What Is The Cheetah Habitat Is A Natural Question

Cheetah is a member of the cat family. It is known for its speed, hence it is also known as the fastest land animal and can reach speeds of 112 to 120 kilometers per hour. It is also known to accelerate from 0 to 103 kilometers per hour in as short as 3 seconds. Do you realize it is much faster than the most of the fastest cars? With all their speeding abilities, it lacks climbing abilities. The name 'cheetah' is derived from a Sanskrit word, which means 'variegated body'. The name cheetah actually came into use through Hindi. The name given to the cheetah is appropriate, as cheetah in Hindi does mean the spotted one. Since they are known to have high bursts of speed, what is the cheetah habitat is a natural question, so that they are able to use their speeding abilities.

Cheetah Habitat Information

Previously the cheetahs were more widespread. One of the cheetah habitat facts, is that they inhabited as far as extreme east India and as north as Southern Kazakhstan. Ancient time fossils of cheetah have also been discovered from China. However with the depleting forest reserve and also with the declining number of these cats, cheetah habitats are indeed dwindling fast.

Today the cheetahs are almost limited to the sub-Saharan Africa. These animals are now mainly found in eastern Africa, around the border between southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They can also be seen in southern Africa, primarily in northern Namibia, Botswana and western Zambia. It is not that these cats are found in Africa. The largest population of cheetahs, estimated to be at 3000 is said to be in southern and eastern Africa in Namibia. Although in very small numbers, these cats can also be found in northeastern Iran and Northwest Afghanistan. Along with Iran and Afghanistan, they can also be found in northern India. The cheetahs found in India are also known as Asiatic cheetah.

To give a more specific answer to your query, about where do cheetahs live, is that they prefer to live in semi-desert areas, in the savannas, prairies, open woodlands and thick bush areas. Since they rely on their speed to hunt, and do not have good climbing abilities, they avoid dense forest areas. They can also be found in the plains. The cheetahs are known to make good use of elevation, such as termite mounds, etc, which dot the landscape and gain a good view of its territory and a potential good meal. You can plan to take a safari and visit the Namib and Kalahari deserts and to be more precise Masai Mara and Serengeti Parks to spot a cheetah.

The African population of the cheetahs is also threatened and is depleting, because of loss of habitat, which has resulted in decline in prey, poaching for various parts to be sold in the international market. And not to forget, that the cheetahs have been shot down as they become livestock predator, when they visit human settlements in search of food. Different conservation measures are being taken to avoid the cheetah from becoming an entry in the endangered species list. The mortality rate during the first three months after birth is as high as 90%, in spite of the precautions taken by the mother. The mother shifts the cubs to different locations every few days to keep them away from their predators such as a lion, hyena or leopard. Who are often able to sniff the cubs out, when the mother cheetah is out hunting for her meal. One of the cheetah facts is, that if the average is to be considered, less than one third of the cubs survive to become adults. In other words, if we are to see these animals in the future as well, apart from the care about the habitat and protect them from poaching, care will also have to be taken, to lower the mortality rate.

Now that you know, where do cheetahs live, are you planning to take an African safari and see these beautiful creatures with your eyes. It will certainly make for a dream come true, to watch a cheetah in action in its own habitat.