Page 38 - Present Day Wildlife_Float

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large wildcat and is the only extant species in the genus Ac-
inonyx, in the Subfamily: Felinae, a member of the Family: Felidae. Four subspecies* are recognised
today and are native to Africa and central Iran with small numbers in Afghanistan, Iraq and Paki-
stan. The cheetah stands about 67 to 94 cm tall at the shoulder, has a body length around 1.1 to 1.5
metres, and an average weight of around 21 to 72 kg.

*Subspecies
Southeast African cheetah
Asiatic cheetah
Northeast African cheetah
Northwest African cheetah

Unlike other large wildcats like the Lion and
Tiger, the Cheetah is one of the few big wildcats
that have true canine features. It has a long snout,
long legs and tail, a deep chest, tough paw pads
and blunt, semi-retractable claws. Some even
question its designation as a big wildcat. It doesn’t
roar nor have the temperament of other big cats.
Compared to the other large feline mammals, it’s
timid, making it easily exploited by other more
aggressive big cats.

The cheetah is very habitat tolerant, and
can be found in deserts, grassy savannas, and
even in the dry mountain ranges of the Sahara. Its environment is believed to influence its size and
the colour of its coat. In dry desert regions, the Cheetah is usually much smaller, and has a very pale
coat. In Southern Africa some cheetahs have much larger black spots; there are even some with thick
black stripes running down their backs. There have also been unconfirmed sightings of an albino
cheetah in Kenya.

Like all the big wildcats it’s a carnivore. Its prey will normally
be dictated by the environment it resides and what’s available in
that area. This could be small and medium-sized animals, such as
hares, impalas, wildebeest calves, and gazelles. However, its success
in catching the larger prey, like the fast running gazelle, is very
poor, failing to catch and down nearly 80 percent of the large prey it
chases. Although recognised as the fastest mammal on the planet,
reaching speeds of around 96 km/h, the Cheetah can only maintain
this speed for a very short time, (some estimate as little as 30 sec-
onds) before it must rest. Any fast animal with a heads start will
usually leave the Cheetah lying exhausted far behind it.

Once it has made a kill, the Cheetah has to
move fast. The smell of the kill will attract other
large wildcats in the area; many of whom prey on
the Cheetah. If exhausted after a hectic chase it may
drag the prey to a sheltered spot where it will rest
before eating. Other than that it will attempt to eat
the prey very fast. It will also share the prey with
other Cheetahs and juveniles, who were present at
the kill but did not take part in bringing the prey
down. If a large predator does appear the hungry
Cheetah will hunker down snarling and growling
putting on a show of aggression while it continues to
eat. Fearful of injury from the now very alert chee-
tah, the intruder will stand off, putting on a similar
display of aggression. Once finished, the Cheetah
backs off, leaving what’s left to the intruder, while it
safely makes its escape.