<< Previous Next >>

Stalker


Stalker
Photo Information
Copyright: Terry Longley (wideload) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 5 N: 1027] (3737)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-17
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 30 D, Canon EF 70-200 1:2.8 L IS + EF 1.4x II, ISO 200
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): BEST OF: Cheetahs 1, Wildlife Heritage Foundation, UK [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-09-23 10:36
Viewed: 1217
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land. Reaching speeds of over 60 mph, they can easily outrun any animal over short distances.
Subspecies
Africa: A j. fearsoni; A.j. hecki; A.j. jubatus; A.j. soemmeringii.
SW Asia: A.j. venaticus.
Life span
Cheetahs live for 12-14 years in the wild.
Statistics
Body length: 120-150cm, Tail length: 60-80cm, Shoulder height: 50-80cm, Weight: males: 43kg, females: 38kg.
Habitat
Cheetahs are typically found in open areas such as desert and savannah, but they will also make use of scrub, bush and open woodlands.
Diet
The cheetah's main prey includes impala, springbok, gazelles, kob, warthogs, lesser kudu and blackbuck. Male coalitions sometimes take larger prey such as wildebeest. They often lose their kills to lions and hyenas.
Behaviour
Unlike many other cats, the cheetah hunts mainly by day. This is probably to avoid competition from larger nocturnal predators such as lions and hyenas.
A fully grown cheetah can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph and can easily outrun any animal over short distances.
Males in coalitions tend to defend territories, whereas solitary males tend to lead a nomadic lifestyle. Solitary males and females may have ranges as large as 800-1,500 square km, whereas territorial coalitions defend small territories of 12-35 square km. Females avoid each other but they may share overlapping ranges.
They are very vocal and can emit chirps, purrs, hums and yelps. The most striking contact call is a yelp that can carry for up to 2km.

Reproduction
After a gestation of 90-98 days, the female gives birth to 1-5 cubs. Cub mortality is as high as 75 per cent, as they are often killed by other predators, such as lions, leopards, hyenas and even baboons. Cubs leave their mothers after about 18 months, but siblings may remain together for a further few months, or for life in the case of male coalitions.
Conservation status
As a species, cheetahs are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The north west African subspecies (A.j.hecki) is listed by the IUCN as Endangered, and is on CITES: Appendix I. The Asiatic cheetah (A.j.venaticus) is also on Appendix I, but is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
Human encroachment on their habitat and hunting has dramatically reduced their numbers. The cheetah is also under threat from genetic inbreeding due to reduced numbers.

Taken at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation Kent.

Info courtesy BBC Wildlife
BBC WILDLIFE
carper, coasties, Janice has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3071 W: 231 N: 5861] (19714)
  • [2006-09-23 11:44]

Great stalking pose you have captured, Terry.
What a fantastic POV.
I love the intense stare, and the hackles up on his back.
A rare view of this cheetah behavior on photos.
Sharp details and perfect light.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2165 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2006-09-23 13:18]

only two,?
this is a great image Terry, the walk of the cat is realy fantastic, the pov is great composition is very good, very nice job, I realy like it.
gr. jaap

Hi Terry,
Great shot of this Cheetah! Excellent pose of this animal! Very nice POV and DOF. Great action photo. Well done!

Regards,
Joćo

Hi Terry

Wow.... you really captured the mood of the moment here. Love those eyes. Good quality shot. TFS>

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3452 W: 144 N: 5895] (17468)
  • [2006-09-23 16:33]

Great shot Terry. You have certainly captured a great pose here. Well, not really a pose - but great action shot! he's beautiful,
TFS,
Janice

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2082 W: 216 N: 3759] (12474)
  • [2006-09-24 4:24]

Hello Terry

This is as splendid action shot of this very impressive and gracefull animal.
I'm saying action-shot because even if right not he was probably motionless, he was in the middle of a very important action - hunting :)) (or at least so it seems)
Great capture, taken from an excellent POV, wit hvery nice sharp details, good light and well managed exposure.
Very good work!

Bravo and TFS
horia

What a capture. All is perfect.
The animal is beautiful. Its expression too.
Crisp clear with a tiny blur motion on one feet, to show the action better. This is just incredibly good.
Composition is just perfect too.
TFS

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF