Cheetah

The adult cheetah is covered with small, round or oval spots, scattered singly over most of its body, only the throat and abdomen are unmarked. These solid black spots measure two to three centimetres in diameter. The spot pattern, plus the ring pattern on the tail are unique to each cheetah making each animal distinctive. The spots on the tail merge to form four to six black rings. The tip of the tail is usually a bushy white tuft. The base coat of fur is a pale buff to a yellowish-tawny colour. They have paler to white coloured throats and abdomens. The fur on the back of the neck forms a ridge which is more prominent in the male, and in cubs. This thicker wiry hair extends over the head, neck and back forming a slight mane. The spots themselves have a longer, softer fur. Cheetahs have long legs, a small head and ears, a long tail and a lean body. The eyes are set high, and black “tear marks” run from the inside corner of each eye, alongside the nose to the mouth. The pupil of the eye is round. They have non-retractile claws and hard pads. Adult males are larger than the females. Adults: Head and body: 112 - 135 cm Tail: 66 - 84 cm Shoulder height: 70 - 90 cm Weight: 35 - 65 kg

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