THE CHEETAH OR HUNTING LEOPARD 23 



Habits. — The hunting leopard, although chiefly nocturnal, is 

 frequently seen in the daytime. They are perhaps more often 

 seen in pairs than singly — probably finding it easier to hunt 

 together than alone. Their chief food consists of the small sand 

 antelopes (dik-diks). I heard of a case of a cheetah on one 

 occasion climbing a small tree, while being hunted by dogs on 

 Guban, but I fancy this to be of rare occurrence, as they can 

 with little exertion outstrip any dog. They never run very far 

 without stopping to turn and gaze at their pursuers, whom they 

 not infrequently allow to come to within fairly close quarters, 

 when they gallop off again at a great pace. 



They prefer to live in the low bush country, where they in 

 all probability find it easier to procure their food. I once saw a 

 pair devouring a dik-dik, and as soon as they had finished I went 

 and examined the spot and found only a small piece of skin 

 remaining. The very young cubs are rather difficult to rear, 

 although with a little trouble they will suckle a goat — the milk, 

 however, never seems to agree with them, and after some weeks 

 they usually succumb to enteritis. Three or four cubs usually 

 form a litter. When successfully reared they make delightful 

 pets, and will follow their master just like a dog. 



