What are facts about cheetahs?

Answer 1

Cheetahs:

Binomial name is: Acinonyx Jubatus;

Are of the Felidae family, of the Carnivora order

Are the fastest land mammal, and can run about 60 mph;

Do not have spots on their undersides;

Are endangered due to habitat loss and their weak adaptability;

World population is about 12,000 today;

Are gender dimorphic, males having larger heads, and being slightly larger, overall, than females;

Can live about 12 years in the wild, and 17years, rarely 20, in captivity;

Live in relatively flat, open land with an abundance of prey herbivores;

Cannot roar; but can growl and yowl, and make chirping calls to their young;

Are the weakest of all the big cats;

Have black dashes from their eyes down their noses that reduce glare;

Are tall and evolved for speed, with whip-like spines; and long, slim, muscular legs;

Can run at full speed only for short distances. Normal sprints are about 100 meters or less;

Gestation period is 90 to 95 days;

Are relatively poor climbers;

Have flattened tails, spots, merging to 4 to 6 end rings, used for balance and quick directional changes;

Can purr during both, inhalation and exhalation, like domestic cats;

Rarely drink water, gaining needed moisture from their prey;

Hunt daily

Are, from head to base of tail, about 4.3-4.9 ft long;

Tails are about 2-2.5 ft. long;

Weigh about 75-150 lbs;

Achieve top speed in about 3 seconds

Cover almost 33 feet with each stride at top speed;

Males tend to live in small groups while females are more solitary;

Favorite prey are Gazelles and other small antelopes;

Diets also include hares, rodents, game birds, and occasionally, larger prey like zebras;

Are almost exclusively daylight hunters;

Stalk prey from a distance;

Select prey that are young, old, injured, or otherwise weak animals.

In earlier times, were found throughout Africa;

Now, are only found in less than one third(20-30%) of the continent;

Mate at any time, throughout the year;

Have litters as large as eight, but usually only 2-5 cubs are born;

Cubs are born with long grey fur and manes, which disappear later;

Sometimes capture prey alive so their cubs can practice hunting skills;

Genetically separated from their closest relatives about 6 or7 million years ago;
they are really fast