Animals Alphabet C E-Book

Murray Liam

• Herausgeber: Liam Murray
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Cheetah Classification and Evolution
The Cheetah is a large and powerful feline that was once found throughout Africa and Asia and even in parts of Europe. Today however, it is found in only a few remote regions of its once vast natural range, primarily due to growing Human settlements and the hunting of them for their fur. There are widely considered to be five different subspecies of Cheetah that vary only very slightly in colouration and are most easily distinguished by their geographic location. Although they are not considered to be part of the ‘big cat’ family as they cannot roar, Cheetahs are one of Africa‘s most powerful predators and are most renowned for their immense speed when in a chase. Capable of reaching speeds of more than 60mph for short periods of time, the Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world.

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Animals Alphabet “C”

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus





The fastest land mammal in the world!



Cheetah Classification and Evolution

The Cheetah is a large and powerful feline that was once found throughout Africa and Asia and even in parts of Europe. Today however, it is found in only a few remote regions of its once vast natural range, primarily due to growing Human settlements and the hunting of them for their fur. There are widely considered to be five different subspecies of Cheetah that vary only very slightly in colouration and are most easily distinguished by their geographic location. Although they are not considered to be part of the ‘big cat’ family as they cannot roar, Cheetahs are one of Africa‘s most powerful predators and are most renowned for their immense speed when in a chase. Capable of reaching speeds of more than 60mph for short periods of time, the Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world.



Cheetah Anatomy and Appearance

The Cheetah is an animal that has a long and slender body that is covered in coarse yellowish fur and dotted with small black spots. Its long tail helps with balance and changing direction quickly and unlike the rest of the Cheetah’s body, there are ringed markings along the tail which ends in a black tip. Cheetahs have small heads with high set eyes that aid them when surveying the surrounding grasslands for potential prey. They also have distinctive black “tear marks” that run from the inner eye, along their nose and down to the outside of their mouths, which are thought to help protect them from being blinded by the bright sun. The exceptional speed of the Cheetah is caused by a number of things including having strong and powerful hind legs, and an incredibly flexible and muscular spine which allows the Cheetah to not only sprint quickly but also makes them very agile. They also have non-retractable claws which dig into the ground, giving the Cheetah better grip at high speed.



Cheetah Distribution and Habitat

The Cheetah is an animal that once had a vast historical range that stretched across a number of continents, but their distribution today is much more scattered with a small number found in Iran and the majority found in sub-Saharan Africa. Although Cheetahs are still found in a few different parts of eastern and southern Africa, the highest population of wild Cheetahs is now found in Namibia in south-western Africa. Cheetahs are most commonly found stalking prey on the vast, open grasslands but they are also found in a variety of other habitats as well including deserts, dense vegetation and mountainous terrain, providing that there are both adequate supplies of food and water. Cheetahs are one of Africa’s most vulnerable felines with population numbers being mainly affected by growing Human settlements that encroach on their native habitats.



Cheetah Behaviour and Lifestyle

The Cheetah is unique amongst Africa’s felines primarily because they are most active during the day, which avoids competition for food from other large predators like Lions and Hyenas that hunt during the cooler night. They are also one of the more sociable Cat species with males often roaming in small groups, generally with their siblings, and oddly enough, it is the females that are more solitary animals apart from the 18 months or so that they spend looking after their cubs. Cheetahs are fiercely territorial animals that patrol large home ranges and often overlap those of other Cheetahs, and indeed Lions, with females tending to roam across a much larger range than males. They are typically shy and very stealthy animals so that they are able to hunt for prey in the hot daylight hours without being spotted so easily.



Cheetah Reproduction and Life Cycles

After a gestation period that lasts for around 3 months, the female Cheetah gives birth to between two and five cubs that are born blind and incredibly vulnerable in the African wilderness. The cubs suckle from their mother for the first few months when they begin eating meat, and start to accompany her on hunting trips as they are able to learn how to hunt from watching her. Cheetah cubs learn the majority of their hunting techniques through playing with their siblings, and remain with their mother until they can hunt successfully and leave to find their own territory at between 18 months and 2 years old. Sadly, one of the main reasons for such drastic declines in Cheetah numbers is that up to 75% of Cheetah cubs don’t live to be older than 3 months, as their mother has to leave them every day to find food to feed them, leaving the vulnerable cubs helpless in the face of predators.





Cheetah Diet and Prey

The Cheetah has exceptional eyesight and so hunts using sight by first stalking its prey (from between 10 to 30 meters away), and then chasing it when the time is right. Cheetahs often kill their prey in vast open spaces but tend to drag it into a hiding place to prevent it from being scavenged by other animals. The Cheetah has to do this as it cannot eat its prey straight away, due to the fact that they are immensely hot after the chase and need time to cool down before they can feast. Cheetahs are carnivorous animals meaning that they only hunt and kill other animals in order to get the nutrition that they need to survive. They mainly hunt large herbivores including Gazelle and a number of large Antelope species such as Wildebeest, along with Zebras and smaller mammals like Hares. The exact diet of the Cheetah though tends to depend on its location.



Cheetah Predators and Threats

The adult Cheetah is a dominant predator in its environment and is therefore not seen as prey (more as competition) by other large predators. The Cheetah cubs however, are incredibly vulnerable particularly when their mother is off hunting, and are preyed upon by a number of animals including Lions and Hyenas, but also large avian species such as Eagles and Vultures. The biggest threat to Cheetahs is people, who have not only taken vast areas of its natural habitat for themselves, but have also turned large regions of land into National Parks. Although these areas seem to be showing increases in both Lion and Hyena populations, Cheetah numbers are much lower as there is more competition for food with the increasing numbers of these other large predators.



Cheetah Interesting Facts and Features

One of the most distinctive differences between the different subspecies is that their fur colour changes slightly, depending on their surrounding environment. Those Cheetahs found in the more arid desert regions tend to be lighter and have smaller spots than the King Cheetahs that roam the south African grasslands, and are darker, slightly bigger and have larger spots. Although Cheetahs cannot roar, they do make a variety of different sounds including a high-pitched yelp which can be heard for more than a mile away. The Cheetah is one of the most distinctive of the world’s felines and although it is fairly commonly confused with the Leopard, its name is thought to have come from the Hindu word ‘chita’ which means the ‘spotted one’.



Cheetah Relationship with Humans

Despite their fierce appearance, Cheetahs have actually been domesticated by local people for thousands of years, as they were used to help with hunting for food for the villagers. They have also been kept in captivity for a long time, but as they do not seem to produce particularly healthy individuals, wild Cheetahs were regularly caught to restore the bloodline. Hunted by people as trophies throughout much of their natural range, Cheetahs have completely disappeared from numerous places and along with habitat loss to growing Human settlements and the clearing of land for agriculture, Cheetah numbers are still declining rapidly in many areas today.



Cheetah Conservation Status and Life Today

Today, the Cheetah has been listed by the IUCN as a species that is Vulnerable from extinction in its natural environment in the near future. Habitat loss along with the increase of natural parks that are home to a large number of competing predators has led to drastic declines in the world’s Cheetah population. There are now estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000 individuals left in the wild, along with a growing number being found in zoos and animal institutes all over the world.

Cheetah FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Cheetahs herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Cheetahs are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.

What Kingdom do Cheetahs belong to?

Cheetahs belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do Cheetahs belong to?

Cheetahs belong to the phylum Chordata.

What class do Cheetahs belong to?

Cheetahs belong to the class Mammalia.

What family do Cheetahs belong to?

Cheetahs belong to the family Felidae.

What order do Cheetahs belong to?

Cheetahs belong to the order Carnivora.

What genus do Cheetahs belong to?

Cheetahs belong to the genus Acinonyx.

What type of covering do Cheetahs have?

Cheetahs are covered in Fur.

Where do Cheetahs live?

Cheetahs live in Asia and Africa.

In what type of habitat do Cheetahs live?

Cheetahs live in open grasslands.

What are some predators of Cheetahs?

Predators of Cheetahs include humans, lions, and eagles.

What is the average litter size for a Cheetah?

The average litter size for a Cheetah is 3.

What is an interesting fact about Cheetahs?

The Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world!

What is the scientific name for the Cheetah?

The scientific name for the Cheetah is Acinonyx jubatus.

What is the lifespan of a Cheetah?

Cheetahs can live for 10 to 12 years.

What is a baby Cheetah called?

A baby Cheetah is called a cub.

How many species of Cheetah are there?

There are 5 species of Cheetah.

What is the biggest threat to the Cheetah?

The biggest threat to the Cheetah is habitat loss.

How many Cheetahs are left in the world?

There are 8,500 Cheetahs left in the world.

How fast is a Cheetah?

A Cheetah can travel at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Caiman

Caiman crocodilus, Melanosuchus niger, Caiman yacare, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, Paleosuchus trigonatus, Caiman latirostris







Caiman Classification and Evolution

There are six species of caiman found in a variety of wetland habitats throughout Central and South America. Caimans are animals that are most closely related to alligators with which they share a number of similar characteristics. Like other crocodilians (a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials), caimans are one of the longest surviving species on the planet having evolved very little over the past 200 million years. They have no close living relatives and belong to a group of reptiles called archosaurs (which included dinosaurs), where other reptile species belong to a different group. Despite the fact that the dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago, caimans along with the other members of the crocodilian group are still going strong.



Caiman Anatomy and Appearance

Caimans are animals that have wide, slightly flattened bodies and a long vertically flattened, muscular tail that propels them through the water with immense power. Like other crocodilians, their nostrils and eyes are located on the top of their snout and head which means that they can still both breathe and see whilst being almost fully submerged and hidden in the water. Caimans (like alligators) have wide, flat heads with a rounded snout that allows them to prey on larger animal species with ease. Their strong jaws contain a row of cone-shaped teeth, that when snapped shut drives them into their prey. Caimans cannot chew so swallow smaller prey whole. With larger animals, they use their sharp teeth and powerful bodies to tear at the flesh and are known to store larger prey species in underwater larders until they begin to decay and are therefore easier to consume. Caimans range in size from 1.5m long to 6m long depending on the species. Black caimans are the largest caiman species and have dark grey to black coloured, plated skin. Other caiman species range from a dull olive to grey or brown in colour with a lighter underside. All have webbed feet with five toes on their front feet and four on their hind feet.



Caiman Distribution and Habitat

Caimans are found inhabiting a wide range of wetland habitats throughout Central and South America, the exact locations and habitat preferences are dependant on the species. Spectacled caimans (also known as the common caiman) are the most common and wide-spread species and have also been introduced into areas outside of their natural range including Puerto Rico and Cuba. They are found inhabiting rivers, lakes and swampland. They prefer stiller waters compared to black caimans that are larger in size and can therefore withstand stronger currents. Crucially, this difference in habitat preference also means that in areas where the range of the larger black caiman overlaps those of smaller species, there is less competition for territory between species as they occupy different habitat niches. Due to the fact that spectacled caimans prefer stiller waters, they are known to also reside in man-made waterways like canals and reservoirs.



Caiman Behaviour and Lifestyle

Caimans spend most of the daytime hours resting in the water or basking on river banks in the sun and are mostly active at night. Although all caiman species are semiaquatic, some spend more time on land than others. Spectacled caimans rarely leave the safety of the water where black caimans often leave the water under the cover of dark to hunt for larger prey species on land. Males are highly territorial and quickly establish dominance hierarchies, with more dominant male caimans gaining access to more preferable territories and they also mate with more females. Spectacled caimans rely so heavily on their watery habitats that during periods of drought they will burrow into the mud. Here they are able to enter a dormant state to avoid desiccation (extreme dryness).



Caiman Reproduction and Life Cycles

Caimans become sexually mature when they are between four and ten years old, depending on the species. The timing of the breeding season is also species dependent: spectacled caimans breed during the wet season in May and June, where black caimans breed during the dry season. Females build nest mounds from either vegetation or mud that can be up 1.5 meters in height. Between 30 and 65 eggs are then laid in a conical hole made at the top of the mound which hatch after around three months. Female caimans guard their nests during this time, with spectacled caiman females known to lay eggs in the same nest which they then guard together. When they hear the hatchlings calling, the female caimans then help their young to the water by carrying them in their mouths. Female caimans remain with their young for up to a year to protect them from predators. Juvenile caimans are lighter in colour than adults but these markings fade as the caiman ages, they live together in large groups called creches.



Caiman Diet and Prey

Caimans are formidable predators that hunt and consume a wide variety of animal matter. Due to their largely aquatic lifestyle, fish (such as catfish and piranha), crustaceans and other small-sized aquatic animals make up the bulk of their diet. They are also known to hunt birds (particularly waterfowl) along with amphibians and small mammals. Capybara and wild pigs are an important food source for many caiman populations, while large black caimans venture onto land during the night to hunt for larger prey including humans. Caimans use a variety of techniques in order to hunt prey species but most commonly remain close to the river banks and lie in wait for mammals to come to the water to drink or to cross to the other side. They are also known to glide up to prey, silently drifting through the water with just their eyes and nostrils exposed in the hope that they can sneak up on waterfowl without being seen.

Caiman Predators and Threats

Due to their large size and formidable nature, adult caimans have very few predators within their natural environments. Large big cats such as jaguars are the most common and successful predators of caimans. The small size of young caimans however, means that they are easier targets to be preyed upon by other animal species. Along with wild cats, birds of prey, snakes and omnivorous mammals such as wild pigs, are all known to prey on the more vulnerable juveniles. Caimans are also threatened by habitat degradation throughout much of their natural range in the form of deforestation and water pollution. They have also been the subjects of hunting for their skin and for their meat.



Caiman Interesting Facts and Features

Unlike mammals that have just two sets of teeth that last them for their whole lives, caimans continuously shed and replace their teeth in order to keep them razor sharp. The new set of teeth grows beneath the existing one, pushing the old tooth out when the new one is fully developed. Due to their semi-aquatic lifestyle, caimans have a number of fascinating adaptations that help them to survive more successfully in the water. Like other crocodilian species, caimans have a third transparent eyelid which helps to protect their eyes when they are in the water without compromising their sight. They also have flaps over the external parts of their ears and nose that close to prevent water from entering them and a special flap at the back of their throat. This allows caimans to catch fish whilst swimming with their open mouths but prevents water from entering their lungs.

Caiman Relationship with Humans

Caimans have been hunted by people for their tough skins that are most commonly used in the production of clothing, primarily shoes and to make bags. They are also hunted locally for meat which is an important protein source to some populations. In more recent years, they have been heavily affected by habitat loss to make way for growing human settlements and also to clear land for agriculture. Black caimans are particularly feared by local people, as their large sized, powerful bodies have meant that they are capable of hunting people within their range.

Caiman Conservation Status and Life Today

Today caimans are listed by the IUCN as animals that are of Least Concern of becoming extinct in the near future. Despite enormous population declines (the black caiman population is thought to have diminished by 99% over the past 100 years), they are still thriving in certain regions. Interestingly, the demise of larger crocodilian species throughout Central and South America has led to the extension of their range in some areas.

Caiman FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Caimans herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Caimans are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.

What Kingdom do Caimans belong to?

Caimans belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Caimans belong to?

Caimans belong to the class Reptilia.

What phylum to Caimans belong to?

Caimans belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Caimans belong to?

Caimans belong to the family Alligatoridae.

What order do Caimans belong to?

Caimans belong to the order Crocodilia.

What type of covering do Caimans have?

Caimans are covered in Plate-like scales.

What genus do Caimans belong to?

Caimans belong to the genus Caimaninae.

Where do Caimans live?

Caimans live in Central and South America.

In what type of habitat do Caimans live?

Caimans live in rivers, lakes, and swamplands.

What are some predators of Caimans?

Predators of Caimans include jaguars, wild pigs, and birds of prey.

What is an interesting fact about Caimans?

Caimans can grow to up 6 meters long!

What is the scientific name for the Caiman?

The scientific name for the Caiman is Caiman crocodilus, Melanosuchus niger, Caiman yacare, Paleosuchus palpebrosus, Paleosuchus trigonatus, or Caiman latirostris.

What is the lifespan of a Caiman?

Caimans can live for 20 to 40 years.

How many species of Caiman are there?

There are 6 species of Caiman.

What is the biggest threat to the Caiman?

The biggest threats to the Caiman are habitat loss and hunting.

What is another name for the Caiman?

The Caiman is also called the spectacled caiman, black caiman, yacare Caiman, Cuvier’s dwarf caiman, smooth-fronted caiman, or broad-snouted caiman.

How many Caimans are left in the world?

The population size of the Caiman is unknown.

How fast is a Caiman?

A Caiman can travel at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.

Caiman Lizard







“The Caiman Lizard is one of the biggest lizard species of the Americas”

Caiman lizards are a large semiaquatic reptile species originating in South America. The Caiman lizard is one of around 5,000 species of lizards. Occasionally referred to as water tegus, these lizards love the water and are fantastic swimmers. Although considerably smaller than the well-known crocodilian caiman, they have some similarities such as the scales along their backs, their characteristic tail, and their comparable habitats.



5 Caiman Lizard Facts

As they grow bigger, Caiman lizards shed their skin.Caiman lizards can develop an attachment to their owners.The Caiman lizard is related to the Tegu species.The Caiman lizard is an oviparous animal.Northern Caiman lizards are brightly colored.

Caiman Lizard Scientific name

The lizard’s scientific genus is Dracaena and is sometimes subsequently called the Dracaena lizard. There are currently two subspecies of Caiman lizards: the Northern Caiman lizard and the Paraguay Caiman lizard. The scientific name for the Northern Caiman lizard is Dracaena guianensis, and the scientific name for the Paraguay Caiman lizard is Dracaena paraguayensis. They are both species in the Teiidae family.

“New World Runners” is another name for this family. These lizards belong to the Squamata order and the Reptilia class. The word Dracaena is derived from the Greek drakaina, the female version of drakon meaning “serpent or dragon.” Guianensis means “of or from French Guiana” and in the same sense, Paraguayensis means “of or from Paraguay.”



Caiman Lizard Appearance

These lizards are sizable reptiles. They can grow to be between two and five feet long and weigh eight to twelve pounds when fully grown. As adults, these lizards are about as heavy as a cat. Females ordinarily only get as big as four feet in length and 10 pounds, while full-grown males can reach sizes of five feet long and 12 pounds.

A male lizard’s maximum length is about as tall as actor Danny Devito. These lizards have thick, stocky bodies and elongated, flat tails. Covering the lizard are large scales that are similar in appearance to those on crocodiles. Their limbs are short but strong, allowing them to quickly evade danger.

These lizards have a bifurcated (forked) tongue, powerful jaws, and small rounded teeth. Additionally, they have very sharp claws. They use their tongue to smell and detect food. Possibly the most impressive feature of these lizards is their third, clear eyelid. This unique mechanism acts as goggles to help them see while swimming underwater.

There are some physical traits unique to each subspecies. For instance, the coloring varies between the two. Northern Caiman lizards usually have fairly vibrant hues including a green body, red or orange head, and brown or black tail. Paraguay Caiman lizards, however, have less colorful, muted tones such as gray or tan from head to tail. Males of the Northern variety tend to have a broader and brighter red-colored head than their female counterparts.

These lizards are believed to be present-day relatives of the extinct Dracaena columbiana. They are also related to tegus and whiptails who, likewise, belong to the Teiidae family.



Caiman Lizard Behavior

A group of lizards is called a lounge. Caiman lizards have been described as neither social nor solitary. Caiman lizards can thrive on their own but they are generally not aggressive and can live in harmony with other lizards as well. This is due to their even-tempered nature.

These lizards are highly active and can run, climb, and swim extremely well. They spend a majority of their time in or close to water. Their tail aids them in swimming and may be used to defend themselves against predators by whipping it at them. These exotic lizards are diurnal. Nearly all of their activity takes place in the daytime and they primarily sleep throughout the night.



During the day, the lizards search for food near riverbanks, hunt underwater, and sunbathe on branches that hang low over the water. They use the water as a quick escape route when needed, simply plunging into the river from the branches they rest on and swimming away. At night, they sleep in bushes or trees, hidden from potential threats. Caiman lizards are tremendously smart animals.

Caiman Lizard Habitat

These lizards are semiaquatic, meaning they must have both terrestrial (on land) and aquatic (in water) habitats. These cold-blooded creatures reside in warm climates. They live mostly in forests, wetlands, flooded woodlands, and savannas. They regularly reside in parts of the Amazon river basin. They need an abundance of freshwater and they frequent rivers, swamps, and marshes. Caiman lizards are native to South America. They can be found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Paraguay, and Peru.



Caiman Lizard Diet

These lizards are carnivores. They are able to easily crush shells by utilizing their mighty jaws and molar-like teeth. They bite down on the tough material, breaking it. Then they discard the hard shell pieces before eating the meat from their prey. This allows them to effortlessly feed on a variety of hard-shelled invertebrates. Their favorite meal seems to be snails, particularly apple snails.

What does the Caiman Lizard eat?

The lizard’s main diet consists of snails, crawfish, and freshwater clams. In many instances, they prey on Amazon river turtles as well. Furthermore, they will eat insects, crabs, fish, amphibians, and rodents. In captivity, these lizards are fed crickets and worms too.