Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
by: Jana
Acinonyx jubatus
by: Jana
For a variety of reasons, cheetahs are some of the world's most extraordinary animals. It is recognized as one of the world's fastest land mammals and the most endangered large cat in Africa, with an approximate speed of 80–130 kilometers. The cheetah’s unique body features: include a flexible spine, retractable claws, long legs, and a tail that allows it to achieve the unbelievable top speed of 110 km/hr (70 mph). The life cycle of a cheetah includes three stages: cub (birth to 18 months), adolescent (18 to 24 months), and adult life (24 months and beyond). Cheetahs have 93-day pregnancy periods, and their young kinds range from one or two to six newborns. The cheetah serves a special role in its environment. Cheetahs are among the most successful predators in the savanna, though their prey is sometimes stolen by bigger carnivores or predators that hunt in groups. Cheetahs are visual hunters. Cheetahs, unlike other big cats, are seasonal, which means they hunt in the morning and late afternoon. Cheetahs climb 'play trees' or mounds of termites to have the best viewpoint for sighting prey on the horizon. They also have great skin and fur camouflage that helps them blend in with the surroundings and long grasses. Cheetahs eat gazelles (specifically the Thomson's gazelles), impalas, and other small to medium-sized like antelopes, hares, birds, and rodents. To sum up, cheetahs have marvelous features which allow them to survive in the savanna.