CHEETAH Scientific name:Acrimony jabots

CHEETAH

Scientific name:Acrimony jabots

The cheetah is a large-sized feline ,a member of family Elide.The cheetah is the only extant member of the genus Acrimony.

Range and habitat

The cheetah inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East.Cheetahs thrive in areas with vast expanses of land where prey is abundant. In Namibia cheetahs have been found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, savannahs, dense vegetation, and mountainous terrain. Ninety-five percept of the Namibian population lives on commercial farms.There are several geographically isolated populations of cheetah, all of which are found in Africa or south-western Asia. A small population (estimated at about fifty) survive in the Khorana Province of Iran.

Physical characteristics

Most notable for modifications in the species' paws. As such, it is the only felid with non-retractable claws and pads that, by their scope, disallow gripping (therefore cheetah cannot climb vertical trees, although they are generally capable of reaching easily accessible branches).

Average Weight:
Female: 41kg - 50kg ( 90 - 110 lbs.)

Male: 50kg - 64kg (110- 140 lbs.)

Size (Length):

Female: 1.5m-1.8m (5 ft. - 6 ft.)

Male: 1.8m-2.1m (6 ft.. - 7 ft.).

Reproduction

Sexual maturity occurs at 20-23 months. The gestation period is about 95 days, and the average litter size is 4-5 cubs. Cubs are smoky-grey in colour with long hair, called a mantle, running along their backs; they are up to 30 cm long and weigh 250-300 grams at birth.

Hunting and diet

The cheetah is a carnivore, eating mostly mammals under 40 kg , All felines are carnivorous. Cheetahs main diet is small hooved mammals , the smaller of the many antelope species such as the Thompson's gazelle and impalas. When Cheetahs hunt in groups, they are capable of taking down the larger wildebeest and zebra species. Cheetahs also hunt hares, small mammals and birds.
The cheetah has an average hunting success rate of around 50%.Running at speeds between 112 and 120 km/h (70 and 75 mph) puts a great deal of strain on the cheetah's body.

Predatory

Despite their speed and hunting prowess, cheetahs are largely outranked by other large predators in most of their range.A cheetah has a 50% chance of losing its kill to other predators. They usually avoid fighting and will surrender a kill immediately to even a single hyena, rather than risk injury.The cheetah's mortality is very high during the early weeks of its life; up to 90% of cheetah cubs are killed during this time by lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, or even by eagles.

Life expectancy

Its Lifespan: 10-12 Years.