What do we know about Cheetahs?

Cheetahs can be found in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. They prefer a fairly open terrain but can be seen in thick bush as well as semi desert type situations.

Cheetahs are 30+ inches tall at the shoulder and they weigh 80 to 140 pounds.

Here are some Cheetah facts and statistics:

• The Cheetah, Acinonyx Jubatus, is the sole member of its genus. Twenty thousand years ago, Cheetahs roamed throughout the savannahs and plains of four continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. About 10,000 years ago - because of climate changes - all but one species of the Cheetah, Jubatus, became extinct.
  
• The name Cheetah comes from an Indian word meaning "spotted one."
  
• The Cheetah, having been clocked at 70 MPH, is the fastest land mammal on earth.
  
• They move over a large area and do not climb very well.
  
• Females are normally found on their own or in a family group.
  
• Males are more commonly found moving around together in groups.
  
• They do not have very will developed jaws and they have small teeth.
  
• Physically they are not strong animals and there has never been an attack recorded on man in the wild.
  
• It is one of the few animals who hardly (if ever) scavenge. Once they have selected an animal to hunt they will not veer away from their choice.
  
• It is said that Cheetah nearly became extinct and re-bred from just two individuals.
  
• Prey normally has to be running away from the Cheetah before it can catch it.
  
• They have a long flat tail with a heavy tip which aids them in changing direction at high speeds.
  
• Cheetahs do not roar like lions, but they purr, hiss, whine and growl. They also make a variety of contact calls,
  the most common is a birdlike chirping sound.
  

View the entire article on Cheetahs

Gift ideas for Cheetah Lovers