The cheetah, a type of big cat, is famous for being the fastest land animal on Earth, built like a sleek sprinter with a slender body and long legs. This incredible speed helps the animal survive across the vast grasslands and savannas of Africa, and in a few remote areas of Asia. A cheetah’s entire life is centered around securing its next meal. Learning what they eat and how they catch it gives a clear picture of this hunter’s adaptations.
The Main Menu
Cheetahs are carnivores, which means their diet consists almost entirely of meat, and they prefer to hunt fresh prey rather than scavenge remains. Their menu focuses on small- to medium-sized hoofed animals, known as ungulates, that typically weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kg) when hunted alone. Primary targets are agile antelopes like the Thomson’s gazelle, impala, and springbok. These animals are the perfect size for a single cheetah to subdue and consume quickly. Cheetahs also hunt the calves of larger species, such as young wildebeest or zebra foals, or smaller animals like hares, birds, and other small mammals when necessary.
Hunting Like a Speed Demon
A cheetah’s hunting strategy relies on explosive speed rather than stealth or brute strength. The hunt begins with a careful stalk, using tall grass and terrain to get within 230 to 330 feet (70 to 100 meters) of its target. Once close enough, the cheetah unleashes its acceleration, reaching speeds that can exceed 60 miles per hour (96 km/h) in just a few strides. This chase is usually short, lasting only about 20 seconds, because the cheetah’s specialized “fast twitch” muscle fibers are built for power but lack endurance.
During the high-speed pursuit, the cheetah uses its long, flat tail like a rudder to maintain balance and make sharp turns while chasing zigzagging prey. The non-retractable claws act like cleats or running spikes, providing continuous traction on the ground. The final move involves a specialized dewclaw on the foreleg, which is used to snag the prey’s legs, tripping the animal mid-run. Once the prey is knocked off balance and falls, the cheetah drives its small canine teeth into the throat, causing death by suffocation. This specialized technique is necessary because the cheetah lacks the jaw strength of a lion or leopard to crush the neck bones instantly.
Mealtime Habits
After the demanding hunt, the cheetah must rest for up to 30 minutes to cool down and recover its breath before eating. Adult cheetahs generally hunt and eat alone, unlike social predators such as lions. They rarely scavenge, strongly preferring a fresh meal they killed themselves. Cheetahs are under constant pressure to eat quickly because they are smaller and weaker than other savanna predators. Lions and spotted hyenas routinely steal a cheetah’s kill, forcing the hunter away without a fight.