THE CHEETAH
(Acinonyx jubatis)
Where they live
Cheetahs are found in many countries of eastern and southern Africa, with large populations in the Etosha region in Namibia and the Serengeti Plains in Tanzania. A remnant population is also found in Iran and Afghanistan.
Hunting
The cheetah is naturally carnivorous, eating a variety of small antelope -- gazelle, springbok, steenbok, and impala; the young of larger animals -- warthog, kudu, hartebeest, oryx. It can even mimic some bird sounds, perhaps to attract them. While most cats are nocturnal hunters, the cheetah is diurnal, hunting in the early morning and late afternoon. The cheetah suffocates its captive, closing its jaws about the animal's windpipe and compressing, sometimes as long as 5 minutes, until death occurs. It eats quickly; if challenged it will most often lose. At 6 weeks the young are strong enough to follow the hunt. When they are about 6 months old the mother will capture live prey for them to practice killing.
