Christina the Cheerful Cheetah Margaret Schweppe Mrs. Baxter – Science December 18, 2014

Taxonomy of Cheetah Kingdom – Animalia – an animal Kingdom – Animalia – an animal Phylum – Chordata – internal skeleton (spinal cord) Phylum – Chordata – internal skeleton (spinal cord) Class – Mammalia – a mammal Class – Mammalia – a mammal Order – Carnivora – carnivore Order – Carnivora – carnivore Family – Felidae – catlike characteristics Family – Felidae – catlike characteristics Genus – Acinonyx – non-moving claws Genus – Acinonyx – non-moving claws Species – jubatus - crested Species – jubatus - crested

Habitat Cheetahs used to be found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Now, because of human activity and hunting, the cheetah is only found in small parts of Asia and Africa. They are found in the open grasslands of these countries. Cheetahs are on the endangered species list.

Adaptation Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals. They have long tails for balance. They have a very flexible spine which helps them sprint quickly. They have small heads with high set eyes that help them see over the grass while hunting. They have spotted fur that helps them blend in with the dry, tall grass. They have non- retractable claws that help them dig into the ground when they are going really fast. Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals. They have long tails for balance. They have a very flexible spine which helps them sprint quickly. They have small heads with high set eyes that help them see over the grass while hunting. They have spotted fur that helps them blend in with the dry, tall grass. They have non- retractable claws that help them dig into the ground when they are going really fast.

Diet Cheetahs are carnivores. Their favorite foods are gazelle, wildebeest and hares. Cheetahs hunt and chase down their food. They are most active during the day unlike most felines in the grasslands.

Fun Facts A cheetah can run up to 70 miles per hour. A cheetah can run up to 70 miles per hour. Cheetahs make facial expressions to signal their moods. Cheetahs make facial expressions to signal their moods. The cheetah originated over 4 million years ago. The cheetah originated over 4 million years ago.

A Day in the Life: Christina the Cheetah I wish those lions would have stopped roaring last night. It is hard to sleep with their loudness! I know they are cats, too, but they hunt in the night, and I hunt in the day. Now, the sun is up, and it is time to get going. Oh, look! There’s a gazelle! It won’t be hard for me to catch it because I can run up to 70 miles per hour. Let me start sprinting! Yum, that was a good breakfast. Now, I need to teach my three cubs how to hunt. They will live with me until they are one and a half years old. It takes all day of hunting to fill all these bellies! Now, we will return to the shelter of a shady tree for a night of rest. I hope the lions will be quiet tonight!