800 cheetahs lurk in Kenya
Cheetahs, along with the African lion and leopards, are one of the “Big Cats” that live in Kenya. Their trademark features are their light brown mottled fur and the black tear line that runs down either side of the face.
Anyone who has ever seen one will always say that they look rather sad, an expression that comes from the appearance of black tears running from the inner corner of each eye. No need to worry though, these aren’t tears, but a special anti-glare mechanism that helps these animals keep their eyes on their prey in the blazing heat of the savannah.
Speed
The Ferrari of the Animal World; Cheetahs are the fastest animals in the world, sleek with great traction control. It can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour over short distances due to its long thin muscular legs, small head, deep chest, flexible tail and long tail.
Lightning
These animals from Kenya received some international publicity recently when Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, adopted a little one and named it “Lightning.”
The champion sprinter from Jamaica was on a four-day trip to Kenya to help German charity Zeitz Foundation launch a new conservation initiative when he met a three-month-old cub and named it after himself. It is unbelievable that one day it will run faster than him.
Family oriented
Cheetahs are solitary animals; they prefer to be alone rather than spend time with others, with the only exception being when the mother is raising her young. They are what every mother should be, patient and protective.
They spend about a year teaching their young the trade of hunting, even having the young practice stalking and chasing live prey. The mother then spends another year and a half with the cubs before they head out into the wild on their own. Males live in small groups of two or three, usually with their litters.
What do cheetahs eat?
Unlike most of their feline relatives, these cats hunt in the early morning or evening, getting as close as possible to their target prey before giving chase. After knocking their prey to the ground, they suffocate it with a bite to the neck. It all happens very quickly, and if they’re lucky enough to be undetected, they’ll drag their catch into a shady hideout.
Feeding must also be done very quickly, as other predators such as African lion, hyenas and vultures are soon on the scene, and do not give up. This cat is timid and will not argue with bullies, but rather walk away and leave them to eat.
So, on the menu there are mouth-watering dishes such as impala, gazelle, pigs, rabbits, jackals and also birds. Cheetahs only need to drink every three to four days, so water is not high on the priority list.
Habitat
Food requirements dictate where you can usually find these cats. Their favorite habitat is the wide open and partially open savannah.
In addition, they need some cover, such as long grass, bushes, and shrubs, to adequately stalk their victims before pouncing. Some of the best places in Kenya with this type of terrain are the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park.
The plot of the Masai Mara film set is a vast land reaching the border with Tanzania and covering 320 square kilometers. The ecosystem of the park attracts a large number of animals, and these cats are attracted to the open grasslands of the park.
Amboseli National Park is much smaller but has some beautiful views, especially of Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. What is of greater interest to the cheetahs, however, is the dry river bed of Lake Amboseli in the western part of the park. Although it sometimes floods during the rainy season, most of the time it provides plenty of open ground suitable for hunting.
If you’re only in Nairobi for a short time and can’t make it to the parks, the Nairobi Safari Walk is a great place to see one of these cats in an almost wild setting. Just walk along the elevated boardwalk through the savanna and keep your eyes open.
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