Posts
Time for some more
information about big cats, this week we are looking at things concerning how
they attack.
Their body is perfectly
built for hunting and killing, it has strong grasping limbs, sharp claws, and
knife-like canine teeth.
Most cats hunt at dawn or
dusk and have excellent senses of vision and hearing.
When the cat senses the
right moment, it moves its bodyweight to its rear legs and lunges towards its
prey. If it is close enough it will take its prey down to the ground and suffocate
it. If not close enough it will chase its prey.
These big cats also stalk
and ambush their prey, they can move very quickly and quietly when they want to,
and they are good at hiding from their prey. They will remain in hiding waiting
for an unsuspecting animal to come withing striking distance, they will then lunge
and attack the unprepared victim.
Not all cats kill in the
same way, small cats kill their prey by a bite to the back of the neck. Bigger
cats suffocate their prey either with a stronghold on the neck or by covering
the prey’s snout with their jaws.
The cheetah is the best
hunter amongst the wild cats, it catches up to 70 per cent of the prey it sets
it sights on. The lion, however, has the lowest success rate at less than 30
per cent.
Some cats like the caracul use
their paws to catch birds, when they see a bird about to take flight it raises
up on its hind legs and jumps up to catch the bird.
The snow leopard has a lot
of power in its rear legs, making it able to leap 12 meters or 40 feet along
the ground.
The cheetah special bone
structure and muscles allow it to run up to 112km/h or 70 mph so it can out
chase any other animal.
Amazing cats!
ReplyDeleteNo big cats in our area, but my neighbor just shared a video of a black bear swimming in the lake just around the bend from our cove. Amazing to see, and not something we see often, but glad I was on land : )
ReplyDeleteWe do have cougars or mountain lions and lynx in the north woods. They are beautiful, but can be deadly, for sure. Some cats wait above their prey in the trees and leap down on them. Leopards and panthers, I think. Maybe more. I am fascinated by the big cats. :)
ReplyDeleteI love big fluffy cats.
ReplyDeleteBut in your photos, some of the cats look a bit hostile, just as you forewarned in the title - Big Cats Attacking!
Interesting post. I didn't know that they suffocate their prey.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't hear about the suffocation of the prey, either, so that was a new one on me. Blessings, Jo-Anne!
ReplyDeleteWell, Mr Lion is known to be a bit lazy... perhaps the cheetah has both working on dinner instead of just the Mrs...
ReplyDelete