Cheetah Sporting a Wildlife Monitoring Collar, Image Credit: Structure & Motion Lab, RVC.
In the vast expanse of the African savannah, the cheetah rules as the world's fastest land creature. A recent study by Dr. Alan Wilson from the Royal Veterinary College has shed new light on the extraordinary hunting techniques of these magnificent animals.
Dr. Wilson's research, which involved collaring five cheetahs in Botswana, has revealed some fascinating insights. Contrary to popular belief, speed is not the critical factor in a cheetah's hunt. Instead, maneuverability is key. Cheetahs can slow down sharply before a turn, thanks to powerful leg and back muscles that generate 100 watts of power per kilogram. This agility, coupled with their specialized anatomy, allows them to outmaneuver their prey in short, high-speed bursts.
The study found that wild cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph) during hunts, typically sustaining this speed for short bursts of about 20–30 seconds. However, their average top speed during a hunt is 33 mph for one or two seconds. This rapid acceleration and deceleration is possible due to their non-retractable claws, flexible spine, large nasal passages and lungs, and a long, muscular tail that acts as a rudder, providing extra grip and stability.
Interestingly, Dr. Wilson's study also showed that cheetahs hunt both day and night and are more successful in thicker vegetation. This finding challenges the conventional wisdom that cheetahs are strictly diurnal and prefer open, grassy plains for hunting.
Dr. John Bertram at the University of Calgary praised the imagination used in studying cheetahs with the collars. The collars, which were replaced from the existing ones, record position, acceleration, and more data during quick movements. They can now relay their position to cameras on overhead planes, allowing Dr. Wilson to film hunts from above.
Dr. Wilson's work doesn't stop with cheetahs. He has started to collar other predators, such as wild dogs, leopards, lions, and domestic cats, for a BBC2 documentary titled "The Secret Life of the Cat." This ambitious project promises to uncover more secrets about the lives and hunting strategies of various predators in the African wilderness.
In a future study, Dr. Wilson plans to investigate the hunting habits of cheetahs that hunt in packs, using updated collars that can be programmed to turn on if a hunt has started. This research could provide valuable insights into the social dynamics and cooperative hunting strategies of these fascinating animals.
In conclusion, Dr. Wilson's study has provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of the cheetah, revealing the intricate balance of speed, agility, and specialized anatomy that makes these animals such effective hunters. As he continues his research, we can look forward to more revelations about the lives and habits of these magnificent creatures.
- Dr. Wilson's study on cheetahs in the African savannah, supported by technology in the form of collars, has disclosed new insights about their hunting techniques, challenging previous beliefs.
- While speed is often thought to be a crucial factor in a cheetah's hunt, maneuverability, aided by their specialized anatomy and agility, seems to be the key.
- This groundbreaking research has also revealed that cheetahs are adaptable predators, hunting both during the day and in thicker vegetation, contradicting the common perception of their hunting habits.
- With a vision to explore the lives of various predators, Dr. Wilson has embarked on a new project, called "The Secret Life of the Cat," using collars to study wild dogs, leopards, lions, and even domestic cats, contributing to the field of nature and wildlife.
