JG115

Justin Goldman Cheetah


 * Description **

The cheetah's scientific name is Acinonyx Jubatus. The threats of the cheetah becoming extinct include habitat loss, fragmentation and lack of prey. It is extinct in 20 countries. The cheetahs eats gazelles, wildebeest, impalas, hares, antelopes, warthogs and other animals. Only half of the chases, which last 20 to 60 seconds are successful.

Their litter size is 2 to 4 cubs. The mothers move their cubs to new hiding places every few days.

At 5-6 weeks old, cubs follow their mother and begin from eating their kills. When cheetahs are running, they use their tails to help them steer and change direction.

The cheetah has fair eyesight so it can spot prey during the day. Their color pattern helps them stay camouflaged in the grass.


 * Interesting Facts **

There are 10,000 cheetahs alive today. It is the f astest land animal on the planet.Once inhabited all of Africa and parts of Asia. There are 200 cheetahs in Iran. C heetahs can roar, but chirp and purr like house cats. Cheetahs live in groups called coalitions. Their claws are not retractable, so they can’t fight off predators. Their mating seasons are only in the spring. Their gestation is around 3 months each. The number of the last wild Asiatic cheetahs is 70-110.

Sometimes it perches on high places and watches for prey. The cheetah has to eat slowly so predators won’t steal their food or eat them. Cheetah predators include lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas, wild dogs, baboons, birds of prey and warthogs.