Page 80 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

78  WILD SOUTH AFRIC A

Cats Family
South Africa’s seven felid
Secretive and solitary, cats belong to the family Felidae and species are traditionally
are the most stealthy and efficient killers among carnivores. split between three genera:
Also the most strictly carnivorous, they feed exclusively on Felis, with small- to medium-
other warm-blooded creatures, from sparrows and mice sized cats; Panthera, with
big cats distinguished by
to buffaloes and giraffes. Although they differ greatly in a larynx modification
coloration and size, all cats have a similar body plan to their that enables them to roar;
familiar domestic counterpart, with an elongated body, and Acinonyx, with the
long tail, small head, sensitive whiskers, prominent canine cheetah – the only felid
with non-retractable claws.
teeth and keen, bifocal vision. Much wild felid behaviour will
be familiar to the average cat owner.
Cheetah
Species: Acinonyx jubatus • Best Seen: Phinda, Kruger (central region), Sabi Sands
VU
This large spotted felid is the greyhound of the African bush, with a streamlined build, small head and
unique non-retractable claws tailored to its specialist pursuit of sprinting. The world’s fastest runner, it is
capable of accelerating from standstill to a speed of 115 kmph (72 mph) in 4 seconds. Where most
feline predators combine hunting with scavenging, the cheetah feeds exclusively on fresh meat. It is
also unusual in that it hunts by day as well as at dusk, creeping to within 15–30 m (50–100 ft) of its prey
before opening chase and, if successful, knocking down and suffocating its victim. Less solitary than
most cats, the cheetah is often seen in pairs or small groups – either male coalitions of up to three
brothers, or a female with cubs. In common with other cats, a cheetah will purr
when content and growl, hiss and yelp when threatened or annoyed. Unlike
the true big cats, it cannot roar. Instead, its most common vocalization, often
made by a mother looking for her cubs, is a high-pitched, bird-like twitter
known as “yipping”. The cheetah has a restless temper ament, and is often seen
trotting determinedly through the grass, breaking step only to climb on a tree
trunk or termite mound that presents itself as a lookout post. Once widespread
in Asia, Arabia and Africa, it has suffered a massive range-
retraction in recent times, and is now practically restricted
to sub-Saharan Africa.

IUCN status VU: Vulnerable; LC: Least Concern

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