North African Cheetah
by Stephen Melia
Title
North African Cheetah
Artist
Stephen Melia
Medium
Photograph - Print
Description
The Northwest African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki), also known as the Senegal cheetah or Saharan cheetah, is a subspecies of cheetah native to Northwest Africa (particularly the central western Sahara desert and the Sahel). It is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, with a total world population estimated to be about 250 mature individuals.The Northwest African cheetah is quite different in appearance from the other African cheetahs. Its coat is shorter and nearly white in color, with spots that fade from black over the spine to light brown on the legs. The face has few or even no spots, and the tear stripes (dark stripes running from the medial canthus of each eye down the side of the muzzle to the corner of the mouth) are often missing. The body shape is basically the same as that of the sub-Saharan cheetah, except that it is somewhat smaller.The main prey of the Northwest African cheetah are antelopes which have adapted to an arid environment, such as the addax, Dorcas gazelle, rhim gazelle, and dama gazelle. It may also take smaller animals such as hares. These cheetahs can subsist without direct access to water, obtaining water indirectly from the blood of their prey.
Uploaded
September 15th, 2017
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Comments (30)
Karen Adams
Wow! What a beautiful creature! Nice capture. It almost seems that he/she is eyeing you up trying to decide if you would be a yummy dinner! . . . . .fv
Debby Pueschel
This is absolutely fantastic! One day at the San Diego Zoo, a caretaker of the cheetah was WALKING this big cat! I was not paying attention as I walked up the sidewalk, then I noticed that all of the people were crossing the road. I looked up and nearly freaked when I saw the 'kitty' and the trainer! Shaking, I took some photos, but nearly died to think I almost walked into this amazing animal! FLTw
Bill And Deb Hayes
Excellent capture with beautiful colors, excellent lighting plus the details and the eyes are tac-sharp. WELL done Baggieoldboy !!! L/F
Sharon Nelson-Bianco
Great capture of the beautiful cheetah. The colors and composition are great. Best regards, Sharon LF
Deb Halloran
Hi Stephen, What an incredible capture of this gorgeous cheetah. Fantastic eye contact .... very intense and so beautiful. Nicely done. v/f
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