Klappentext: In the days when cheetahs roamed fom the steppes of Soviet Russia to the southern African Cape, there was an abundance of food, and the great running cats were masters of a domain that spanned the globe. Today that habitat is but a shadow of its former range. The cheetah's retreat has been dramatic. Its old habitat has been increasingly usurped by mankind for urban and agricultural development. More and more driven away from the open grassland of its fomer range towards the edges of woodland and forest, the cheetah must adapt. That we are witnessing just such an environmental adaption evolving in the King Cheetah, is the eloquently argued conclusion reached in this account by Lena Godsall Bottriell of one of the most thoroughly researched and adventurous expiditions to come out of Africa in recent times. In 1978, following 18 months preliminary planning, Lena and her husband Paul Bottriell launched an expedition to southern Africa with the aim of increasing the current field knowledge of the legendary King Cheetah. Fourteen months fieldwork, from Botswana, though war-torn Rhodesia, to a final, unique ballon search in Kruger National Park marked the beginning of a further eight years comprehensive research which while documenting nearly forty specimens, and firmly establishing the existance of King Cheetah in the wild, convincingly argues the case for the legendary striped cheetah of southern Africa, being a new geographic race of cheetah in the process of evolving. King Cheetah, an eminently readable account illustrated with breathtaking photographs, offers a major contribution to natural history.

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

The ultimate quest for the world's most mysterious creatures The Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, the Abominable Snowman -- these are the names of the elusive beasts that have caught the eye and captured the imaginations of people around the world for centuries. Recently, tales of these "monsters" have been corroborated by an increase in sightings, and out of these legends a new science has been born: cryptozoology -- the study of hidden animals. Cryptozoology A to Z, the first encyclopedia of its kind, contains nearly two hundred entries, including cryptids (the name given to these unusual beasts), new animal finds, and the explorers and scientists who search for them. Loren Coleman, one of the world's leading cryptozoologists, teams up with Jerome Clark, editor and author of several encyclopedias, to provide these definitive descriptions and many never-before-published drawings and photographs from eyewitnesses' detailed accounts. Full of insights into the methods of these scientists, exciting tales of discovery, and the history and evolution of this field, Cryptozoology A to Z is the most complete reference ever of the newest zoological science.

From exotic wild species inhabiting unfamiliar settings to elusive forms still unknown to science or thought to be extinct, the Felidae, better known as ‘cats’, have been reported in sightings from around the world. According to conventional wisdom, they do not exist, but mystery cats of all sizes have attracted increasing attention from naturalists and laypersons alike, and the evidence for these animals is becoming more substantial and increasingly difficult to deny. Now, one of the world’s leading cryptozoological investigators and field researchers offers a comprehensive field guide and overview of these mysterious cat-like creatures. Filled with photographs, comprehensive paintings, classifications, and hard evidence, this book offers an invaluable resource for those who wish to investigate these sightings further or simply enjoy the fascinating reports provided by others.

Esteemed for its speed and athleticism, admired for its grace and beauty, coveted for its hunting prowess, the cheetah has nonetheless been harrassed and hounded to the point of extinction. Author Luke Hunter, a specialist on African carnivores, looks into the history, evolution, behaviour and day-to-day survival of one of the most fascinating of the big cats. He discusses the ancestry of the cheetah, its hunting strategies, reproduction, social behaviour and status throughout African and Iran - the last remaining pocket of the species in Asia. Hunter also focuses on the tenuous future of the cheetah, its decreasing habitat and declining numbers, and deals with the immediate and long-term conservation issues facing the species. His authoritative text highlights the latest research on cheetahs, dispelling the myths and providing a comprehensive overview of the cheetah in the wild. Throughout the book, his first-hand field observations supplement data on the latest ecological discoveries from cheetah researchers across Africa. Powerful, full-colour photographs by Dave Hamman make this book a visual feast and reveal a world that is both intensely private and highly dramatic. Hamman's portrayal of the many modes and activities of this elusive animal presents a sumptuous gallery of photographs, while at the same time serving to broaden our knowledge - and help ensure the survival - of this remarkable and beautiful cat.

Did you know that European royalty once used cheetahs to hunt deer, or that caracals can capture birds by leaping six and a half feet straight up into the air from a standing start? Have you ever wondered whether domestic cats really do land on their feet when they fall, or how Canada lynx can stalk their prey in the winter without falling through the deep snow? Wild Cats of the World is a treasure trove of answers to questions like these, and many others, for anyone who's interested in learning more about the world's felids, including the ones with whom we share our homes. Mel and Fiona Sunquist have spent more than a decade gathering information about cats from every available source, many of them quite difficult to find, including scientific papers, descriptions of hunts, archeological findings, observations by naturalists and travelers, reports from government agencies, and newsletters from a wide variety of organizations. Weaving information from these sources together with their own experiences observing wild cats around the world, the Sunquists have created the most comprehensive reference on felids available. Each of their accounts of the 36 species of cat contains a description of the cat, including human interactions with it, as well as detailed data on its distribution, ecology and behavior, status in the wild, and efforts to conserve it. Numerous photographs, including more than 40 in full color, illustrate these accounts. Ranging from the two-pound black-footed cat to the five-hundred-pound tiger, and from the African serval with its satellite-dish ears to the web-footed fishing cat of Asia, Wild Cats of the World will fascinate and educate felid fans of any stripe (or spot).