The Race Car of Cats!

My favorite animal is... you guessed it, the Cheetah! They have been since I was a child. I used to write reports and make posters with pictures I cut out of National Geographic about Cheetahs. I did this purely for myself. They were not even for an assignment. Here are some of the things I have learned about these gorgeous cats in my life.

Cheetahs are some of the most beautiful cats that roam the Savannas. The fastest of big cats, they race through the tall grasses like bullets. They are born athletes, built for the chase. However, the cats and their homes are in grave danger of extinction and destruction. Cheetahs live in Sub-Saharan Africa. While they used to roam other parts of the world, their numbers are now declining. Female Cheetahs often have three cubs at a time who will stay with her for the first twelve to eighteen months of their lives. The male Cheetahs will often live together while the females will separate off on their own. Unlike some of the other big cats Cheetahs do not roar but they are quite vocal. Cheetahs are built to run and have characteristics which make them the fastest cat. They hide in the grass, camouflaged, awaiting their prey. When the time is right they dart after the prey, knock it down and suffocate it with a death bite to the neck. Unfortunately, these magnificent cats face extinction due to hunting, bottle-necking, and their habitat being destroyed.

Cheetahs are extremely beautiful cats whose bodies are built for speed. They are long, thin and lanky which makes them excellent sprinters. Their bodies are specifically designed to race quickly for brief distances. This assists them in catching prey that many other wild cats are unable to (Mammals: Cheetahs). The Cheetah’s build is more similar to that of a greyhound rather than typical cats. They have small heads perched on top of their athletic bodies. Black spots decorate their golden yellow coats as well as their tales which are long and often have rings of black on them. Black tear marks run down from their eyes to the corners of their mouth. These are thought to be a natural protection from the glare of the sun, much as a football player would do.

Unfortunately, every time I go to the Zoo the cheetahs are always sleeping or hiding in the grass. I can't imagine how amazing it would be to see one in action!