ap to IndonesianThe speed of a cheetah in running sparked the curiosity of Camille Grohe, an animal researcher. He finds out why the cheetah can still maintain balance despite running fast.
The head of this fastest land animal remains stable while it is running fast. Cheetah eyes barely split his concentration, just focusing on the prey.
Apparently, it is not the feet that make the cheetah able to keep running fast. Camille Grohe reveals, the inner cheetah ear that actually plays a role. This is as reviewed in the latest report in Scientific Reports on Friday (2/2/2018).
In this study, the scientists also compared 21 large cat type skulls. Seven of them belong to live cheetahs now.
The results show that cheetah ears that live today are not like the felida that is still sustainable until now. Felida is a big cat type. There is a change of cheetah ear part from time to time.
"The cheetah's ancestors have developed lean bones that make it easy for the cheetah to run very fast. Then, the inner ear is sensitive to head movement. This keeps the cheetah heads stable so they can run faster, "Grohe added.
Furthermore, compared to other large cats, the large vestibular system in the cheetah is more affected by its inner ear. This vestibular system gives rise to a balance on the cheetah
The earloop of the cheetah is semicircular. This channel that keeps the head and eye movements focused while the cheet...
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Swap to IndonesianThe earloop of the cheetah is semicircular. This channel that keeps the head and eye movements focused while the cheetah runs.
"This unique inner ear anatomy reflects increased sensitivity and a more agile response to head movements," said John Flynn, co-lead researcher, as quoted by National Geographic, Monday (5/2/2018).
The inner ear is the key to maintained balance and posture that remains stable when the cheetah runs fast.
The inner ear holds over three semicircular channels containing fluid and sensory hair cells. These three channels are responsible for determining movement in the head.
Each channel in the inner ear responds to different movements. One channel is responsible for the up and down motion. Other channels are sensitive to sideways. While the next channel is tasked for sloping motion from one side to the other.
The cheetah's ability to run fast is not only supported by the inner ear.
Long and flexible spine makes the cheetah able to accelerate movement from 0 to 96 km / h in just 3 seconds.
The large nasal cavity allows the cheetah to breathe air during the stretching phase. In addition, strong and sleek muscles make the body of the cheetah more pushed forward when running.