Cheetahs :: essays research papers

For my vertebrate animal I chose the Cheetah. The Cheetahor Acinonyx Jubatus is an peril species. They wereonce found throughout Africa and Asia, but atomic number 18 now unlessscattered throughout Eastern Africa and a teensy-weensy region ofsouthwestern Africa. Cheetahs atomic number 18 threatened by increasingloss of habitat, decline in prey, and increased poaching forfur trade. The Cheetah has a tawny plebeian coat with roundblack spots or tear grade insignia from the corner of the eyesdown to the sides of the nose. They are slender and longlegged, and their claws are non-retractable. They also havesmall heads with high set eyes and small ears. Cheetahsaverage 44 to 53 inches in aloofness, with an additional taillength of 26 to 33 inches. The Cheetahs average weight is86 to 143 pounds. Male Cheetahs are slightly larger thanfemales. The Cheetahs flexible spine, oversized liver, enlarge heart, slender muscular body, and unique clawsmake it the swiftest hunter in Africa, and the quickest animalon land. A Cheetah can reach speeds of up to 60 mph. Inthe grassy plains and dense bush females live alone, get outwhen raising cubs. Males live alone or with a small assembly ofbrothers from the same litter. Cheetahs hunt in late morningand early evening. They angry walk their prey first, until they arewithin 40 to 90 feet before the track begins. Chases lastfrom twenty seconds to one minute, and only about half aresuccessful. If the Cheetah does catch its prey it suffocates itby biting it underneath the throat. because the carcass isdragged of to a safe place to be eaten. Cheetahs prey onanimals such as Gazelles, Wildebeest calves, impala, andother hoofed animals weighing up to 88 pounds. A Cheetahssexual maturity is reached in about 20 to 23 months. Matingcan occur any time of year. maternal quality lasts 91 to 95 days.Litter size can be 1 to 8 cubs, but the average is 3.