The+Cheetah

Th e C he et ah Re po rt by: Megan  The cheetah is the world's fastest land animal. A cheetah can go from 0 to 70 miles an hour in only three seconds. These big cats have great control over their body at high speed and can make quick and sudden turns so it can get to its prey.

Before running, cheetahs use excellent eyesight to check their grassy areas for signs of prey, especially antelope and hares. This big cat is a daylight hunter that is sneaky in their movement and has a spotted coat that allows it to blend easily into high or dry grasses.

When the moment is right a cheetah will sprint after its prey and attempt to knock it down. Such chases make the cheetah use a tremendous amount of energy and are usually over in less than a minute. If successful, the cheetah will often drag its kill to a shady hiding place to protect it from other animals that sometimes steal a kill before the cheetah can eat. Cheetahs need only drink once every three to four days. Female cheetahs usually have a litter of three cubs and live with them for one and a half to two years. Young cubs spend their first year learning from their mother and practicing hunting techniques with playful games. Male cheetahs live alone or in small groups, often with their littermates.

Most wild cheetahs are found in eastern and southwestern Africa. About 12,000 cheetahs are in existence. This number is dropping at an alarming rate as the wide-open grasslands they life in are disappearing because of urban development. Because of this alarming drop, the cheetah has been placed on the endangered species list.