Cats of Africa
Cheetah
Acinonyx Jubatus
Cheetah's claws are not retractable, yet all other cats can retract their claws. A cheetah can't retract it's claws because they need the traction for running.
Africa had more than 100,000 Cheetahs in 1900, now there are only 10,000. (By clicking the picture above you will be redirected to a page that shows the hunting trophies of cheetahs from 2010 - 2014).
Cheetahs have become extinct in over 20 countries and they are found only in 23% of their historic range.
Cheetahs stalk their prey until they are within about 160 feet before going from 0 to 60mph in 3 seconds for about 300 feet (20 - 60 seconds).
Cheetahs eat primarily hoofed mammals weighing less than 90 pounds, including gazelles and young wildebeest. They will also eat smaller game such as hares, warthogs, and birds.
After a gestation of 90-98 days, females produce a litter of up to 9 kittens, with 3-4 being average.
At birth, the newborn's weigh approximately 5.29 – 10.58 ounces. Their eyes open around four to 11 days of age. The cubs are kept hidden in dense grass or under bushes until five or six weeks of age. The blue grey ruff or mane running down their back probably aids in camouflaging them during this time. Weaning occurs around three months. Less than one third of a litter is likely to survive to adulthood.
2 or 3 cheetah males, often brothers, will form a coalition. This small group will live and hunt together for life and usually claims a large area or range which may overlap several female territories. The average size of male territories is 14.4 square miles. Young males seek out an area at a great distance from their parent; sometimes as far as 300 miles.
