Cheetahs

Cheetahs have to compete with Leopards, hyenas and Lions, all of which would not hesitate to snack on a cheetah if they could catch one.
First, it is spelled "predators." Second, YES, unfortunately, the beautiful and delicate, Cheetah are the most delicate and lightest of the "large cats" of the African Plains! Lions, Leopards, Hyenas and even Baboons will all kill a Cheetah.
Adult Cheetah's have no natural enemies or predators. They are too fast to be caught by any other animal. However, the youngsters are vulnerable to animals like lions and hyenas.

Apart from this, humans are the biggest threat to cheetahs. Humans have hunted them for centuries almost wiping them out in Asia and driving them to low numbers in Africa.

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