Name: ____________________________________ Date: ____________

CHEETAH RI.3.1

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals on earth. A cheetah has slim long, muscular legs and a slender body. Its head is small and rounded. A cheetah also has a flexible spine, deep chest and special pads on its feet for traction. A long tail helps the cheetah balance when it’s making quick turns as it hunts. Cheetahs run short distances for 20- 60 seconds at speeds up to 70 miles per hour.

Cheetahs are the smallest member of the big cat family usually weighing 110 - 140 pounds. A distinct marking sets them apart from other cats. A long black line runs from the inside of each eye down to the mouth. Scientists describe it as a “tear drop” marking and believe it’s to protect the cheetah’s eyes from the harsh sunlight and helps them see long distances.

Cheetahs don’t roar like other big cats. They do have a very loud purr when they groom themselves. They also whine, growl, hiss and make a birdlike chirping sound. The noises are very distinct and different from noises other big cats make. Cheetahs can’t climb trees, like other big cats because they have blunt claws.

Cheetahs used to live all over Africa and Asia, but today they’re only found in parts of eastern, central and southwestern Africa and small sections of Iran. They live in the biome known as the savannah where they rely on tall grasses for camouflage when they hunt.

Because they have poor night vision, cheetahs generally hunt in the late morning or early evening unlike other big cats. Cheetahs primarily hunt Thomson gazelles, impalas, and baby hoofed animals like wildebeest calves, but will catch other smaller animals like hares.

A cheetah will get as close as it can to its prey, then with a burst of speed, it will try to outrun it. Once the cheetah catches up with the animal, it knocks it to the ground with its paw and suffocates it with a bite to the neck. A cheetah eats quickly because other predators like hyenas, vultures and jackals, will aggressively try to steal what they catch.

Cheetahs are solitary animals. Female cheetahs raise their cubs alone. There are often 2 -4 cubs in a litter and mothers often move their cubs to new hiding places every few days. At five weeks old, the cubs follow their mother and learn how to eat from her kills. Often mothers bring back small animals to their cubs to teach them how to hunt and catch prey.

The cheetah population has declined over the last 100 years. In 1900, there were approximately 100,000 cheetah in Africa and Asia. Today it’s estimated there are only 9,000 to 12,000 cheetahs left on earth. The future of the cheetah is uncertain.

Name: ___________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Cheetah RI.3.1

1. What does the word “aggressively” mean in paragraph 16?A. fiercelyB. carefullyC. instinctivelyD. peacefully

2. What does the word “solitary” mean in paragraph 7.A. friendlyB. quickC. aloneD. shy

3. The word “camouflage” in paragraph 4 means:A. foodB. preyC. noisesD. disguise

4. Which of these statements is an opinion. Circle one.A. Cheetahs are solitary animalsB. Cheetahs are beautiful animals. C. Cheetahs run fast for short distances D. Cheetah mothers teach their cubs to hunt.

5. Circle one. The author wrote this article to:A. Explain how the cheetah raises its young. B. Describe how the cheetah hunts C. Persuade readers to learn more about cheetahs.D. Inform readers that cheetahs are good hunters.

6. Circle the letter of the correct answer. The answer is found in paragraph _____.According to the article, a cheetah’s tail is

A. short B. long C. furry D. wide

7. Why do cheetahs sneak up on their prey? The answer is found in paragraph _____.A. They don’t like the heat.B. They don’t like to run.C. They only see well during the day.D. They can only run short distances at a high rate of speed.

Answer Key: RI.3.11. A2. B3. D4. B5. C6. B7. D