Characteristic features A typical characteristic feature of these elegant animals are the black eye-lines, which reach from the inner sides of the eyes to the mouth. The colour of the fur is yellow-brownish with black dots. The weight differs between 35-75kg.
Special characteristics The cheetah is the fastest mammal on earth. Due to his flexible spine he can reach a speed up to 110 km/h and with one single jump a distance of 6-8m can be obtained. His non-retractable claws provide him with a perfect hunting procedure when a prey tries to escape in a zig-zac path. During high-speed hunting the cheetah is not capable to avoid bushes and branches and obtains very susceptible eye-injuries. Hunting in wildlife with such severe injuries is impossible and will course a definite death of the cheetah.
Hunting The highest speed of the cheetah can be maximal kept for a distance of 400 m. After a successful hunt other predators often take the killed prey from the cheetah, which is too exhausted to defend it.
Food
His menu consists of hares, gazelles, antelopes and birds. The water demand is very low, because the sufficient fluid can be provided by the meat intake.
Enemies 90% of all cheetahs are being killed in the first three month of their lifes by hyenas, lions, leopards and birds of prey.
Life expectancy Life expectancy in captivity can reach up to 15-20 years, in wildlife obviously much lower.
