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![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3817 W: 505 N: 8098]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (27718) | Just as we were leaving the Cheetah enclosure, this beautiful beast shot up the tree and settled in to watch the Bison in a neighbouring enclosure. Taken at Orana Wildlife Park Christchurch. Please see workshop for another view. Thanks for looking.
Cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus)
Length: Head and body-4.3-4.9 ft - Tail-2 to 2.5 ft.
Shoulder Height: 2.3-2.8 ft
Weight: 75-150 lbs.
Habit: Female solitary; male lives in small groups
Diet: Gazelles and other antelope; also hares, rodents, gamebirds and sometimes larger prey such as the zebra.
Lifespan: Up to 12 years in the wild, longer in captivity
cheetah is the world's fastest land animal and the most unique and specialized member of the cat family. It can reach speeds of 70 mph. Unlike other cats, the cheetah has a leaner body, longer legs, and has been referred to as the “greyhound” of the cats. It is not an aggressive animal, using flight versus fight. With its weak jaws and small teeth, the price it paid for speed, it cannot fight larger predators to protect it's kills or young.
The cheetah is often mistaken for a leopard. It's distinguishing marks are the long tear-drop shaped lines on each side of the nose from the corner of it's eyes to it's mouth. The cheetah’s coat is tan, or buff colored, with black spots measuring from ¾ to 1 ¼ inches across. There are no spots on it's white belly, and the tail has spots which merge to form four to six dark rings at the end.
The tail usually ends in a bushy white tuft. Male cheetahs are slightly larger than females and have a slightly bigger head, but it is difficult to tell males and females apart by appearance alone. The cheetah is a vulnerable species. Out of all the big cats, it is the least able to adapt to new environments. They have always proved difficult to breed in captivity, but recently a few zoos have been successful. Once widely shot for its fur, the cheetah now suffers more from the loss of both habitat and prey.
The above obtained from http://www.indianchild.com/cheetah.htm
IMAGE INFORMATION
Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 3:33 p.m.
Date: 15th July 2006
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/30
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 100
Support: Hand Held
Original file type: Digital Raw |
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