Rare Spotless Cheetah Photographed

05/02/2012

One of the most defining characteristics of the cheetah, after its legendary speed, is its spotted coat. That fact makes the photos recently taken by wildlife artist Guy Combes strange and fascinating.

Combes captured images of a very rare, spotless cheetah in Kenya.  Dubbed the "lesser-spotted cheetah," the animal has a tawny coat, not unlike that of a lion, with a scattering of tiny freckles--but no distinct black spots like a normal cheetah.

Combes heard about the creature roaming a vast 100,000 acre wilderness and set about tracking it via truck and even helicopter.   His diligence paid off when he was able to get within fifty yards of the animal to capture some stunning photos.

Below is one of Combes' pictures, via the Daily Mail's website.  Click over their website to see more photos of the spotless cheetah and read more about Combes' adventure finding it.

 

 

Here's a photo of a normal cheetah for comparison.

 

 Get more great cheetah content from Animal Planet:

• FACTS: Learn all about the planet's fastest land animal.
• ODDITY: See pictures of the rare ghost cheetah.
• CUTE: See what a baby cheetah looks like.
• VIDEO: Watch amazing cheetah videos.

Comments

[Pooka]

Amazing!

However...
A 100,000 what wilderness?

[David Mizejewski]

Oops - that should be 100,000 acre wilderness! I just corrected it.

[Rhiannon Lytle]

That is amazing 2 catch photos of such a rare animal. Love it!

[Rhiannon Lytle]

That is amazing 2 catch photos of such a rare animal. Love it!

[dipak]

nice

[Arun laila]

Like animals

[jordan]

hurry! shoot it so it can be stuffed and displayed!!!

[Susan Fox]

It would have been nice if you had actually contacted Guy, a close friend of mine, to get accurate information about his sighting of this special animal, rather than perpetuating the incorrect information in the article you linked to. For starters, he is actually a fantastic wildlife painter who photographs animals for his art, not a wildlife photographer.

[Guy Combes]

Thank you for posting the story. My reasons for releasing these images to the press are in conjunction with top scientists and researchers working with Action for Cheetahs in Kenya to raise awareness for cheetah conservation in East Africa. There are fewer than 1500 left in Kenya and they are a very fragile species. This individual is being monitored and is far away from this original location. Anyone who suggests that he should be shot and stuffed, and acts on that suggestion should note that hunting is against the law in Kenya and poaching can qualify for the ultimate punishment.

[David Mizejewski]

Thanks for your comment, Guy, and for going through the effort to document this amazing and rare creature.

I think some of the hunting comments are just people being snarky and they're probably unaware of the protections that Kenya provides to wildlife and the punishments doled out for poaching.

[Martha]

It's a beautiful animal, but I hope that his location isn't exposed because I have a feeling this Cheetah won't be living too long... poachers and "trophy" hunters. People should just leave them alone, to live they're life out in peace and let nature take it's course.

[Sharon A. Lynn]

while it's true that Guy is an excellent photographer, I believe he is better known as an internationally acclaimed wildlife artist and advocate for conservation....

[Nancy Larson]

Thanks for posting this picture!!! I watch Animal Planets "Big Cat Diary's" every morning, with the Lions, Leopards and the Cheetahs...but never saw a Cheetah with out the spots :)

[David Mizejewski]

Thanks everyone for pointing out that Guy Combes is primarily a painter. I've updated the post to reflect that.

[Laxman Keshwala]

Some time reader wants to down load your photographs/image so that link should be there.

[Hannah]

What a beautiful creature.

[jgm pet doors]

That's pretty much amazing!

[Paloma]

Gracias por publicar la historia. Mis razones para la liberación de estas imágenes a la prensa están en conjunción con los principales científicos e investigadores que trabajan con la acción de guepardos en Kenia para crear conciencia de la conservación de guepardos en África oriental. Hay menos de 1500 dejó en Kenia y que son una especie muy frágiles. Este individuo está siendo monitoreado y está muy lejos de este lugar original. Cualquiera que sugiera que se le disparó y rellenos, y actúa sobre esa propuesta debe tener en cuenta que la caza es ilegal en Kenia y la caza furtiva puede calificar para el máximo castigo.

[GreatDaneLuver]

Awsome