Marcos - Cheetahs

Published in the United States by Xist Publishing www.xistpublishing.com PO Box 61593 Irvine, CA 92602 2013 Text by Victoria Marcos All images licensed from Fotolia All rights reserved No portion of this book may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher All images licensed from Fotolia First Edition eISBN: 978-1-62395-502-1 ePib ISBN: 978-1-62395-503-8 My favorite animals are cheetahs. Would you like to learn about them? Cheetahs are large cats living in most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. Cheetahs live in open areas like semi-desert, prairie, and thick brush, grasslands, savannas, and also areas of dense vegetation, and in the mountains. Adult cheetahs weigh from 45 to 160 pounds and are 65 to 100 inches long from nose to tail. Males are just a little bit bigger than females so it is hard to tell males and females apart. Black tear marks on the cheetahs face help keep sunlight out of its eyes.

It also helps them when theyre hunting and seeing long distances. Do You Remember? Where would a cheetah live? Check and see if youre right at the end of this book! Cheetahs are the fastest land animal on earth. Although they can reach 75 mph, they can only run that fast for a short distance. They can accelerate from 0 62 mph in three seconds. Thats faster than most sports cars! Cheetahs have very large nostrils, hearts and lungs. Cheetahs have semi-retractable claws that give them great grip on the ground. Cheetahs have semi-retractable claws that give them great grip on the ground.

Theyre able to make sharp turns using their tail as a rudder. Cheetahs kill their prey by tripping it during the chase, then biting it on the neck. They eat as fast as possible before stronger predators come by and steal their food. Cheetahs use their vision to find prey rather than their sense of smell. When they find something to hunt, cheetahs will sneak up on their prey and then sprint after it. Do You Remember? How fast can a cheetah run? Check and see if youre right at the end of this book! Most of the time, cheetahs live alone. Do You Remember? How fast can a cheetah run? Check and see if youre right at the end of this book! Most of the time, cheetahs live alone.

Males may form a group, called a coalition, and live together for life, usually with their brothers of the same litter. Females live alone, except when theyre raising their cubs. Otherwise, females are solitary and avoid each other. Some mother/daughter pairs are formed for short periods of time. Although females dont live with each other they do live near their daughters, mothers, or sisters. Cheetah cubs are born with their spots and tear marks. Cheetah cubs are born with their spots and tear marks.

The first eighteen months of a cubs life are crucial. To survive, cubs must learn how to hunt and avoid predators. Do You Remember? When will a cheetah cub begin hunting with its mother? Check and see if youre right at the end of this book! My favorite thing about cheetahs is that even though they can run really fast, they get really tired afterwards. Look how cute they are! Whats your favorite thing about cheetahs? Glossary Accelerate: To move faster. Carnivore: Meat eater. Dense vegetation: Different types of trees or plants growing in a small area.

Grassland: Land that is covered mostly by grasses Predators: Animals that eat other animals. Rudder: A thing that helps turn something. Savannah: An area like open woodlands but with shorter trees and more spread apart. Semi-desert: An area often located between a desert and a grassland or woodland. Solitary: Being alone. Sprint: A burst of speed for a short period of time.