Omer 2019 Day 33: Cheetahs

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Omer 2019 Day 33 (Lag B'Omer): Hod in Hod, Glory in Humility
Cheetahs
We've all seen it: the heart-stopping video footage of a cheetah sprinting after an impala through the thick savanna shrubbery. The impala zigs and zags. The cheetah maneuvers effortlessly in its path. Her eyes are laser focused on her prey, her tail wildly counterbalances every turn she makes to keep her upright. The characteristic teardrop markings on her face make her immediately recognizable to kids and adults alike, almost all of whom are quick to remember that this remarkable cat is the earth's fastest land animal, reaching speeds of up to 75 miles per hour and accelerating to 60 miles per hour in 3 seconds and only 3 strides. A master of speed, the cheetah is certainly a glorious animal to behold.

But she is also a demonstration of humility. After expending all of her energy in her quest for dinner, she will almost always freely give it over to a larger, more intimidating predator who threatens to take it from her, for fear of being injured and ruining her livelihood (her athleticism). Despite being classified as a "big cat," cheetahs tend to be the most docile and least confrontational of the big cat species, and they seem to be well-aware that their slight stature makes them vulnerable to injury. Additionally, a cheetah will never use her talents for show. While we may daydream of what it must be like to be able to cross a football field in a matter of seconds, cheetahs do not actually travel at warp speed. It takes such a great deal of resources to be able to reach these top speeds and accelerations, that cheetahs will often err on the side of being highly discerning when it comes to using their speed as a tool, and will even relinquish an opportunity for a meal if it means conserving strength and resources for a hunt that is more likely to be successful. And, while it may not be a mark of humility, the cheetah's call does not exactly inspire one to think of "glory" in the same way a lion's roar might. Cheetahs are the only large cat that cannot roar, which is part of why they are scientifically categorized in a different genus (remember learning classifications in high school?) than lions, tigers, leopards, etc., who are classified in the genus Panthera. Cheetahs are an incredible demonstration of adaptive genius from head to toe, but they certainly could be described as having more humility than any other cat on the planet.

This year's animal Omer is a collaboration between myself and my friend Halli, a PhD in animal science. Thank you for counting the Omer with us!