Cheetahs are shy and are not very sociable with each other.These speedy mammals live for about 8 years in the wild; in zoos, they have a life span of about 10 years. Cheetahs are an endangered species.

Anatomy: Adult cheetahs are a rich, tawny brown with dark spots. They have long tear-drop shaped lines on both sides of the nose, extending from the corner of the eyes to the mouth. Adult male cheetahs are up to 7 feet (2.15 m) long, weighing up to 125 pounds (55 kg). Adult females are slightly smaller, up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long, weighing about 100 pounds (45 kg). Cheetahs have a long tail that lets them make very abrupt turns. Cubs have dark fur and are born blind.

Diet: Cheetahs are carnivores (meat-eaters). They eat animals like impalas, gazelles, rabbits, birds, and other small animals.

Habitat: Cheetahs live in Africa and southwestern Asia in temperate grasslands and tropical savannas.