Cheetah

Cheetah [Felis jubata), the hunting leopard, sometimes made the type of a distinct genus with the name Cynaelurus jubata, ranging through Central Asia westward, and into Africa southward to near the Cape. It is about 54 inches long, exclusive of the tail, which is from 30 inches to 33 inches more. The colour is light rufous fawn spotted with black, and the tail is more or less ringed with black. There is a kind of mane on the neck, and the hair on the belly is long and light-coloured. The head is short and rounded, as are the ears, and the limbs are long and slender. The claws differ from those of other cats in not being completely retractile, though the ligaments which should serve to draw them back are present. The upper sectorial tooth has the inner cusp quite rudimentary. The Woolly Cheetah (F. lanca), from Cape Colony, described by Mr. Sclater, may be only a variety. The Cheetah is partially domesticated, and is employed in the chase.