What looks like a cat has the temperament of a dog, enchanted by the ancient Egyptians and can operate at a speed of over 70 mph? The answer is the cheetah, one of the greatest eaters of raw flesh, but also a species whose existence is threatened.
The cheetah is unclear how a cat. Sounds like a cat and a family member is considered the cat, but it is different from cats in many ways. Can not withdraw its claws, even if the cheetahs, kittens do, untilabout ten weeks old. Specialised for speedy running down of prey, it cannot climb trees, as its relative the leopard can. Unlike the lion and other big cats, it cannot roar, but like domestic cats, purrs when contented. Though it looks like a leopard, its closest cat relatives are the puma and cougar. It is one of relatively few animals that are the sole member of its genus and species (Acinonyx jubatus).
Whereas the other big cats are hard or near impossible to tame, and never entirely reliable, cheetahs are peaceful by nature and have been maintained as a hunting and companion animals for thousands of years. They were emblems of the Egyptian pharaohs in history, when Emperor Haile Selassie in Ethiopia neighbors have a pet cheetah decades only.
Cheetahs were once widespread in Africa and Asia, and have also been found in North America and Europe. Today less than 15 000 people remain, especially in Africa, even if they survived in a lower number in Iran. Asoften, their decline is due to loss of habitat and slaughter. With the pressure on habitats, but few defenses against predators different speeds, they are vulnerable to other predators. The Cheetah Conservation Fund estimates that up to 90% of cheetahs child does not survive because of looting. Fur good cheetahs' is appreciated for a long time and has no lethal threat to many cattle a cheetah sealed his fate. Fortunately, with protection education, awareness and legal, theSecurity is greatly improved.
Another important factor in the decline of the cheetah's biology and the genome. At some point in the cheetah numbers deep past seem to decrease, can occur at intersections. The size of the gene pool is very small today, with all the essential cheetahs are genetically similar. Low birth rates and mortality rates make the problem worse. Some zoologists believe that the problem is so severe that the species is no longer viable. Genetic uniformity alsocould make the species more susceptible to disease and can not affect humans. Breeding programs to ensure that non-related individuals mate, to avoid worsening the situation.
The Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, one of the most popular groups to save the cheetah is involved. He studied cheetahs, who still live wild, running educational programs and research and campaigns around the world to the cheetah. Almost all the captive cheetahs come from Namibia bloodlines. Even if the future ofthe cheetah is not rosy, we can be thankful for their existence. Creatures such as the cheetah cute remind us how easy it is to lose an animal precious and beautiful forever.
