another 2000 cheetahs are captive in zoos and reserves in o

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African Animals

• The Cheetah
• by
• Curt Tiffany

Note While this example of a presentation does
not pay much attention to the unit question, it
is an example of a well-researched presentation
and includes multimedia. This text box can be
deleted.
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Where to find a cheetah
Most cheetahs are found in Africa, though they
used to live in the Middle East and India as well.
Namibia, a small country in Africa, is the
cheetah capital of the world. With over 2000
cheetahs, Namibia is home to about 1/6th of the
worlds 12,000 cheetahs.
Another 2000 cheetahs are captive in zoos and
reserves in other parts of the world.
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HABITAT
Cheetahs live in wooded grassland savannahs.
They can be found among their prey, hoofed
animals that feed on grass.
Cheetahs hunt during the day, Their low stature
allows them to sneak through tall grass.
Grasslands are good grazing grounds for cattle
and sheep.
Water holes may be important for the cheetahs
prey, but the cheetah gets most of its water from
the animals it eats.
This causes conflict between humans and cheetahs.

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Built for Speed

• Small head ---low wind resistance
• Long, muscular legs---fast strides, up to 25 feet
• Large heart and lungs ---lots of oxygen
• Non-retracting claws traction and stability at
  great speeds
• Long tail---balance and agility at high speeds

• The Cheetah can run at speeds up to 70 mph for
  distances up to 1000 yards.

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How Fast is Fast?
The 200 Meter Dash Michael Johnson,
world record holder 19.32 seconds.
Cheetah 6.0 7.0 seconds.
Microsoft Clipart
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Race Car Speed
Acceleration
Cheetah 0 to 45 mph in two seconds.  Ferrari
0 to 45 mph in four seconds.
(Which would you rather try to outrun?)
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Top Speed Comparison
Miles per hour
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Hunting and Food

• The cheetah sneaks within 100 feet of its prey.
  Then, racing at close to 70 miles an hour, it
  pounces, quickly pulling down its prey.

The cheetahs small jaw doesnt allow it to
inflict a fatal bite, so the cat presses on the
throat of its victim until it suffocates.
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The Cheetah is part of an energy web.
The cheetah is a primary predator. It eats
antelope and other herbivores. It falls prey to
other predators only when very young or old. It
gives energy back through its waste and
decomposition.
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Physical Features

• Coloration fur is yellowish, with dark spots,
  allowing the cheetah to hide in grasses or
  dappled shade.
• Length up to 6 feet in length, about one-third
  of this is the long rudder-like tail.
• Weight up to 125 pounds.
• It chirps and purrs, instead of roaring

• Mortality half of cheetahs born live to
  independent adulthood.
• Lifespan from 12 to 14 years on average.

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Family Life

• Cheetahs are born in litters of one to six cubs.
  The mother feeds them for two years until they
  develop hunting skills of their own. Most female
  cheetahs hunt alone. Males hang together to
  hunt and look for mates.

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Future of the Cheetah
The cheetah population is in decline
Although the cheetah is a protected animal, many
are still hunted. Unless drastic measures are
taken they will eventually be found only in zoos
and wildlife parks.
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Works Cited

• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County at
  http//www.lam.mus.ca.us/cats/encyclo/jubatus/inde
  x.htm
• The Cheetah Spot at
• http//www.cheetahspot.com/
• Cheetah Outreach at
• http//www.cheetah.co.za/
• PBS Cheetahs in a hot spot at http//www.pbs.org/
  wnet/nature/cheetahs/
• The Trade Environment Database (TED) at
• http//www.american.edu/ted/cheetah.htm
• Christinas Big Cats of the World
• http//home.iprimus.com.au/tigris/cheetah.htm
• Tanzania Photographs by Hugh Thomas
• http//www.hughnjudy.freeuk.com/tanzania.htm

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Works Cited Speed Comparisons

• http//balancedassessment.gse.harvard.edu/docs/hl0
  66.doc
• http//www.epva.org/Donation/animal3.htm
• http//www.pbs.org/edens/canyonlands/canyonlands.h
  tm
• http//www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/Endangered/dog/
  dog.html
• http//www.hlla.com/reference/anafr-cheetahs.html
  
• http//archives.emazing.com/archives/science/2000-
  04-11