Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Cheetah
Understand the story of a Fast-running cat.
Common name – Cheetah
Scientific name – Acinonyx jubatus.
Size – 3 ft 7 inches – 4ft 11 inches.
Young to Adult transformation-
In the countries of Africa within tropical areas that consist of forests, mountainous regions or deserts a female gives birth, to almost 8 cubs, after 17-20 months of breeding . This process lasts for 20-25 minutes.
The mother keeps young ones hidden. The young ones have bushy hair around their shoulders and the back of their head. These vulnerable creatures have their eyes closed and need nursing from their mother in the morning. 2 weeks passed they open their eyes in 10 days and start to walk with small but rapid steps. Now after 2 months, they watch and learn to hunt when their mother displays them how to catch prey. It is ademo session hence the mother release the prey and just shows the act of how to catch it.
At 20 months the young ones are rigid spotted cats with a heavy build, a small round head with round eyes and long whiskers, a black stripe running down from eyes to cheeks, Buff-coloured body has brown spots and the underside is white. A well-trained Cheetahs! with long legs and a long tail, is ready to embark on their own.
Feeding and sharing within affectionate males –
Male Cheetahs are bulkier than females. They are active during the day. The other cats like lions and leopards may steal their food hence they are diurnal.
Cheetahs are gregarious like lions. Males are affectionate towards each other and callout if one member is lost. They hunt together and share their kills. The kills include Gazelles, Blackbuck, Chinkara, Wild goat, etc. They Chirp, Purr, Growl and Meow according to specific behaviour and situations.
Males fight for the territories to be near the female. Male scent mark with urine to claim territory.
After birth, Female Cheetahs stay close to their offspring. The lifespan of a female is 14-15 years and a male is of 12 years.
Conservation status-
Threats for the Cheetah are Habitat loss, hunting, road kills, illegal wildlife trade or bush encroachment. Bush encroachment is growth of high-density number of shrubs. The number rises more than beyond that disturbs the balance of the food chain, hence survival.
Hence, Cheetah’s existence is Vulnerable.
Also See ⇒ Cashmere Goat Facts