The world's fastest land mammal is the cheetah. When hunting for their prey, it can sprint up to 70 mph (112 kph) in only a few seconds. Many adaptable characteristics come together to achieve this speed. Apart from helping with speed during an attack, their long legs and small size also assist in flexibility. Due to their movement, they can quickly move direction and hunt moving targets. When cheetahs hide in the tall grass or around an acacia tree, their areas become a form of camouflage. When they sprint and jump, their extraordinarily long tail helps in balance. Possibly another reason for their ability to run is that they are the only cats without flexible claws, so they can dig in with their claws.