H3_W7_001

Date: 2016

Location: Masai Mara, Kenya

Did you know?

Unlike most other big cats such as lions and tigers, cheetahs don’t have the ability to roar. The bones of the cheetah’s voice box are structured the same as that of small cats, which means they actually meow! Although this design allows the cats to purr continuously, it limits the range of other sounds they can make and also prevents them from roaring. Despite not being able to roar, cheetahs can make a variety of different sounds. Researchers have found that male cheetahs have been known to make a “stuttering sound” when trying to impress a female. They will also growl and hiss when feeling threatened and will let out a loud yelp when wanting to signal a warning.

About the picture

This photo of a Cheetah was clicked in Masai Mara in 2016. It was early in the morning and the sun was beginning to come up. Suddenly we saw a Cheetah sit up from between the tall grass and look around for any wandering herds of gazelle that may be headed its way. The angled light shows you just how well the Cheetah blends in with the grasslands of Masai Mara.

Fun Fact

When a Cheetah is running, all of its four limbs are in the air at the same time for more than 50% of the duration of the sprint.