The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an obligate carnivore, meaning its diet is composed almost entirely of meat. As the fastest land animal, the cheetah is a highly specialized predator whose physiology is adapted for the pursuit and acquisition of prey in arid and semi-arid grassland habitats. This specialization dictates a hunting strategy entirely dependent on speed and precision.
Primary Prey and Dietary Staples
The bulk of the cheetah’s diet consists of small to medium-sized ungulates, which are hoofed mammals generally weighing under 90 pounds (40 kg). These prey animals offer the ideal size for a lone cheetah to successfully hunt, take down, and consume before competitors arrive. The most common dietary staples include Thomson’s gazelles, impala, and springbok, all known for their high speed and agility.
In the Serengeti, Thomson’s gazelle is a primary food source, while impala are frequently targeted in the woodlands of Eastern and Southern Africa. Cheetahs also take the young of larger ungulates, such as wildebeest or warthogs, which are more manageable than their adult counterparts.
Cheetahs rarely scavenge and prefer fresh kills. Smaller animals, such as hares, rabbits, and ground birds, are supplementary and hunted opportunistically. Because they prefer fresh meat, cheetahs are often forced to abandon their catch to larger predators like lions and hyenas.
Hunting Techniques and Prey Acquisition
Cheetah hunting begins with intense observation, often from an elevated position like a termite mound, allowing the predator to scan the open savanna. The cheetah uses its keen eyesight to spot a suitable target, selecting an individual that appears isolated, young, or less vigilant. Once a target is selected, the cheetah employs a low, stealthy stalk to get within 70 to 100 meters of the prey, using tall grasses for camouflage.
The hunt’s defining moment is an explosive burst of speed, accelerating from a near-standstill to over 60 miles per hour in a few seconds. This full-speed sprint is short-lived, usually lasting only about 20 to 30 seconds due to immense energy expenditure and rapid buildup of body heat.
If successful, the cheetah uses its curved dewclaw to hook the prey’s flank or leg, tripping it to the ground. The kill is accomplished not by a crushing bite to the neck, but by a suffocating grip on the throat or windpipe. This hold is maintained for several minutes until the prey expires.
Nutritional Needs and Water Consumption
The fresh, high-protein diet provides the cheetah with almost all of its necessary nutrients, including essential amino acids and fats. As an obligate carnivore, the cheetah requires nutrients like taurine, an amino acid found exclusively in animal tissue, which is vital for cardiovascular and retinal health. The consumption of organs and muscle tissue meets these specific requirements.
The diet also plays a significant role in the cheetah’s water conservation strategy. The high moisture content of fresh meat, including the blood and tissues, supplies a substantial amount of the water the animal needs. Cheetahs have exceptionally low water requirements, often needing to drink standing water only once every four to ten days. An adult cheetah typically consumes about 6.2 pounds (2.8 kg) of meat per day.