| |
Cheetah
(Acinonyx jubatus)
Cheetahs
have yellow coats with solid black spots, and white underbellies.
Their tail ends in black bands and is laterally flattened.
Solid black lines called “tearmarks” run from the
inner corner of each eye to the outer corners of the mouth.
Eye colour ranges from pale gold to dark brown. Cheetahs have
long legs with five digits on the front feet and four digits
on the back feet, with semi-retractable claws. Cheetahs have
a large chest, to accommodate their internal organs adapted
for speed, a small waist, and a relatively small head, compared
to other large carnivores. Adult male cheetahs in Namibia
weigh between 38 and 60 kg, and adult females between 30 and
45 kg.
| Spoor
Although
male cheetahs are larger than females, it is difficult
to tell their spoor apart. There is a slight difference
between the front and back foot. The latter being longer
and slightly shorter than the front foot is bigger.
Average measurements (mm) are presented (width x height). |
|
|
| Front
foot - 88 x 105mm |
Back
foot - 85 x 107mm |
Biology
Cheetahs are active
at night, and especially around sunrise and sunset. Female
cheetahs are solitary, except when rearing cubs. Groups of
males, often brothers, are known to form coalitions. Cheetahs
have large home ranges (600 – 3000 sqr km). In Namibia
cheetahs regularly use “play trees” scent marking.
Cubs (3-6) are born after a gestation period of 90-95 days,
and stay with their mother for up to 18 months. Contrary to
popular belief, cheetahs are just as at home in savannah woodland
as they are on the open plains. They will drink when water
is available but can rely on their prey for their moisture
requirements.
Distribution
Cheetahs occur throughout most of Namibia, including low densities
in the Namib Desert and as far south as the Orange River.
Freehold land around Hochfeld and Summerdown support a high
density of cheetahs.
Predation
Their principle prey consists of small or medium-sized
antelope, and the young of larger antelope. In addition cheetahs
take a wide range of ground birds and small mammals, such
as guinea fowls, bustards, hares, and porcupines. In Etosha
cheetahs mainly prey on springboks (70-80% of all kills),
followed by scrub hares and steenboks. On freehold land, cheetahs
appear to take kudu and hartebeest calves, followed by other
smaller species. When available, cheetahs will also prey on
exotic game species like impala or blesbok.
Conflict/Enemies
Cheetahs are known to kill domestic livestock
and, as a result many cheetahs are trapped or shot by farmers
that view them as problem animals. Cheetahs are also susceptible
to intra-specific competition with other large carnivores.
Lions, leopards, wild dogs and spotted hyaenas are known to
kill their cubs and steal their food.
Multimedia
(Download
QuickTime
to view video clips)
Filmed
during a behavioural study in Etosha (1988) using an
Infra-red camera supplied by National Geographic. Camera
operated by Holly Payne.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
