Northwest African Cheetah
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| Acinonyx jubatus hecki Hilzheimer, 1913 |
The Northwest African Cheetah ("cheetah" from Hindi चीता cītā, derived from Sanskrit word chitraka meaning "speckled") (Acinonyx jubatus hecki) is a rare endangered subspecies of the Cheetah found primarily in the region of North Africa. Mainly in Algeria, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Niger, and the Western Sahara. Its population is estimated at around 9,000–12,000 individuals.
[edit] Diet
The main prey of the Northwest African Cheetah is Thomson's Gazelle. Other prey include the Impala and sometimes small ungulates.
[edit] Habitat and Ecology
The Northwest African Cheetah is usually solitary and semi-nomadic. Small groups do occur though, usually as mother and cubs or male coalitions, which usually only have a very small range. Female territories are located in areas of high prey base, which therefore determine male territories.
[edit] References
- ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 533. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- ^ Cat Specialist Group (1996). Acinonyx jubatus hecki. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 18 November 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is critically endangered.
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