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Hangin' With Cheetahs

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Cheetahs are Beautiful Big Cats

Because Cheetahs are tameable, they were once owned by kings and princes. In ancient days, they were used during their hunting parties. The cheetah would be blindfolded at the beginning of the hunt. Once the dogs flushed out the prey, the blindfolds were removed and the cheetah were set free to hunt. Thus, they have often been referred to as hunting leopards.

Ownership of a cheetah was a bit of a status symbol for royalty in ancient times. Often in Ancient Egyptian drawings and artwork, you will see a emperor, ruler or king pictured with a cheetah on a leash or in a hunting party. It is believed that Akbar the Great of India kept a stable of 1000 cheetahs

Photo by Sylvestermouse

Cheetahs
A Few Facts about Cheetahs
Listen to a Cheetah Chirp
The Tear Stripe of the Cheetah
Bring Home Your Own Cheetah

Cheetahs are sleek, beautiful animals which are known for being the fastest land animal. They can run up to 70 miles per hour. A cheetah can accelerate from 0 to 64 mph in 3 seconds, therefore he is easily able to out run a gazelle or other prey.

Due to the high infant mortality rate and being hunted themselves, cheetahs are considered vulnerable or threatened on the endangered species list.

Photo by Sylvestermouse

There are less than 13,000 cheetahs left in 25 African countries.

Although there are some zoos who have been successful, Cheetahs are extremely difficult to breed in captivity which will further exacerbate their critical status.

Cheetah Print / Poster by Sylvestermouse

A Few Facts about Cheetahs

Height: 2 ½ to 3 feet

Weight: 110 - 140 lbs.

Life Span: Up to 12 years

Top Running Speed: 70 mph

The name cheetah comes from an Indian word meaning "spotted one."

Nickname: Hunting Leopard

Lives In: Parts of eastern, central and southwestern Africa and a small portion of Iran

Threatened or Vulnerable status on the Endangered Animals list

Cheetah binder by Sylvestermouse

Listen to a Cheetah Chirp

While you may have heard a Cheetah growl or purr, you will not hear a Cheetah roar, simply because it can not roar like other big cats. The cheetah has a one-piece hyoid bone in the throat. A two-piece hyoid bone is required to roar.

Mother cheetahs communicate with their young by chirping. Click here to hear the cheetah chirp. You will be surprised by how much she sounds like a bird. Seriously, if you heard this sound in a grassy area, I doubt you would feel inclined to run away.

Cheetah - Fastest Running Animal: by jjanderson89 | video info

1,083 ratings | 968,640 views

curated content from YouTube

The Tear Stripe of the Cheetah

As you can see in this close up photo, Cheetahs have unique tear stripes from the corner of their eyes and down the side of their nose, just like the tracks of tears.

When I look at this beauty, I can't help but contemplate that tear stripe and feel the moisture of my own tears due to her endangered status.

To lose such beauty in this world, will indeed be a great tragedy.

Photo by Sylvestermouse

Bring Home Your Own Cheetah

Melissa & Doug Plush Cheetah

More Interesting Information about Cheetahs and Other Amazing Animals

A Great Magazine for Children ages 6 - 12

An Excellent Alternative to Animal Fur Coats

Do You Really Think You Could Out Run a Cheetah?

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miaponzo Mar 22, 2012 @ 2:49 am | delete

:) I have always wanted a real one :) Blessed!

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JEMArtistry Mar 4, 2012 @ 1:34 pm | delete

Awesome creatures. Love your photos too. :)

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cleanyoucar Feb 26, 2012 @ 5:13 am | delete

fastest animal on land... very graceful

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Paperclip Feb 25, 2012 @ 9:30 pm | delete

It's so important to educate on the needs of cheetahs and other species in their plight for survival. Good information.