* Shallow Breathing: Unlike other big cats, cheetahs have a shallow breathing pattern while running. This helps prevent them from overheating by minimizing the amount of heat generated during respiration.
* Large Nasal Cavity: Cheetahs have a large nasal cavity with numerous turbinates, which are bony structures that help cool the air inhaled and exhaled.
* Panting: Like most mammals, cheetahs pant to cool down. Panting increases the rate of evaporation from the tongue and respiratory tract, which cools the body.
* Sparse Fur: While cheetahs do have a coat of fur, it's quite thin and short. This helps them stay cooler by allowing for better heat dissipation.
* Body Shape: Cheetahs have a slender body build with a long, thin tail. This design helps them dissipate heat more effectively.
These adaptations work together to allow cheetahs to stay cool despite their incredible speed and the heat generated during exertion.