A cheetah do no roar in the manner of the larger cats and as such are in a genus of their own, i.e. Acinonyx (lions and leopards belong to the genus Panthera).  They produce various bird-like sounds to keep in contact with young or to greet one another.  When content, cheetahs are known to purr loudly.  Under duress they may growl, snarl, hiss, bleat, cough or moan.

Young cheetah cubs (up to 3 months old) have a mantle of grey fur along the saddle of their backs which at quick glance resembles the colouration of the formidable honey badger.  This mimicry is believed to deter larger predators from attacking the defenceless cubs as predators mistake them for the more ferocious and generally avoided badger.

Adult cheetahs also have a crest of hair down their backs but this generally lies flat and is only erected when the cheetah wishes to appear larger.  Males in confrontation with other males or individuals threatened by enemies will pilo-erect the longer hair on their backs to accentuate their size and thus appear more formidable or intimidating.

Question for the day…

What is the difference between a Cheetah and a Leopard?

Information from:  Game Ranger in your backpack by Megan Emmett & Sean Pattrick