What is the scientific name of the cheetah?

The story behind the answer

The cheetah is the sole living member of the genus Acinonyx, distinguished by semi-retractable claws and a lightweight, flexible frame built for sprinting. By contrast, Felis catus is the domestic cat, Lynx rufus the North American bobcat, and Panthera onca the jaguar, a robust New World big cat in the roaring genus Panthera. Cheetahs cannot roar and have a very different skull and limb morphology.

Its name reflects key traits: Acinonyx likely combines Greek roots for unmoving and claw, nodding to the claws that do not fully retract, while jubatus is Latin for crested, a reference to the mantle on cubs. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, reaching about 100 km/h in short bursts, and are listed as Vulnerable, with most in sub-Saharan Africa and a remnant in Iran.