What Is a Cheetah?
A cheetah is a mammal in the cat family. It has fur, breathes air and eats meat.
Most cheetahs live in grasslands in Africa. They need open space to run.
Cheetah
A cheetah is a slim wild cat. It has golden fur, black spots, long legs and a long tail. A cheetah can run very fast.
Fun Facts About Cheetahs
- A cheetah is the fastest animal on land.
- A cheetah has black spots.
- A baby cheetah is called a cub.
- Cheetahs can chirp and purr.
Easy learning for little ones
Talk and Move
Try one short prompt at a time. Children can point, speak or copy the movement.
- 1
Point to the cheetah's spots.
- 2
Say “cheetah” and find its long tail.
- 3
Move your arms quickly, then stop and rest.
Home, Food and Movement
- Home: grasslands in Africa
- Food: meat from small animals
- Movement: walks and runs very fast
- Sound: chirps, purrs and growls
Easy Practice Sentences
Easy: I see a cheetah.
Medium: The cheetah has black spots.
Challenge: The cheetah runs across the grass.
Say each sentence aloud and point to the picture.
Activity Idea
Make a spotty cheetah picture.
- Draw a slim cheetah shape.
- Add four long legs and a long tail.
- Colour its fur golden and add black spots.
- Tell a grown-up how your cheetah moves.
This activity helps children draw, speak and notice patterns.
Cheetah Body Parts
- Eyes: help the cheetah see
- Legs: help it run fast
- Paws: help it grip the ground
- Tail: helps it balance
- Spots: cover its golden fur
Look and Think
- Can you point to the black spots?
- How many legs does the cheetah have?
- Can you find its long tail?
- Does the cheetah look ready to run?
Learning Safely About Cheetahs
- Cheetahs are wild animals. Never go near one.
- Never touch or feed a cheetah.
- Stay with a grown-up at the zoo.
- Always stay behind the safety fence.
Compare and Think
- Cheetah and leopard: both have spots, but a cheetah is slimmer
- Cheetah and lion: both are wild cats, but a cheetah has spots
- Cheetah and tiger: a cheetah has spots and a tiger has stripes
Cheetah Family and Social Life
A mother cheetah looks after her cubs. She keeps them close and safe.
Cheetah cubs play and learn. They practise running as they grow.
Why Cheetahs Need Protection
Cheetahs need safe grasslands, food and clean water.
People can protect the land where cheetahs live.
Cheetah Words to Learn
- Cub: a baby cheetah
- Spot: a small dark mark
- Sprint: a very fast run
- Tail: a body part that helps with balance
- Habitat: an animal’s home
Check understanding
Quick Questions
Say each answer aloud. Then check it with a grown-up.
Q1
What pattern is on a cheetah’s fur?
Answer
A cheetah has black spots.
Q2
How does a cheetah move?
Answer
A cheetah can run very fast.
Q3
What is a baby cheetah called?
Answer
A baby cheetah is called a cub.
Q4
Where do most cheetahs live?
Answer
Most cheetahs live in Africa.