Nature Trails with Adventurekim.com: The Cheetah captured with my Nikon Coolpix L820
The Cheetah (Jagluiperd) Acinonyx jubatus
This is one of my favorite of the big cats. Growing up in Africa is such a privilege to be able to see these animals out in the wild. I spent many hours of my childhood watching these beautiful creatures doing what they do best....run....run.
Size: 2m from head to end of tail and 0.8 m at the shoulders
Weight: 40-60 kg / Lifespan: 16 years
Habitat & Distribution: open plains & savanna woodland without the thick undergrowth
Gestation: 95 days and Number of young: 1-6 (average is 4)
Prey: medium to small antelope or the young of large antelope. Also eats a wide range of ground birds and small mammals (guineafowl, bustards, ostriches, hares and porcupines)
Once everyone had disappeared this cheetah came out of hiding and posed for about 15 minutes for me before disappearing again. The Cheetah is confined to the northern and northeastern parts of the Subregion.
The background colour of its body is a buffy white, usually darker along its back and then profusely covered with round or oval black spots.
These spots extend onto the proximal parts of the tail, which is about a third of the total length, the distal end with several black rings and a white tip.
the tail acts as a rudder to counterbalance the cheetah when it has to change direction quickly
There is a distinct black band running from the forehead through the inside edges of the eyes to the corners of the mouth.
The head is small and rounded and there is a mane of long hair from the nape of the neck to the top of the shoulders.
The head is streamlined with small ears. Easily recognizable with is two black "tear marks" running down the sides of its nose from the corners of its eyes to its mouth.
its teeth are smaller than other similar-sized predators as larger teeth would make the skull heavier. The reduced dentition also makes room for bigger nasal cavities to improve oxygen intake while in full sprint and to also facilitate breathing when suffocating its captured prey. Cheetahs also have aerodynamic nostrils to maximise the flow of air over them while running.
The chest is deep set to accommodate its large lungs and heart which is ideal for its job as a sprinter!!
The legs are long and spotted like the rest of its body and its underparts of the body are white. They have flexible spines and wasp-like shaped waists that in combination effect the long strides necessary to run so quickly.
the claws can be protracted but do not retract into sheaths as in other felids.
the front paws are larger than the back paws
Diurnal: both males and females are solitary. The females are solitary with dependent young and the males can also be found in small groups of two or three. So they do live in family groups or as in the case of males will co-operate as coalitions (usually brothers) to reinforce their sway against other males.
the males have smaller territories than the females which they demarcate with urine and faeces and these will overlap with areas regularly used by females, although the males will on accompany females within they are actually in oestrus. I was lucky enough to capture this male cheetah marking his territory on camera.
the males will ritualise in threatening displays to chase way intruders and will fight over females in heat with slaps of their front paws.
can see in this photo the small ears and shape of their nose
Although they are relatively large in size they generally do not attack large ungulates (hooved animals) such as the wildebeest, zebra or buffalo. They are not strong and lack the strength to pull down those powerful animals and in doing so would risk injury. Coalitions of males may co-operate to pull down larger prey but usually they target younger animals of these species. their usual meal is medium-sized to small bovids.
They are predators and as such they are accounted as the fastest mammals over short distance, able to clock up 112 kmph. Generally cheetahs will only accelerate up to speeds of 75-100 kmph at full sprint and this only last a few hundred metres before they tire.
litters of cubs are born and the mother will shelter them in the underbrush or tall grass at any time of the year.
They chirrup when excited and have a bird-like contact call that is able to carry over long distances.
In order to be successful they need to get close to their quarry before they start their final sprint and because of this have become good stalkers. they will hunt in open areas making use of any available cover to stalk or they may simply walk directly towards the prey freezing immediately should the animal they are stalking raise its head.
Cheetahs will try to get within 100 m from their prey before chasing it and then they typically will choose any animal which is isolated from the herd. Once the chase is under way cheetahs will pursue the animals for a short time only and its amazing sprinting ability must enable it to gain on the prey almost immediately in order to trip it up with paw and then secure a throat grip and in so doing will deprive the prey of already depleted oxygen reserves.
once the kill has been made the cheetah itself is too exhausted to feed immediately and rests to catch its breath.
the prey is eaten where it falls or dragged to nearby shade if available.
Cheetahs are actually rather picky eaters. They skim the meat on the surfaces of the carcass. They may eat the heart and liver but other inners are discarded. They will also discard the bones and skin due to the toughness and the cheetah's diminished dentition and small jaws. They will only scavenge occasionally and usually when displacing another predator is not required.
Cheetahs are also over-specialized for speed and this leads to them being almost totally defenceless against larger predators such as the lion, leopard, hyena and vultures. Because of this they will often loose their kills to the much larger predators. As mentioned once the kill is made the cheetah is pretty much exhausted and cannot begin to feed immediately. to counteract this problem cheetahs hunt during the day (ie: diurnal predators). this helps most of the time but should other predators become aware of the cheetah and its recent kill the will move in regardless of the time of day.
_______________________________________
This is one of my favorite of the big cats. Growing up in Africa is such a privilege to be able to see these animals out in the wild. I spent many hours of my childhood watching these beautiful creatures doing what they do best....run....run.
Size: 2m from head to end of tail and 0.8 m at the shoulders
Weight: 40-60 kg / Lifespan: 16 years
Habitat & Distribution: open plains & savanna woodland without the thick undergrowth
Gestation: 95 days and Number of young: 1-6 (average is 4)
Prey: medium to small antelope or the young of large antelope. Also eats a wide range of ground birds and small mammals (guineafowl, bustards, ostriches, hares and porcupines)
Once everyone had disappeared this cheetah came out of hiding and posed for about 15 minutes for me before disappearing again. The Cheetah is confined to the northern and northeastern parts of the Subregion.
The background colour of its body is a buffy white, usually darker along its back and then profusely covered with round or oval black spots.
These spots extend onto the proximal parts of the tail, which is about a third of the total length, the distal end with several black rings and a white tip.
There is a distinct black band running from the forehead through the inside edges of the eyes to the corners of the mouth.
The head is small and rounded and there is a mane of long hair from the nape of the neck to the top of the shoulders.
The head is streamlined with small ears. Easily recognizable with is two black "tear marks" running down the sides of its nose from the corners of its eyes to its mouth.
its teeth are smaller than other similar-sized predators as larger teeth would make the skull heavier. The reduced dentition also makes room for bigger nasal cavities to improve oxygen intake while in full sprint and to also facilitate breathing when suffocating its captured prey. Cheetahs also have aerodynamic nostrils to maximise the flow of air over them while running.
The chest is deep set to accommodate its large lungs and heart which is ideal for its job as a sprinter!!
The legs are long and spotted like the rest of its body and its underparts of the body are white. They have flexible spines and wasp-like shaped waists that in combination effect the long strides necessary to run so quickly.
the claws can be protracted but do not retract into sheaths as in other felids.
Diurnal: both males and females are solitary. The females are solitary with dependent young and the males can also be found in small groups of two or three. So they do live in family groups or as in the case of males will co-operate as coalitions (usually brothers) to reinforce their sway against other males.
the males have smaller territories than the females which they demarcate with urine and faeces and these will overlap with areas regularly used by females, although the males will on accompany females within they are actually in oestrus. I was lucky enough to capture this male cheetah marking his territory on camera.
the males will ritualise in threatening displays to chase way intruders and will fight over females in heat with slaps of their front paws.
Although they are relatively large in size they generally do not attack large ungulates (hooved animals) such as the wildebeest, zebra or buffalo. They are not strong and lack the strength to pull down those powerful animals and in doing so would risk injury. Coalitions of males may co-operate to pull down larger prey but usually they target younger animals of these species. their usual meal is medium-sized to small bovids.
They are predators and as such they are accounted as the fastest mammals over short distance, able to clock up 112 kmph. Generally cheetahs will only accelerate up to speeds of 75-100 kmph at full sprint and this only last a few hundred metres before they tire.
They chirrup when excited and have a bird-like contact call that is able to carry over long distances.
the prey is eaten where it falls or dragged to nearby shade if available.
Cheetahs are actually rather picky eaters. They skim the meat on the surfaces of the carcass. They may eat the heart and liver but other inners are discarded. They will also discard the bones and skin due to the toughness and the cheetah's diminished dentition and small jaws. They will only scavenge occasionally and usually when displacing another predator is not required.
Cheetahs are also over-specialized for speed and this leads to them being almost totally defenceless against larger predators such as the lion, leopard, hyena and vultures. Because of this they will often loose their kills to the much larger predators. As mentioned once the kill is made the cheetah is pretty much exhausted and cannot begin to feed immediately. to counteract this problem cheetahs hunt during the day (ie: diurnal predators). this helps most of the time but should other predators become aware of the cheetah and its recent kill the will move in regardless of the time of day.
Adventure with a purpose!™
The Team Zodwa Project ™
Member: FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)
Photo Credits: Kim Williams CopyrightMember: FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)
_______________________________________
Warmest
.png)
Kim Williams | Adventurer | Founder The Team Zodwa Project & Adventure with a purpose | Finalist Johnny Walker/Sunday Times Nation’s Greatest Hero Award | #Reachoutbeahero & #Adventurewithapurpose & #Trek4Hunger Ambassador |Brand Ambassador Eatfresh SA| Public Speaker|Facilitator| Outstanding Founders list @MagnificHQ |Outstanding People List @GirlsRunThings | Blogger| Fizzical National Everyday Hero Winner
Mobile 083 962 6707
Twitter @777adventurekim
Facebook adventurekim.com777
Blog mountaingirl777.blogspot.com
.png)
“Life is an adventure…so live it. It’s your choice!”™
The Team Zodwa Project ™
Reach out...be a hero!™
_______________________________________
Posts
