Cheetahs
There is currently a male Cheetah (Murphy) at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Sadly the always popular Pepo, another male, died last year and Mephisto died in early 2011.
The fastest land mammal the cheetah can reach speeds of 70 mph for short distances, after just three massive strides they can be powering along at 40 mph, in around 300 metres they are totally spent and may take 30 minutes to recover. At 40mph only one foot touches the ground at a time and in its seven to eight metre stride there are two points at which it has no feet touching the ground.
They rely on burst of speed to catch swift prey like gazelles, wildebeest calves, impalas and smaller hoofed animals. They must eat quickly to avoid losing their kill to other predators, especially lions and leopards.
Unlike all other cats cheetahs claws are permanently extended.
The fastest land mammal the cheetah can reach speeds of 70 mph for short distances, after just three massive strides they can be powering along at 40 mph, in around 300 metres they are totally spent and may take 30 minutes to recover. At 40mph only one foot touches the ground at a time and in its seven to eight metre stride there are two points at which it has no feet touching the ground.
They rely on burst of speed to catch swift prey like gazelles, wildebeest calves, impalas and smaller hoofed animals. They must eat quickly to avoid losing their kill to other predators, especially lions and leopards.
Unlike all other cats cheetahs claws are permanently extended.
Use the arrows to scroll through the images.
