Cheetah

Habitat

Open grassland and savannah.

Wild Diet

Impala, springbok, gazelle and other hoofed animals.

Behaviour

The cheetah usually hunts and eats during late morning and early afternoon to avoid competing with other large carnivores. Single cheetahs hunt smaller prey and kill less frequently than groups of cheetahs. Two or more cheetahs can tackle large animals up to the size of zebra or young buffalo, but this is rare.

Breeding

3 - 4 cubs are born after a gestation of 90 - 95 days (3 months). Young cheetahs are dirty white on top and spots emerge before they are 2 months old.

Threats

Hunting and habitat destruction are the main threats to the cheetah.

Conservation

There is a European Endangered species Programme (EEP) for the cheetah and the captive population in zoos is being managed co-operatively world-wide.