Cheetahs are recognized as the fastest land animals, known for their incredible speed and agility. As carnivores, their diet consists entirely of meat. Their specialized hunting techniques and prey choices directly influence their eating habits and survival. Understanding what and how much cheetahs consume provides insight into their ecological role.
What Cheetahs Eat
Cheetahs primarily feed on small to medium-sized hoofed mammals, often called ungulates. Their diet frequently includes gazelles, impalas, and springboks. These prey animals typically weigh between 20 to 60 kilograms, making them manageable targets for a cheetah, which often hunts alone.
When larger prey is scarce, cheetahs adapt their diet to include smaller animals like hares, small mammals, and various bird species. While they prefer fresh kills, cheetahs rarely scavenge for food, distinguishing them from other large African predators.
How Much They Consume Daily
An adult cheetah typically consumes 2.8 to 3 kg (6.2 to 6.6 lbs) of meat per day. This daily average can vary significantly depending on hunting success and prey availability. Unlike predators that eat small amounts frequently, cheetahs often gorge themselves after a successful hunt.
After a large kill, a cheetah might eat up to 10 kg (22 lbs) of meat in a single sitting. Following such a substantial meal, a cheetah may not need to eat again for two to five days. Females with cubs, however, may need to hunt daily to provide enough food for their young.
How Their Diet Varies
A cheetah’s diet and food intake are influenced by several factors, including age, geographical location, and physiological state. Younger cheetahs, particularly cubs, rely on their mother for food and gradually learn hunting skills, transitioning from milk to meat. As they mature, their prey choices expand.
Geographical location plays a role as prey availability differs across habitats. For instance, in open grasslands, cheetahs efficiently pursue swift antelopes, while in denser environments, their diet might shift towards smaller animals. A cheetah’s physiological state, such as pregnancy or lactation, increases its energy requirements, leading to more frequent and larger meals.
Hunting for Food
Cheetahs employ unique hunting strategies. They are primarily diurnal hunters, active during the early morning and late afternoon. This daytime activity helps them avoid competition and confrontation with larger, nocturnal predators like lions and hyenas.
Cheetahs typically stalk prey, getting within 70 to 100 meters (230 to 330 feet) before initiating a high-speed chase. Their sprints, reaching up to 110 km/h (68 mph), are short-lived, usually lasting about 20 seconds over an average distance of 170 meters. Once caught, the cheetah suffocates prey by biting its throat. Due to the risk of losing their kill to scavengers, cheetahs must eat quickly, often dragging prey to a hidden spot if possible.