WILDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA |
| CHEETAH |
Latin Name: Acinonyx
jubatus Afrikaans: Jagluiperd |
 |
Distribution: |
Some National Parks and a few provincial reserves, some private game reserves. They rarely occur outside these areas |
Habitat: |
Mainly found in Savannah, grassland and open flat areas and sometimes in wooded areas |
| Habits: |
Fastest of all mammals running at speeds of more than 100 km/h when charging over a short distance. They are mainly solitary hunters, although sometimes they hunt in small groups. Bachelors and females with cubs catch prey by running them down |
| Difference between male and female: |
Males have a slightly heavier build than females. Mass – Males 38 to 60 kilograms – Females 35 to 50 kilograms |
| Lifespan: |
12 years |
| Breeding / Gestation: |
1 to 6 cubs (usually more than two) are born throughout the year after a gestation period of 3 months |
| Diet: |
Hares, Birds like Guineafowl, Spurfowl and Francolin
etc. Warthogs, small to medium sized antelope like Duiker and Impala.
When hunting in a group, larger prey may be caught. They are not really
water dependant as a Cheetah can get enough liquid from its prey,
but will drink if water is available. Day or night – Mainly active early in the morning and late afternoon towards dusk. |
| Enemies: |
Humans, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Wild dog, Nile Crocodile. |
| Interesting facts: |
Unlike the Leopard which has black rosettes all over its body, the Cheetah has black spots all over its body. Down both sides of the nose it has black lines which look like tearstains, running from the inside corner of its eyes down towards the mouth. Although catlike in appearance, the claws of adults are not retractable. Cheetahs prefer fresh prey and are not known to be fond of carrion. When hunting and running after prey, their long tails act as a rudder to steer them and to keep perfect balance. When prey are caught, it is devoured very quickly, as the cheetah's natural enemies regularly take prey away from them. |