Tag: whiskers

Snarl

Like normal cheetahs, king cheetahs also have tall and slim bodies. Although they look similar, the king cheetah has a fur pattern mutation (caused by lack of genetic diversity) which results in its large connected black patches – differing from the smaller and more plentiful spots found on the common cheetah. Communicates mainly through high- pitched chirping calls, marking territory through urine or saliva (through cheek rubbing). Female cheetahs are solitary, unless when raising young where mothers usually stay close together, otherwise they only come into contact with other cheetahs when mating. Males will, however, form coalitions (mostly between brothers) of about 2-3 to defend more territory. They are not territorial towards each other but are towards other male coalitions. Cheetahs prefer to live in open grassland and savanna-type regions. This habitat type accommodates their way of hunting, which is running to capture prey. Cheetahs’ claws do not retract and remain exposed. Their claws protract with every step in order to assist with grip. The ridges on the pads allow efficient movement by preventing slipping. They have digitigrade foot posture, where the heel and instep are raised so that only the digits touch the ground.
Info source: https://hesc.co.za/species-hesc/king-cheetah/
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The photo was taken during November 2017 at Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, De Wildt, Gauteng, South Africa.

Snarl

Picture of the day, Wildlife

Majestic

Ancient cultures in Africa revered the giraffe, as some modern cultures do today and commonly depicted it in prehistoric rock and cave paintings. Unknown outside of Africa, early written records described the giraffe as “magnificent in appearance, bizarre in form, unique in gait, colossal in height and inoffensive in character.” The giraffe’s high shoulders and sloping back give the impression that its front legs are much longer than the hind legs, but they are in fact only slightly longer. The giraffe has a distinctive walking gait, moving both legs on one side forward at the same time. At a gallop, however, the gait changes, and the giraffe simultaneously swings the hind legs ahead of and outside the front legs, reaching speeds of 35 miles an hour. Its heavy head moves forward with each powerful stride, then swings back to stay balanced. Giraffes have “horns”; not true horns but knobs covered with skin and hair above the eyes to protect the head from blows.
Info source: https://www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/wildlife_giraffe.php
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The photo was taken during February 2018 at Mabula Private Game Reserve, Rooiberg, Bela-Bela, Limpopo, South Africa.

Majestic

Picture of the day, Wildlife

Poser

As its name would indicate, the waterbuck inhabits areas that are close to the water in savanna grasslands, gallery forests, and riverine woodlands south of the Sahara. Such habitats not only provide sustenance but long grasses and watery places in which to hide from predators. These antelopes are large, robust animals; males are generally about 25 % larger than the females. They have large, rounded ears and white patches above the eyes, around the nose and mouth, and on the throat. Only the males have horns, which are prominently ringed and as long as 100 centimetres (40 inches). The horns are widely spaced and curve gracefully back and up. They are sometimes used with lethal results when males fight one another over territories. They have a shaggy brown­-gray coat that emits a smelly, oily secretion thought to be for waterproofing.
Info source: https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/waterbuck
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The photo was taken during May 2018 in Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Poser

Picture of the day, Wildlife