The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) holds the title of the world’s fastest land mammal, a characteristic that defines its survival as an apex predator. Found primarily across the grasslands and savannas of Africa, this sleek feline is built for explosive speed rather than sustained power. Their habitat provides the open terrain necessary for their unique hunting strategy. The cheetah’s slender frame and specialized anatomy require a consistent energy intake to maintain their demanding lifestyle.
Daily and Weekly Consumption Rates
The average adult cheetah consumes approximately 6.2 pounds (2.8 kilograms) of meat per day to maintain its physical condition. This daily average masks a reality of sporadic feeding, as a lone adult typically secures a large kill only once every two to five days. They must gorge themselves to store energy for the days in between hunts.
During a successful hunt, a cheetah can consume up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of meat in a single sitting before the kill is lost to competitors. This ability to ingest a substantial meal is an adaptation to their feast-or-famine existence. A female raising cubs has a far more strenuous schedule, often needing to make a kill every day to provide sufficient nourishment for herself and her growing litter.
Primary Prey and Dietary Composition
The cheetah diet is composed almost entirely of fresh meat, with a strong preference for medium-sized ungulates. Thomson’s gazelles are a common primary target, along with impalas and springbok, which generally weigh between 44 and 132 pounds (20 and 60 kilograms). Cheetahs rarely target larger prey, as these animals are difficult to bring down and pose a high risk of injury.
Smaller prey items supplement the diet, especially for younger hunters or during periods of scarcity. These supplementary meals include hares, small birds, and the calves of larger herd animals. Unlike many other large carnivores, cheetahs are fastidious eaters, preferring to hunt their own food and seldom consuming carrion.
The Impact of Hunting Success on Feeding
A cheetah relies on a short burst of speed, meaning it is not physically equipped to defend its catch against stronger carnivores. Predators such as lions and spotted hyenas frequently steal kills from cheetahs, a phenomenon known as kleptoparasitism. This constant threat of theft forces the cheetah to eat with urgency.
Following a successful chase, the cheetah must often drag the carcass to cover and begin feeding immediately, consuming a large portion of the meat quickly. If a more powerful predator approaches, the cheetah will often abandon the kill without a fight to avoid injury. Injury could severely impair its ability to hunt, reinforcing the reality that a major kill must sustain them for several days.