Types of cheetas and cheetahs

A cheetah is also known as a cheetah. There is only one species of cheetah, but there are slight differences between cheetas. Therefore, a cheetah does not have different species, but rather different subspecies. The differences between cheetas are mainly external differences related to the cheetah's habitat. For example, the cheetah that lives in the Sahara has a lighter coat and thus has better camouflage in its habitat. Four subspecies live in Africa and one subspecies lives in Asia.

In the Safari Park you will find southern cheetas.

Cheetas in Beekse Bergen

In Safaripark Beekse Bergen you will find a large group of cheetas. You will find them along the walking safari, but you can also spot them from the safari bus or your own car! The Safaripark is a studbook keeper of the cheetah. This means that the European breeding program (EEP) for cheetas is coordinated from Beekse Bergen. For example, the Safaripark is allowed to determine for all cheetas in Europe which ones are allowed to get together to have young and they can give advice on which cheetas should move to other zoos. Safaripark Beekse Bergen is, besides being a studbook keeper of cheetas, also proud coordinator of the EEPs of the broad-lipped rhinoceros.

Where can you find the cheetas in Beekse Bergen?

What kind of sound does a cheetah make?

Cheetas are felines. Because of this, they make different sounds similar to those of a domestic cat. For example, a cheetah can purr and meow. They also make a kind of chirping sound. A cheetah, unlike other feline predators, cannot roar and growl. This is because they lack a bone in their throat that can produce that sound.

What does a cheetah eat?

A cheetah is a carnivore. As such, it eats meat. Often a cheetah hunts small and medium-sized antelope, such as gazelles, impalas and springboks. Sometimes it also eats smaller animals, such as birds, hares and other small mammals. Once it catches prey, it must eat it quickly. This is because there is a good chance that other large predators, such as lions and hyenas, will try to snatch the prey. A cheetah is no match for these larger and heavier predators and will therefore have difficulty winning this fight.

How old does a cheetah become?

Cheetas live between six and eight years in the wild. In zoos, animals reach an average age of between ten and sixteen years.

How much does a cheetah weigh?

A cheetah weighs between 35 and 55 pounds. On average, it weighs 50 kilograms. This low weight is very useful during hunting, as it makes it a lot faster than other animals.

Is a cheetah dangerous?

A cheetah is a predator and an excellent hunter. This makes him dangerous and when he feels threatened or attacked, he will be able to strike unexpectedly. The cheetah is a true carnivore. A human is not part of its diet, so it is not likely to attack humans. The cheetah mainly eats small to medium-sized prey.

In the past, the cheetah was kept as a pet by kings. These kings kept the cheetas on a leash so they could protect them from danger and keeping such an animal exuded high status. The animals were also used for hunting.

How does a cheetah hunt?

Cheetas often hunt during the day. They do this early in the morning or early in the evening. From a high perch, it first watches its surroundings. Unlike other felines, the cheetah does not stalk its prey until it is close enough to jump on it. Once he has found his prey, he stalks it to about seventy to 100 meters and then sets off in pursuit. He then actually becomes a kind of rocket shot! He sprints toward his prey and tries to knock its hind legs away, causing the animal to stumble and fall. The cheetah kills its prey by suffocation. When he has killed his prey, he drags it to a hiding place. Here he can eat safely without lions or hyenas trying to take away his prey. These sprints cost the cheetah a lot of energy. He must therefore rest well after hunting before he can hunt again.

In the following Ranger Request ranger Floor takes you to the cheetas. In this video you will hear why cheetas have dots on their fur and how they use this for hunting.

Is the cheetah an endangered species?

The cheetah is a vulnerable species. It is threatened by the disappearance of its habitat and by hunting. Cheetas are hunted for their fur and trade. In addition, other large predators threaten young cheetas.

The role of zoos is to preserve and protect of endangered species. European parks work closely together to achieve this goal and do so with an management program (EEP). The cheetah is also part of this. In this way, a healthy reserve population is maintained. Find out more about species conservation and our role here here.

Conservation

Not only cheetahs, but many of the animal species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.

Wildlife Foundation

Stichting Wildlife supports SPOTS Foundation and Cheetah Conservation Botswana, helping to protect cheetahs in the wild. This is done for example through research on the species, education to the local population and assistance to farmers for example. In this way, livestock is protected without injuring the cheetah. Want to know more about the Wildlife Foundation? Then click here.

Reproduction of a cheetah and their cubs

Males and females come together only to mate. The gestation period of a cheetah is three months. On average, one to six cubs are born. When the cubs are born, they are still blind and helpless. During this time, the mother hides her cubs in a shelter and often moves the cubs to other shelters. In this way, predators have a harder time finding the cubs. Within two weeks, the cubs' eyes open. When they are between three and six weeks old, the milk teeth appear. Like us, they change these teeth. This happens when they are about eight months old. Cheetahs are the only felines that cannot retract their nails! The young can still retract their nails until they are fourteen weeks old. Cubs are independent after about fifteen to seventeen months and then leave the mother.

How fast is a cheetah?

The cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world. It reaches a top speed averaging 100 km per hour. In about three seconds, it can reach a speed of eighty kilometers per hour! However, it only maintains its top speed for about 30 seconds. It is not often that a cheetah runs so fast. It takes a lot of energy. A cheetah reaches these speeds because of the construction of its body. This is because it does not weigh much and its joints are flexible. Because of its long legs and the tilting of its hips and shoulder blades, the cheetah can make extra-large jumps. Because he cannot retract his nails, they serve as a grip during the zigzagging chase. They are actually kind of like the studs we have under our soccer shoes!