The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on cheetah conservation.
Cheetahs are amongst the most incredible animals on earth. Built for great speed, Cheetahs are specialists when it comes to hunting fast, agile prey animals in broad daylight. Capable of reaching from zero to hundred kilometers an hour within a matter of seconds, these cats have evolved into developing a sleek and slender physique that aids them in their highly specialized lifestyle. Whilst a long and thin body enables Cheetahs to be fast and athletic, this also means that they are lighter and weaker when it comes to conflicts with other large predators of Africa, including lions, hyenas and leopards. The bigger animals waste no opportunity to steal a Cheetah's kill or kill its cubs.
Cheetahs face other threats too. The most significant ones in the last few decades have been conflicts with human and loss of habitat. As human population and development increases in Africa, Cheetahs are finding it increasingly difficult to survive and take down their normal prey animals. As a result, they often go after herds of cattle owned by farmers. This brings them into conflict with people who at times shoot the big cats in retaliation.
Then there is the problem of limited genetic diversity in Cheetahs. Cheetahs have evolved from a relatively restricted gene pool and face multiple biological threats owing to this. They are susceptible to diseases and genetic defects and infant mortality is high. As a result Cheetahs are the most endangered of the three big cats in Africa.
There are a handful of Asiatic Cheetahs in Iran too and research is being conducted to preserve them in their natural habitat. It remains to be soon, though if the successful efforts of Cheetah Conservation Fund can be replicated to help save the beautiful cats there. The need above all is to better educate the natives, in parts where Cheetahs coexist with humans around the world.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
Is Raw Cat Food Safe?
By: Madeleine Innocent | 26/12/2009Is raw cat food safe? Will it harm your cat? Is there a danger of your cat getting salmonella? What about toxoplasmosis? If your cat has toxoplasmosis, can you catch it from her? There seems to be so much conflicting advice about, it can be very confusing to work out a nutritional, but also safe cat food.
Cat Food - the Best, the Healthiest, the Most Nutritious
By: Madeleine Innocent | 26/12/2009Just like your own diet, it’s time to take control of the diet of your cat. Good quality cat food can never, by definition, be found in a can, a packet or a box. While it may be convenient for you, this diet will never contribute to a healthy, happy cat. What you gain on the swings, you lose on the roundabout, with increased cost of professional therapist fees as the health of your cat deteriorates. Good quality cat food can only come from lovingly preparing a meal from the freshest ingredients.
Caring for a Sick Cat
By: Madeleine Innocent | 26/12/2009Caring for a sick cat is as important as caring for a sick family member. But it’s good to stop and think for a minute to try to work out the possible cause of her illness. This can easily be done by a process of elimination. Caring for a sick cat could also be the turning point of your life.
What is the Best Kitten Care for Lasting Health?
By: Madeleine Innocent | 26/12/2009Kitten care is a bit like building the foundation of a house. You can get it very wrong, so creating a house (or cat) that will not have a long or healthy life. Or you can get it so right that the house (and the cat) DOES live a long and healthy life. Good kitten care is essential to long lasting health. Strong bones, healthy tissue, good immune system are just some of the perks your cat can expect if well cared for as a kitten. This translates as fewer trips to the vet for you.
The Best Cat Food for the Healthiest Cat
By: Madeleine Innocent | 26/12/2009Cat lovers around the world want to provide their precious pet with the best cat food they can afford. Perhaps even the best cat food they can’t afford. But what is the best cat food money can buy? Commercial pet foods promise you ‘natural’, ‘healthy’, scientifically proved’, ‘recommended by top vets’, even ‘organic’ but this is all a ploy to convince you to buy their products. Most couldn’t stand up to their claims.
Best Cat Food - How to Make It Yourself
By: Madeleine Innocent | 26/12/2009Searching for the best cat food can be daunting with all the promises make by commercial pet food manufacturers. Who do you believe? Is your vet the ideal person to advise about the best cat food? Does ‘science based’ food make the best cat food? Perhaps you should be looking elsewhere to solve the mystery...
Alternative Medicine for Cats
By: Madeleine Innocent | 26/12/2009Alternative medicine for cats is not only highly effective, it is also considerably more cost effective than mainstream veterinary care. And it also allows you to do a bit of home prescribing yourself, for minor issues. This can be tremendously empowering.
Some Information Regarding Snow Leopards
By: Omer Ashraf | 18/11/2008 | PetsSnow Leopards are beautiful wild cats that reside in mountains of South and Central Asia. Here are some facts about them.
Information Regarding Farming of Tigers
By: Omer Ashraf | 18/11/2008 | PetsTiger Farming is the practice of breeding tigers for slaughter. It is a cruel practice that is rampant in certain parts of the world.
Some Information About the Lynx
By: Omer Ashraf | 18/11/2008 | PetsLynx are beautiful cats of the northern hemisphere. Following are some facts about them.
Some Information Regarding Bobcats
By: Omer Ashraf | 18/11/2008 | PetsBobcats are incredible hunters. Here are some facts about them.
The Lions of the Desert
By: Omer Ashraf | 18/11/2008 | PetsThe lions that live in deserts have a unique style of living. They are different from all other carnivores.
Cheetahs and Their Preservation
By: Omer Ashraf | 18/11/2008 | PetsCheetahs are incredible predators. They face several threats in nature and need to be preserved.
Predation Upon Large Herbivores by Lions
By: Omer Ashraf | 18/11/2008 | PetsPredation upon large animals by lions is an important ecological issue in certain parts of Africa. It requires greater understanding.
Some Facts About Mountain Lions
By: Omer Ashraf | 29/08/2008 | PetsMountain Lions are skilled predators and adaptable creatures. Here are some facts regarding these fascinating creatures.