Cheetahs in East Africa: Frequently asked questions : Because East Africa is known for the big five animals lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and Rhinos; most people who visit the region are always curious about the other peculiar animals and will always have questions about the animals. For that reason in the following series of articles we shall answer some of the frequently asked questions about the different animals in East Africa.
Today we start with the Cheetah, a peculiar animal found in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in a number of game parks. That include but not limited to: – Kidepo National Park and Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, Serengeti National Park and Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, Maasai Mara National Park, Tsavo National Park and Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
The questions include: –
- Is it easy to sight cheetahs on a game drive?
Yes, if you are in a park that has the cheetahs you will be sure to spot the cheetahs as soon as you reach the part of the park with the cheetahs.
- Which is the best time to spot cheetahs in the park?
Cheetahs like to lounge and move around during the cooler parts of the day, so you will easily spot them during the early morning and the late afternoons.
- Do you pay an extra fee to spot cheetahs?
No, you don’t, spotting cheetahs is included in your fees for the game drive you will have in the park. However, if you have a specific or specialized kind of sighting for the cheetahs. That can be arranged on a special fee.
- Which is the best season to sight the cheetahs?
Any time you visit any of the parks mentioned above you will have a chance to see the cheetahs in the park.
- Is it true that the cheetahs run fast?
Oh yes! Cheetahs are considered the fastest land animals in the world. They run at a speed of up 113 km/h.
- How do Cheetahs look like?
The cheetahs can easily be spotted, they have a distinctive yellowish-brown coat, the coat is covered with black spots that help the cheetahs to blend in with the flora. They are slender bodied with long legs that cover a good amount of ground quickly.
- What do the cheetahs eat?
Cheetahs are carnivores, they eat other small animals like the small zebras, antelopes, impalas, gazelles and others. The cheetahs actually use their speed to chase down their prey who are usually in vulnerable state or rather alone away from the other crowds.
- How many Cheetahs are in East Africa?
The world has about 7,000-10,000 individuals and East Africa has about half of that population.
- Is true the cheetahs have a short life span?
Cheetahs can live up to 20 years in some areas, though most typically live up to 10 – 12 years in the wild. The females give birth to about 2-4 cubs at once and their gestation period goes to up 90 or 100 days. The cubs are born blind but within months they are up and running on their feet.
- Do Cheetahs have any interesting things outside the normal cat facts?
Unlike what is known about cats, the cheetahs are active during the day making them diurnal animals. They are also social animals, playful and always engaging in play-fighting and chasing with each other. They communicate using different vocalizations like chirps, purrs, and growls. Among other things.
These are the most common questions asked about cheetahs, but if you have more you can share them with your tour operator, better yet you can make sometime to visit one of the cheetah parks and see them for themselves.
