Scientific classification of Cheetah

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION

Some experts state that all cheetah alive today are as closely related as identical twins. But subspecies in identical twins  seem to be a contradiction.  So are there true difference in cheetah subspecies?  Variations in fur length, spot diameter and body size make up the bulk of the described variations.  CARO describes A.j. velox as having "longer hair than jubatus, especially on nape and belly..." and A.j. hecki with a "small body size, dainty, pale", etc.  DIVYABHANUSINH describes those living in the Sahara Desert as lighter in color; those living in wooded areas as darker; those living in cold climates having longer fur. Perhaps a cheetah's outward appearance depends on its environment.

Source:cheetahspot.com

Read more ...

Videos of cheetah

source;youtube.com

Read more ...

Pictures of cheetahs

Cheetahs

Cheetah Family 1, Maasai Mara, Kenya	Cheetah Family 2, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Cheetah and Cub 1, Maasai Mara, Kenya	Cheetah and Cub 2, Maasai Mara, Kenya
Cheetah and Cubs, Maasai Mara, Kenya	Cheetah Portrait 1, Maasai Mara, Kenya

 

Source: http://rosswarner.com

Read more ...

Reproduction of cheetahs

Cheetah Reproduction

 

The fact that the Cheetah reproduces at a very slow rate is a huge concern. Studies show that the males often suffer from a low production of sperm. This means even when they do mate there isn’t always a high chance of young being created. In captivity the rate or reproduction is also very low. There are breeding programs but they don’t seem to be helping as much as we had hoped.
Another factor that experts worry about is that the Cheetah has a genetic make up that is very similar. There isn’t much variety at all when it comes to the genes that they can pass along to their offspring. When you factor in that there are less and less of them remaining in the wild they are becoming closer and closer related to each other. As a result of this serious defects and other issues are becoming more common among the population that remains.
The male Cheetah is ready to mate when they are about 1 year old. The females are 2 years of age when they are ready to do so. It is possible for them to take part in the mating process any time of the year. Those periods though where there is more food for them is when most of the mating does occur though.

Source: felineworlds.com

Read more ...

Species

cheetah species

 

Almost like clones in their similarity to one another, the cheetah species’ homogeneity makes them especially vulnerable to disease.

• the cheetah species’ homogeneity makes them especially vulnerable to disease
• the cheetah species is especially vulnerable to disease because of its homogeneity
• the homogeneity of the cheetah species makes it especially vulnerable to disease
• homogeneity makes members of the cheetah species especially vulnerable to disease
• members of the cheetah species are especially vulnerable to disease because of their homogeneity

 Source:urch.com

Read more ...

Diet

Cheetah diet

Cheetah diet includes small to medium antelopes such as Thompson’s gazelles and Impalas, young of larger antelopes, young warthogs, rabbits and game bird.
Their preys will usually be under fifty kilograms.
Cheetahs eat about 6 lbs (2.7kgs) of meat per day.
Cheetahs need to drink once every 3 to 4 days only.
The cheetah hunts during the daylight as they hunt by vision rather by scent.
He gets as close to the prey as possible, usually not further than 20 meters, because they unable to run fast on a long distance. When the prey is close enough, he will go for it by knocking it to the ground with its paw and bite it at the neck.

Source:voilacapetown.com

 

Read more ...

Behavior/characteristics

Characteristics of the Cheetah

 

Cheetahs are well known for their speed, which can reach up to 70 miles per hour. But there is more to these creatures than quickness. Cheetahs, which are found primarily in the open plains, woodlands and semi-desert areas of southern and eastern Africa, have other fascinating habits and characteristics which make them unusual. 

Source:ehow.com

Read more ...

Habitat

Cheetah's Habitat

Cheetahs may be fast but the question that wildlife biologists ask is, are they fast enough to outrun extinction? Today cheetahs are an endangered species. Like all spotted and striped cats, cheetahs have long been under pressure by the fur trade. But, over-hunting is not the principle problem facing cheetahs. Loss of habitat, competition with large predators and ranchers, as well as its own loss of genetic variation, is killing off the remaining cheetahs. The real threat to cheetahs is that there is not room enough for them and their needs on a crowded continent.

source:lions.orglions.org

Read more ...

All about cheetah

All About Cheetahs

The cheetah is often mistaken for a leopard. Its distinguishing marks are the long teardrop-shaped lines on each side of the nose from the corner of its eyes to its mouth. The cheetah's coat is tan, or buff colored, with black spots measuring from 78 to 1.85 inches across. There are no spots on its white belly, and the tail has spots that merge to form four to six dark rings at the end. The tail usually ends in a bushy white tuft. Male cheetahs are slightly larger than females and have a slightly bigger head, but it is difficult to tell males and females apart by appearance alone.
The fur of newborn cubs is dark and the spots are blended together and barely visible. During the first few weeks of life, a thick yellowish-gray coat, called a mantle, grows along the cub's back. The dark color helps the cub to blend into the shadows, and the mantle is thought to have several purposes, including acting as a thermostatic umbrella against rain and the sun, and as a camouflage imitating the dry dead grass. The mantle is also thought to be a mimicry defense, causing the cub to resemble a ratel, or honey badger, which is a very vicious small predator that is left alone by most other predators.

Source:.spfdbus

Read more ...