Cheetah

Cheetah - Acinonyx jubatus

Desricption:

Cheetah, common name for a large cat, found mainly in Africa but with small populations in Iran and north-western Afghanistan, that has a similar body weight to the leopard (50 to 60 kg/110 to 130 lb) but has a longer body, much longer legs, and a smaller head. The head and body, without the tail, are about 1.1 to 1.5 m (3.6 to 4.9 ft) long, and the claws are short and lack the sheath that covers retracted claws in other cat species.

The coat is yellowish-brown with black spots; cubs also have a spotted coat, but over the back and head is a mantle of long, silky, grey hair that remains for up to four months.

Female cheetahs are solitary animals, except when with their cubs. Mature males generally travel alone or in coalitions of two to three males, often siblings, joining females only at mating time.

The body of the cheetah is adapted for taking prey by running rather than by leaping from ambush, as with the leopard, and the cheetah hunts by sight rather than by smell. Over short distances it is the fastest land-living animal that exists, being able to attain speeds up to about 110 km/h (68 mph).

Environment:

Open country, as deserts, plains, and savannas.

Food:

The cheetah mainly feeds on hares, jackale, small antelope, the young of larger antelope and birds, such as bastards and young ostriches.

Problem:

Most of the cheetahs habitat is wipped out and poachers kill the cheetahs just for its golden coat.

Solution:

Many zoos world-wide are helping the cheetah out with their population. They breed cheetahs and release the new born into the wild, hoping they will breed on their own.

Information provided by: http://members.optusnet.com.au.