo¿s 'Cat Ambassador Program' has taken African cheetahs to schools and programs around the U.S, Canada, and Central America
Since 1990 Cincinnati Zoo¿s 'Angel Fund,' has contributed more than $1 million in support for cheetahs in the wild
The cheetah's almost caught up with the lure's at least once during the day's filming by National Geographic
Cheetah's can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph's and are the fastest animal on land |