Big Cats for Kids

Cheetah: acinonyx jubatus

The Cheetah is the fastest animal in the world.  It can reach speeds of 70 mph (110kph) when it is chacing antelope for food.  When you look at the picture on the left, you will notice the long slender legs and body, which nature designed for speed. 

Females as with most big cats, nurse the young on their own.  At a few weeks old the cubs already have adult markings. The biggest difference is that they have long hair around the head and down their backs along the spinal column. Cheetas live on the plains areas of central and southern Africa.  In bygone days, the Cheetah was tamed and trained to hunt much like the Greyhound and Afghan hound were.

On the right three juveniles well on the way to adulthood.  The female beind them, keeps an everwatchfull eye.  Sadly the Cheetah population is falling and it has become an endangered species.

...and of course, very young Cheetah cubs are just the cutest.  Let us hope this one survives and grows up to be a beautiful adult Cheetah.   The fastest animal on earth.

On the right is a seldom seen King Cheetah.  It is a normal Cheetah which could be called a ‘freak’.  Due to a genetic twist, the usual small black spots have become large black blotches.  This is a very rare occurence.