Leah Whitehead Cheetah Acinonux jubatus
Cheetah Characteristics Long, slim, muscular legs Flexible spine Deep chest Built for speed
Natural Habit Grasslands East Africa Savannas Semi- arid prairies
Diet & Size of a Cheetah Small to medium antelopes Young warthogs Rabbits Game bird Size of a Cheetah 110 to 140 pounds
Housing & Climate Requirements Hot and humid areas Don’t thrive in wet & dry areas
Solitary or Pack animal? Solitary animal
Relationship With Other Species (Predator/Prey) Predators Shy creature that roams widely Eagles, humans, hyenas, lions
Why are they endangered? Decline in prey Loss of habitat Poaching High mortality of cheetah cubs
Population Size of Today 12,400 cheetahs remaining in the wild biggest population is currently located in Namibia
Reproduction Females reach maturity in twenty to twenty-four months Males around twelve months Reproduce Once a year
Off springs Up to nine cubs Cubs weigh from 150 to 300 g
Conservation Efforts Different organizations About The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) What is being done? develop and implement better livestock management practices eliminating the need for ranchers to kill so many cheetah conduct conservation education programs for local villagers
Five Question Quiz 1. Are Cheetahs long and slim? 2. Are Cheetahs solitary or pack animals? 3. What is the natural habitat of a Cheetah? 4. Why is the Cheetah endangered? 5. Where in the world is the Cheetah found?
Cited sources http://www.defenders.org/cheetah/basic-facts http://www.felineconservation.org/feline_species/cheetah.htm www.wildnet.org