Wildlife: Mammals -
Cheetah 1/3
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Acinonyx Jubatus , Cheetah, Jagluiperd, Jagdleopard.
 Description
The cheetah is a rarely seen predator living within the Kruger National Park.
Since they are few and relatively vulnerable they tend to be very careful to
show themselves. However, one can be fortunate and see them crossing a road or
one can see a cheetah family resting in the shadow of some rocks or a tree. They
are small-headed, long-legged and wasp waisted. The typical head, body legs and
the first two thirds of the tail are covered with black spots, different from
the spots of the leopard, on a buffy background. At times so-called
king-cheetah's are spotted who have stripes instead of spots. The tail is
relatively short and banded with black with a white tip. Their claws are
permanently exposed, unlike other cats. Male specimens reach a length up to 220
centrimeters, females reach lenghts up to 200 centimetres. The weight of males
can reach up to 60 kilogramms, thus being relatively light while females can
reach up to 48 kilogramms.
Habitat
The cheetah requires savannah and open woodland to be able to
use its ability to hunt down prey. They extend into arid areas.
They avoid forests and woodlands with thick undergrowth. Being
predators they are independent of water.
Diet
The cheetah is dependent on the availability of smaller to
medium-sized antelope such as impala, steenbok, springbok,
common duiker and also other smaller mammals such as hares and
ground birds. At times cheetah males will combine and hunt down
a wildebeest and larger antelope such as gemsbok and kudu. In
the Kruger National Park the cheetah has a diet existing 44% out
of impala, 13% out of common duiker and 13% out of steenbok.
Females who are in pregnancy take twice the normal diet.
Life history
Gestation takes up to 95 days. The cheetah female will give
birth to up to six cubs at any given time in the year. The eyes
of the cubs only open after 10 to 12 days. The weaning starts at
8 weeks when cubs accompany their mother for the first time away
from the lair. Permanent teeth only erupt when the cubs are 8 to
9 months old. They only become fully dependent after 18 months,
this dependency on their mother makes the cheetah population a
vulnerable one. In general about 70% die before they reach
adulthood and eventually only 5% lives to see their own
children. In the Kruger National Park however the survival rate
is higher.
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