Grace and speed, the two qualities the cheetah is best known for, are what this sculpture is all about.  Unlike most of the big cats, the cheetah hunts during the day because he doesn’t have to rely on stealth to make the kill - he relies on speed.  And being built for speed rather than strength, his daytime kill is less likely to be stolen by stronger predators that are out more at night.

During a full-out charge, which can reach speeds up to 70 mph, the cheetah’s body flexes rhythmically from a full stretch with back swayed to the pose depicted here, with the back arched and feet gathered in, ready to spring into the next stretch.