Africa's Endangered Species
The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Description of the Cheetah
- The cheetah have many amazing features. (OA)
- Most cheetahs are 30 inches at the shoulder. (OA)
- The average weight of a cheetah is around 110 to 140 pounds. (OA)
- Their usual lifespan is 10 to 20 years. (RL)
- Some of the cheetah's predators are eagles, humans, hyenas, and lions. (OA)
- The cheetah is considered a mammal. (OA)
- The cheetah's chest is deep and its waist is narrow. (OA)
- Cheetahs are least able to adapt to new environments. (RL)
- The cheetah can run faster than any other land animal and can reach speeds up to 70 to 75 mph. (OA)
WHERE DOES THE CHEETAH BELONG IN THE FOOD CHAIN?
- Some of the cheetah's food sources are antelope and other small game. (RL)
- The cheetahs get their food on the African plains. (RL)
- A cheetah is a carnivore. (RL)
- The cheetahs' predators are eagles, humans, hyenas, and lions. (RL)
- Cheetahs eat small to medium sized mammals such as gazelles and impala. (RL)
- Cheetahs also hunt young zebra and wildebeests. (RL)
THE CHEETAHS' HABITAT
- The cheetahs are mainly found in Africa, but they also live in Asia as well. (LS)
- Some countries they live in are Iran, Tanzania, Botswana. (LS)
- They also live in the central Sahara Desert. (LS)
- Cheetahs live in savanna woodlands, semi-deserts, dry forests, and other grassy habitats. (LS)
- The climate that cheetahs strive in is the tropical savanna climate. (LS)
- Cheetahs like to live in the open and they live in the thick prairie bush so predators cannot spot them. (LS)
How does a cheetah adapt to its environment?
- Cheetahs usually have small teeth because most of their prey are easy to chew. (OA)
- Cheetahs have bigger nasal cavities that allow it to suck greater air needed as they sprint for their prey. (OA)
- Cheetahs have black lines down their face called "tear marks" and the prevent glare from the sun. (OA)
- The cheetah's claws help the cheetah to be the fastest land animal. (OA)
- The cheetah's dark spots on a light background help it camouflage. (OA)
- The cheetah can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. (OA)
- Cheetah's great speed comes from their long stride and limber but muscular legs.(OA)
- Cheetahs growl or yowl when they are facing danger. (OA)
- Cheetahs mostly hunt by themselves, but some male cheetahs hunt with other male cheetahs. (OA)
Why are cheetahs endangered?
- Many farmers killed cheetahs because they had conflicts. (OA)
- Disease is a potential threat to the cheetah. (OA)
- Another threat is competition with other large predators. (OA)
- Several countries, including Namibia and Kenya have developed national action plans or conservation strategies. (RL)
- You can donate funds to the Endangered Animal Foundation to help preserve the cheetah. (RL)
http://youtu.be/IAjsVu0UQmQ
Photo Credits
Cheetah Picture(the first one)- Credits to defenders.org
Cheetah Hunting Gazelle- Credits to greatinspire.com
Cheetah Cub- Credits to nationalgeographic.com
Cheetah Stalking Prey- Credits to commons.wikimedia.org
Cheetah Habitat Map- Credits to cheetah-facts.com
Black Rhino Picture- Credits to gambassa.com
Asian Tiger Picture- Credits to wordpress.com
Mountain Zebra Picture- Credits to konicminolta.com
Video Credits
Credits to user Whittywhit253 for posting the video on YouTube.com.
El Pr- Black Rhino
https://www.smore.com/4qss
Br Pe Al- Asian Tiger
https://www.smore.com/4x2z
No Ki-Mountain Zebra
https://www.smore.com/zac7