Rare cheetah caught on camera and rare crab sighted in Britain

by Amy Judd | February 24, 2009 at 11:52 am
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Northwest Saharan cheetah (Image: Farid Belbachir / ZSL / OPNA)

Northwest Saharan cheetah (Image: Farid Belbachir / ZSL / OPNA)

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An incredibly rare cheeta has been photographed in the Algerian Sahara by scientists from the Zoological Society of London, while over in Britain, an incredibly rare crab has been sighted for the third time in only a century.

The Northwest African or Saharan cheetah is very elusive, as there are only 250 adults left in the wild - they are critically endangered, but most importantly so little is known about the cat that scientists don't even know why it is so endangered.

It was caught on a camera trap; part of a survey of the central Sahara to provide scientists on the wildlife there. The cheetah is thought to be found mostly in Algeria. The research also found sand cats in the region and a horn that once belonged to a scimitar-horned oryx, which is now extinct in the wild.

"This study is helping us to turn a corner in our understanding, providing us with information about population numbers, movement and ecology."

The Corrugated Crab, found in the waters around the UK for only a third time in 100 years, was discovered near Cornwall, and although it is native to Britain, it is rarely seen because it is nocturnal and does not often come up on shore.
These crabs can grow to be 6cm and is a reddish-brown colour. The are called a 'swimming crab' as they do not live close to shore. The one that was caught is considered very feisty and is currently at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay, in Cornwall.

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First Flagged at 12:27 PM, Feb 24, 2009 by kuuva
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