The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a specialized predator native to the open grasslands and savannas of Africa, with small populations also existing in Iran. This animal is classified as an obligate carnivore, meaning its diet consists exclusively of meat. Unlike many other felids, the cheetah has evolved a slender, streamlined physique built for explosive acceleration and high-speed pursuit. This unique morphology dictates its entire hunting strategy and, consequently, the types of animals it targets for food. Its physical adaptations limit and define its menu in the wild.
The Primary Prey of Cheetahs
The cheetah’s preferred diet centers on small-to-medium-sized hooved mammals, collectively known as ungulates. They consistently target prey that weighs less than 90 pounds (40 kilograms), with a significant preference for animals in the 50 to 123-pound (23 to 56 kg) range. This selection minimizes the risk of injury during the high-speed takedown and subsequent struggle. The most frequently consumed species are the swift Thomson’s gazelle and impala, which are abundant across much of their range.
Favored meals also include springbok and Grant’s gazelles, which offer a high return for the energy spent on the hunt. While they generally avoid large, powerful animals, cheetahs will successfully hunt the young of bigger species like wildebeest and zebra calves. In areas where primary prey is scarce, a cheetah may supplement its diet with smaller animals such as hares and game birds. The focus remains on medium-sized antelopes that are easily subdued and offer a substantial, quickly consumable meal.
Hunting Techniques and Prey Selection
The cheetah’s hunting methodology is a direct consequence of its specialized body structure and unparalleled speed. The process begins with a careful stalk, where the cheetah uses available cover to approach within 100 yards (91 meters) of its intended victim. Once within striking distance, the cat initiates an explosive, short-distance chase, reaching speeds up to 65 miles per hour (104 km/h). This intense sprint is typically sustained for only about 20 to 30 seconds due to the rapid buildup of body heat and exhaustion.
The success of the hunt depends on quickly closing the distance before its limited endurance is spent. Once alongside the prey, the cheetah uses the non-retractable claw on its foreleg, known as the dewclaw, to hook or trip the animal, knocking it off balance. After the prey is brought down, the cheetah immediately secures a suffocating grip on the throat with its powerful jaw muscles. This method of killing is efficient because their small, conical canines are not suited for inflicting a quick, crushing bite like those of a lion.
Competition and Consumption Habits
The need to secure a quick meal is driven by the constant threat of larger, more dominant predators in the ecosystem. Cheetahs are subordinate carnivores, and their kills are frequently stolen by lions and spotted hyenas, a phenomenon known as kleptoparasitism. This food theft often forces the cheetah to expend energy on hunting again. To mitigate this risk, cheetahs must consume their food rapidly, often eating the majority of the carcass within minutes.
The cat will often drag its kill to the nearest sheltered location, such as a thicket or under a tree, to obscure it from scavengers and competitors. However, they frequently abandon the carcass rather than risk a confrontation with a larger predator. Due to the extreme metabolic effort required for the high-speed chase, the cheetah must also rest after the kill, which leaves it temporarily vulnerable. Although they obtain much of their necessary moisture from their prey, the intense exertion often necessitates seeking out water sources shortly after feeding.