Describes the cheetah's essential role in the ecosystem and the ways in which Namibia's Cheetah Conservation Fund is promoting cohabitation between cheetahs and farmers.

Pronghorn, kangaroos, rhinos, and ostriches all have something in common: speed! They’re not only fast, but they’re fast enough to outrun their predators. This crucial adaptation has enabled them to survive in their various habitats amongst ferocious animals that seek to consume them. Readers will love reading about the swift beasts in this book and how they thwart their enemies. Key science concepts, such as adaptations and habitats, are interwoven into the text. Action photographs in the wild, a graphic organizer, and fact boxes are highlights of this engagingly designed volume.

The cheetah, the fastest terrestrial animal, has widespread appeal amongst wildlife biologists and enthusiasts alike. However, like all all large carnivores, it is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and its status is now classified as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN. This is the first comprehensive study of cheetah biology in an arid environment, a major component of its current distribution range. The book brings together results from an intensive six year study of the cheetah by the authors in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa and Botswana. It documents a wealth of detailed and direct observations of cheetah population biology and behavioural ecology, adopting an evolutionary approach and providing a conceptual framework for future research and applied management in the context of global environmental change. Kalahari Cheetahs covers topics such as optimal foraging theory, hunting strategies and predator prey relations, mating systems and reproductive strategies and success, inter-specific competition, demography, social organisation, and population limitation. Comparisons with previous cheetah studies reveal the variability of ecological determinants on behaviour, and the behavioural flexibility and ability of these carnivores to adapt to different environments. This advanced textbook is suitable for graduate level students as well as professional researchers in felid behavioural ecology and conservation biology. It will also be of relevance and use to conservationists, wildlife managers, and African wildlife enthusiasts.

Describes the habitat, physical characteristics, and behavior of the cheetah, as well as efforts to ensure the continued existence of this fastest land mammal.

Cheetahs of the Serengeti Plains is the most comprehensive account of carnivore social behavior to date. Synthesizing more than a decade of research in the wild, this book offers a detailed account of the behavior and ecology of cheetahs. Compared with other large cats, and other mammals, cheetahs have an unusual breeding system; whereas lions live in prides and tigers are solitary, some cheetahs live in groups while others live by themselves. Tim Caro explores group and solitary living among cheetahs and discovers that the causes of social behavior vary dramatically, even within a single species. Why do cheetah cubs stay with their mother for a full year after weaning? Why do adolescents remain in groups? Why do adult males live in permanent associations with each other? Why do adult females live alone? Through observations on the costs and benefits of group living, Caro offers new insight into the complex behavior of this extraordinary species. For example, contrary to common belief about cooperative hunting in large carnivores, he shows that neither adolescents nor adult males benefit from hunting in groups. With many surprising findings, and through comparisons with other cat species, Caro enriches our understanding of the evolution of social behavior and offers new perspectives on conservation efforts to save this charismatic and endangered carnivore.

Catherine Friend tackles the carnivore's dilemma' exploring the contradictions' nuances' questions' and bewildering choices facing today's more conscious meat - eaters. The Compassionate Carnivore is perfect for people who would like to eat meat b...

Similar but Different in the Animal Kingdom is an educational science book for children, youth, schools, libraries, and anyone interested in animals. Learn about the similarities and differences between twenty-five sets of animals: bees and wasps, frogs and toads, gophers and hamsters, falcons and hawks, herons and storks, ants and termites, donkeys and mules, and more. What are the similarities and differences between alligators and crocodiles? Which one has a U-shaped snout, and which one has a V-shaped snout? What are the similarities and differences between fleas and ticks? Which one is not an insect? Are wallabies just small kangaroos? Emus and ostriches are similar because they can’t fly, but they have different feet. Which one has two toes and which one has three? Salmon and tuna have different tails, whereas octopuses and squids have the same number of hearts. Butterflies and moths have different antennae. Which one has club-shaped antennae and which one has feathery antennae? Can cheetahs or leopards climb trees, and which one can’t roar? Do dolphins and porpoises have similar dorsal fins? Do foxes and wolves have more similarities or more differences? Similar but Different in the Animal Kingdom has the answers! This intriguing look at the animal kingdom provides “Fast Facts” with an instant list of the animals’ main similarities and differences, as well as their scientific classifications, descriptions, habitats, diets, breeding habits, and much more. There are interesting facts, fallacies, phrases, singular and plural animal words, collective nouns, and a glossary of scientific terms.