Acinonyx jubatus is the scientific zoological name of which fast running wild animal?

Introduction / Context:
Zoological scientific names are used to uniquely identify animal species in a standard format across the world. Many general knowledge and biology questions ask you to match a Latin binomial name with its common animal name. Acinonyx jubatus is particularly famous because it refers to one of the fastest land animals on Earth. This question checks whether you can connect that scientific name with the correct common name among bear, cheetah, horse, and zebra.

Given Data / Assumptions:
– The scientific name given is Acinonyx jubatus.
– The options list four different familiar animals: bear, cheetah, horse, and zebra.
– We assume that you have seen or read about the major big cats and their scientific names in basic zoology.
– The task is to identify which option correctly matches the binomial name Acinonyx jubatus.

Concept / Approach:
In binomial nomenclature, the first word is the genus and the second is the species. Acinonyx is a genus that includes the cheetah, which is known for its slender body and very high running speed. The full scientific name Acinonyx jubatus is reserved for the cheetah. Bears belong to the family Ursidae and have scientific names such as Ursus arctos for the brown bear. Horses are Equus caballus, and zebras belong to species like Equus quagga and Equus zebra. None of these genera are Acinonyx. Therefore the only correct match for Acinonyx jubatus among the options is the cheetah.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that cheetahs are often mentioned in textbooks as Acinonyx jubatus, highlighting their unique genus, Acinonyx. Step 2: Recognise that bears, horses, and zebras have completely different genera such as Ursus and Equus. Step 3: Match the genus Acinonyx with the big cat that is known primarily for extreme speed. Step 4: Conclude that Acinonyx jubatus is the scientific name of the cheetah.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can check any reliable zoology reference, wildlife field guide, or credible website about big cats. All of them will list Acinonyx jubatus as the scientific name of the cheetah. They may even contrast it with Panthera leo for lion, Panthera tigris for tiger, and Panthera pardus for leopard. None of the other animals listed in the options share this binomial name. This cross checking confirms that the correct answer is cheetah.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bear: Bears are mammals from the family Ursidae, and common species have scientific names such as Ursus arctos or Ursus americanus, so they are not Acinonyx jubatus.
Horse: The domestic horse is known as Equus caballus, belonging to a completely different genus and family from the cheetah, which makes this option incorrect.
Zebra: Zebras are also Equus species, for example Equus quagga, and thus do not match the genus Acinonyx used only for the cheetah.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners mix up the scientific names of large mammals, especially big cats, because they all have Latin names that may sound similar. A frequent error is to assume that any exotic sounding name like Acinonyx jubatus could belong to a zebra or another African animal without careful recall. To avoid this, it helps to memorise a short list of key scientific names together with a distinctive feature: for example, Acinonyx jubatus for the cheetah and its speed, Panthera leo for the lion and its mane, and Panthera tigris for the tiger and its stripes. Linking the name with a mental image makes recall much easier during exams.

Final Answer:
The scientific zoological name Acinonyx jubatus belongs to the fast running wild cat known as the Cheetah.