Cheetahs have been kept as pets for more than five thousand years and can be traced back to ancient Egypt where they were initially used for hunting.. They originated in Africa, but can now be found in other parts of the world such as Central Asia and Iran. Scientifically known as Acinonyx Jubatus, they are the fastest of all land animals. However, they aren’t good at climbing trees like other cats. Their acceleration rate is phenomenal, as they are capable of reaching a speed of seventy miles per hour within three seconds. (That is faster than most super cars.)
The length of the cheetah’s body is between forty-five and fifty-five inches and their weight ranges from ninety to one hundred and forty pounds. They have an elongated body with a small head and narrow waist, which gives them the aerodynamics needed for quick acceleration and high speed. Cheetahs have semi-retractable blunt claws which help them to get a good grip during fast pursuits. The colour of the cheetah’s coarse fur is tan with small black spots which provides it with some camouflage when hunting. Its tail, which is thirty-three inches long, is encircled with five to six black stripes. This long tail helps it take sharp turns because it acts like a rudder. Black lines which start from its eyes and run along the sides of the nose toward the mouth are called tear marks. These lines enable the Cheetah to see long distances and minimize the glare of the sun.
Cheetahs are very easy to train. They are also very caring animals. They make noises such as chirps, yowls, yips, growls and hisses and their purr is very noisy. Unlike other big cats, they do not have the ability to roar. Cheetahs are diurnal, whereas all other wild cats are nocturnal. They are carnivorous animals and mainly hunt for small mammals. Cheetahs usually hunt at dawn and dusk when the air is cooler. They hunt not by smell but by vision. Nearly 50 percent of their attempts to catch prey end in failure as they give up fast. One of the reasons could be the immense heat generated while running, which seriously fatigues them. As a result, they rest for at least half an hour after an intense chase. Cheetahs have the ability to make the sounds of some birds and they use it to lure these birds to within catching distance.
Cheetahs always watch for animals which stray a distance from the herd. They will chase this animal and trip it. After the animal falls, the Cheetah suffocates the animal by biting out its throat because it does not have the strength to break the animal’s neck. For some reason they do not hunt weak or old animals. During high speed chases, Cheetahs use their big nostrils to get enough oxygen. They also have an enlarged heart and lungs which utilize the oxygen to the maximum by increasing the respiratory rate while running.
Cheetahs are now considered an endangered species. Many organizations and laws have been implemented to help save them. One of the reasons for their demise is that they are environmentally sensitive and their natural environment is disappearing.
When held in captivity, they should be provided with a habitat as close to their natural habitat as possible or else they will not survive. Studies have proven that there is a lack of genetic diversity in Cheetahs which are held in captivity. They don’t reproduce regularly like other felines and find it difficult to breed. Also, their life span decreases and their rate of survival is low.
In developed areas, Cheetahs have been killed on a large scale by farmers protecting their cattle. These farmers are now being provided with dogs that can guard the livestock and scare away the wild Cheetah. Poachers have also been hunting the Cheetah for its fur, which has a beautiful pattern.
To obtain a permit to keep Cheetahs as pets is not only a big problem for individual owners, but also for zoos. People who have a passion for Cheetahs and haven’t got permission to own one, can donate generously to preserve the species.
Until next time,
Teia
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