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Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal reaching reported speeds of 100km per hour. Some believe that in most instances the top speed is only about 80km or 50mph. In any case, they are very fast for short distances. Unlike other cats, their claws do not retract. They are terrestrial and use sloping trees or mounds as observation posts. They have even been known to jump on a car for this purpose.. The cheetah is a solitary and diurnal (active in the day time) animal. When seen in groups, it is generally brothers or a pair mating. Of the top 5 predators in Africa, the cheetah is at the bottom. They must give way for Lions, Hyeana, Wild Dogs and Leopards. This is why they tend to consume their prey rapidly. If not they may well loose it to one of the other predators. As they are not the worlds best climbers they do not have the ability to take large game up a tree. (See Leopards) The majority of photos in this section were taken in Etosha and Kruger. Some of the more recent were takne in the Kalahari AKA Kgalagadi.
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They are in many ways the most beautiful of the cats. I love the eyes.
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They are in many ways the most beautiful of the cats. I love the eyes.

cheetahsouth africakruger park

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  • This cheetah has just crossed the road about 30 ft. in fromt of our vehicle and then looked back at us. The eyes tell it all.
  • This cheetah is just off the road. Note the elegant lines. The head though is small and if you look closely at some of the later photos, in this gallery, you will note the small teeth.
  • This shot was taken at about 300 yards. Teh cat is lying on top of a termite mound.Sherry saw the animal or we would have missed it.
  • Full body shot of cheetah looking to the rear
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  • Cheetah on termite mound.
  • Cheetah on termite mound taken with 600mm lens. It brings them in close.
  • This cat is using a small termite mound to gain elevation. We noticed that they keep a 360 degree watch. Looking for both prey and predators. They are often attacked by larger cats. They also sometimes loose their meals to lions and Hyena.
  • A very handsome cat.
  • Always vigilant. We've been told that The spots on all cheetah are different. Point of fact, Kruger is in the process of attempting a census of Cheetah in the park, and photos from tourists are being used to assist.
  • They are in many ways the most beautiful of the cats. I love the eyes.
  • This photo was taken at about 100 yards, as the cat moved toward the road. His front paws are on a small termite mound.
  • Always looking around
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