> Which cat doesn't have retractable claws?And the answer: cheetah.Photo credit: Shutterstock.The scientific name for the cheetah – Acinonyx – translates to "motionlessclaw." Known for their incredibly fast speeds, cheetahs have been clocked atrunning as fast as 71 mph (114 km/h). Having their claws out and available atall times helps them gain traction when they run.As the world's fastest land animals, any amount of traction helps maintain theirincredible speeds. These impressive cats can stride the length of an elephant ina single motion, and have evolved to overtake their prey with the element ofsurprise. Interestingly, despite being a very large cat, cheetahs can't roar. Instead,these nimble creatures purr much like a house cat (though they're not quite ascuddly). They can also chirp quite loudly – the sound traveling distances up toa mile away – to keep in touch with their cubs and other pack members. Thechirps vary from cheetah to cheetah, perhaps suggesting that their individualityallows each to recognize the other. Cheetah's tails are also adapted to help them track and catch prey. The tailacts as a rudder, allowing them to change directions quickly during a chase. Itcan also act as a counterweight to keep it upright as they zig zag across theplains. During the daytime, cheetahs use the tall grasses to conceal themselveswhile they hunt, camouflaging themselves while creeping as close as they can totheir prey.Learn more about this miraculous cats below.