Saturday 26 April 2014

Cheetah / Acinonyx jubatus

The Cheetah

Cheetahs are one of the fastest land mammals, in the world, they could easily leave a car in the dust as they can speed from 0-60 miles an hour in only 3 seconds! 
These big cats are quite nimble at high speed and can make quick and sudden turns in pursuit of prey.

This big cat is a daylight hunter that benefits from stealthy movement and a distinctive spotted coat that allows it to blend easily into high, dry grasses.
When the moment is right a cheetah will sprint after its quarry and attempt to knock it down. 

Most wild cheetahs are found in eastern and south-western Africa. Perhaps only 7,000 to 10,000 of these big cats remain, and those are under pressure as the wide-open grasslands they favour are disappearing at the hands of human settlers.

Female cheetahs typically have a litter of three cubs and live with them for one and a half to two years. Young cubs spend their first year learning from their mother and practising hunting techniques with playful games.

These mammals are carnivores and they can live up to 10 to 12 years, their protection status is vulnerable at the moment.

Size relative to man:
Illustration: Cheetah compared with adult man

Cheetahs eyes are normally, brown, orange or blue.

 
 

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