Cheetahs (Concept)

Cheetahs

CONCEPT

An atypical member of the cat family known for its unique speed.

Overview

A cheetah

Male and female cheetahs are different in a variety of ways. The males for one will almost always group together with the other males in the same litter to form a coalition. Together, the coalition works to capture, maintain, and defend territories. The females, on the other hand, live in what are home ranges that will often cross over into other home ranges. Cubs will join the mother on hunting excursions, which is the only time that the female does not hunt alone.

The cheetah is a carnivore that hunts either early in the morning or in the evening. Their prey includes mammals that do not exceed 88 pounds, such as gazelle and impala. The cheetah relies on its vision for hunting, and its prey is usually stalked withing several dozen feet before the chase breaks out. The chase normally does not last longer than a single minute, because the cheetah will either catch its prey quickly or it will give up soon after it began.

If the cheetah manages to catch up to its victim, it first trips it and then bites the throat to suffocate it. After the cheetah makes the kill, it usually needs to rest, sometimes for up to 30 minutes. This is because their bodies overheat while they are running at high speeds (70 miles per hour).