Saturday, June 6, 2009

Camera Critters 61




Camera Critters

Do cheetahs purr?

Back to the zoo and the cheetah cubs, Kito and Kiburi.
These shots were taken almost a year ago.
The cubs were getting used to being on view.








These big cats have a powerful purr. Listen to Kiburi, one of the Houston Zoo's cheetah pair. He's in his habitat in the first half of the video, then moves inside to the building so we could hear his purr even better.

Kito and Kiburi share their Zoo home with Tusker and Taji, two Anatolian shepherd dogs. A Turkish breed, Anatolians are revered for their shepherding abilities, most recently in Africa where they guard livestock against predators, including leopards and cheetahs.

Kito and Kiburi arrived at the Houston zoo in October 2007 when they were just five days old. "They fit in the palm of my hand, and their eyes weren't even open", said Carnivore Supervisor, surrogate cheetah mom and one of the brothers main trainers, Sara Riger.

Enjoy the video.




28 comments:

Carletta said...

LOVED this video - what a sweet purr! Very alert Kitty.

My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.

2sweetnsaxy said...

How sweet! They are so cute and I do love that purrrrrr.
:-)

Indrani said...

So fearful, yet beautiful and graceful.

Anonymous said...

Nice photos of a wonderful subject. Love cats no matter how big. The purrs are the same only louder!

Anya said...

Hey family from my cat .... LOL
Fantastic shots :)
(@^.^@)
Have a nice weekend !!

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

WOW! Loved the video. What a beautiful cat that is.

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

cute and dangerous :-)
We've got bobcats here.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful multi-sensory critter post ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh Snap - that was so sweet - I loved it!!!! How are you hon??
Hugs, Sarah

Unknown said...

These are such beautiful critters. They sound just like a BIG kitty when they purr.

JD and Max said...

Beautiful video - lovely purr. What a great post.

Sharon said...

You could fall asleep listening to that purr...very soothing:)

Bruce said...

I can purr like that:) Pretty kitty!

Cezar and Léia said...

FAbulous...Outstanding video!
wow this cheetah is sooo adorable and it knows well how to "purr"!!!
Many thanks for this video we loved it!
Luna ( and mommy Léia ) CameraCritters

Rosa said...

There is something about cats, no matter how large. Awwww. How gorgeous these are!!

Martha said...

Great shots of beautiful cats, but I wanted to see your babies since we both have three kittens! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! :-)

Anonymous said...

Magnificent creatures. I believe that they are the fastest land animal. I am so happy to have found this MEME. I love that you left me a comment and here I find a fellow mindfulness wanderer who has the same Emerson quote as I have on my blog. I will be back. I am delighted to meet you.

Sue.

Coy Hill said...

What pretty kittens and do they ever purr.......Wow!

Carrie said...

That purr is a little intimdating to me, I don't think I could feel very comfortable around them, they are super cute though.

Manz said...

What a treat - photos + video! Gerat post... that purr sounds like my big boy Jonesy ;)

Michele said...

Gosh, I didn't know they could purr like that!!! What beautiful animals!!

Staci said...

I have never heard anything like that - at least not from a big cat! Thanks for such a great post!

Unknown said...

Cute cubs!

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Love that purr! I read a whole article in Smithsonian Magazine about Dr Marker who is working with the depleting cheetahs on the African plains. Amazing animals! These two are so fortunate!

Forgetfulone said...

Oh my gosh, that was wonderful! I love all kinds of cats. I haven't been to the Houston Zoo in a couple of years. Looks like it's time for another trip.

said...

Cheetahs are gorgeous!

Adrienne Zwart said...

Love to hear that sound! That cheetah is so cute! My kids are standing here in the office listening along with me. They were amazed!

Kate Tracton said...

Pretty kitty... BIIG Kitty! I'm thinking, he's purring at the thought of how good his handler is going to taste?

I love seeing big cats, so powerful and sleek. Thanks for sharing the video.

Kate