Animal: Cheetah.
Scientific name: Acinonyx Jubatus.
Region: Mostly found in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Commonly referred to as the fastest land animal, the cheetah is one of a kind. Its fast speed(estimates range from 80 to 128 km/h) and ingenious hunting skills are just one of the many characteristics of this extraordinary animal.
So, how does it adapt to its environment?
Adaptation:
Light streamlined body:
This makes the cheetah well-suited to sudden bursts of speed and acceleration. Its streamlined body also gives it the ability to execute sudden changes while running at high speeds.
Vision:
This remarkable animal's vision is quite helpful.
Cheetahs have a visual streak which sharpens their vision;they use this vision to locate prey and predators.
Heart and lungs:
Cheetahs have enlarged heart and lungs and large nasal passages that ensure high oxygen intake when running. This adaptation also allows them to regain their stamina after a chase.
Paws:
Cheetahs have slightly curved claws that are partly retractable. These claws are mostly blunt. To cover this disadvantage, cheetahs make use of their sharp and strongly curved declaws(found in their forelegs) in hunting and tripping their prey.
Also, when in pursuit, the cheetah’s semi-retractable claws increase their grip thus making the sprint easier in tough terrains.
Tail:
A cheetah has a rudder-like tail that acts as a counterbalance for sharp turns which enables them to outflank antelopes that change direction to escape during a chase.
Legs:
A cheetah’s limbs are longer and leaner than most cats. They also have large thigh muscles which reduce the risk of losing balance when running. The down side is that their ability to climb is compromised.
Their legs’ adaptability also increases their stride length and aids endurance.
Did you know? A cheetah, like a horse, can lift all its four feet off the ground. This increases their stride length to an average 4 to 7 meters (13 to 23 feet) but can increase with speed.
Mouth:
The cheetah has sharp and narrow carnassials suggesting that they can consume a larger food amount in a short period of time. They also have small and flat canines which are used to suffocate their prey.
Also, unlike other cats, a cheetah’s canines have no gap behind them when the jaws close whereas the top and bottom cheek teeth show extensive overlap; this enables their upper and lower teeth to tear through their prey’s meat.
Did you know? A cheetah is unable to roar like other cats due to a sharp-edged vocal fold within their larynx.
With World Cheetah Day approaching, I thought I’d give you some information to get you prepared for that special day. Click here to see the source.
Cheetahs are on the rate of decline and were recently declared vulnerable by the IUCN. Numerous ways have been tried (some cheetahs work as ambassador cheetahs) to bring back the diminishing species but nothing will work if people don’t care. We can’t help if we don’t know that the cheetah needs help.
Spread the awareness to all your family and friends as we approach World Cheetah Day so that everyone can help save the cheetahs!
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