The cheetah's habitat is mainly the open savannas and grassland areas in various parts of Africa. There also is a small population of cheetahs in Iran.
Although once cheetahs lived throughout all of Africa and parts of Asia, today’s cheetah population lives primarily in the southern and eastern parts of Africa. Cheetahs are an endangered species; the largest remaining cheetah population is in Namibia.
Cheetahs require wide-open spaces with tall grass to hunt. They prey mostly on gazelles and impalas. Known for speeds up to 70 mph, cheetahs chase down their prey very quickly. Cheetahs weigh up to 140 pounds and live about 12 years.
