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A cheetah is a golden-eyed cat that does not roar but
whenever it is angered or in fear, it may growl
menacingly. In its quieter mood, it purrs contentedly
under the shade of a tree like any other domestic cat.
In spite of this, it is a fearsome hunter and the
fastest four-legged animal on land. It can chase its
prey at a speed of up to one hundred and ten kilometers
per hour. The body of the cheetah is shaped for speed.
Its long hind legs support a slim but power-packed body.
The great amount of energy is provided by an unusually
large lung and heart. Designed for swift pursuit, the
cheetah is most at home in open country. A large area is
needed so that it can chase after and pounce on its prey
without any obstructions.
Although the cheetah is built for speed, it does not
have good enduring power. It is only able to sustain a
chase at top speed for a limited distance; so usually,
it hides itself until a victim is within close proximity
before it breaks cover to attack its prey. Normally,
only about one out of five attacks is successful for its
favorites consist of swift animals such as gazelles,
antelopes and hares. Thus, the cheetah has to work hard
for its meals.
A cheetah's teeth are not like other cats; neither
does it kill the same way the other cats do. Once it has
caught its victim, the cheetah turns the prey upside
down, rendering it defenseless. Then it twists the head
around, exposing the soft throat. Finally, it sinks its
teeth into the victim's throat and strangles it to
death.
The survival of cheetah cubs in their first year is
crucial. Many of the cubs die from diseases or are
attacked by animals like lions, eagles and hyenas. Those
that survive will follow their mothers on hunting trips.
Gradually, cubs learn their hunting skills and
lifestyles from their parents.
Sometimes, two or three cheetahs get together and
form and group. Then, they may go hunting for food as a
team to bring down a larger prey like a zebra. Such a
group of cheetahs is not a family group. They are
usually males in the company of a solitary female ready
to breed. There are also cases where a number of
cheetahs are seen hunting and living together. these are
usually brothers and sisters. They are from the same
litter of cubs which had grown up together without
parting as cheetahs normally would.
The African race of the cheetah is rare while the
Asiastic race is critically endangered. In much of its
former habitat, the cheetah is already extinct. |
