Essay About Vertebrate Animal And Small Region

Cheetahs
Cheetahs
For my vertebrate animal I chose the Cheetah. The Cheetah
or Acinonyx Jubatus is an endangered species. They were
once found throughout Africa and Asia, but are now only
scattered throughout Eastern Africa and a small region of
Southwestern Africa. Cheetahs are threatened by increasing
loss of habitat, decline in prey, and increased poaching for
fur trade. The Cheetah has a tawny coarse coat with round
black spots or “tear stripes” from the corner of the eyes
down to the sides of the nose. They are slender and long
legged, and their claws are non-retractable. They also have
small heads with high set eyes and small ears. Cheetahs
average 44 to 53 inches in length, with an additional tail
length of 26 to 33 inches. The Cheetahs average weight is
86 to 143 pounds. Male Cheetahs are slightly larger than
females. The Cheetahs flexible spine, oversized liver,
enlarged heart, slender muscular body, and unique claws
make it the swiftest hunter in Africa, and the fastest animal
on land. A Cheetah can reach speeds of up to 60 mph. In
the grassy plains and dense bush females live alone, except
when raising cubs. Males live alone or with a small group of
brothers from the same litter. Cheetahs hunt in late morning
and early evening. They stalk their prey first, until they are
within 40 to 90 feet before the chase begins. Chases last