How Cheetahs Hunt
Cheetahs are built for speed, and they use it to hunt their food. They can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just a few seconds, which is faster than most cars! First, they sneak up close to their prey, usually by staying low and moving slowly through tall grass. Then, when they’re close enough, they explode into a high speed chase. They have long legs, a flexible spine, and claws that don’t fully retract, which gives them better grip. Cheetahs usually hunt during the day when other big predators like lions and hyenas aren’t as active. This helps them avoid losing their hard earned meals. Their hunting style is quick, focused, and relies more on speed than strength or teamwork.
When it comes to food, cheetahs mostly eat small to medium sized animals like gazelles, impalas, hares, and birds. They don’t go after large animals like lions do. After a cheetah catches its prey, it will often drag it to a quiet place to eat. This is because other animals like hyenas or vultures might try to steal the meal. Cheetahs don’t have the strength to fight them off, especially after using so much energy during a chase. That’s why they usually eat fast and stay alert. Once they finish running, they need time to rest and catch their breath. This makes them vulnerable for a while. Their diet and hunting style are different from other big cats, which is one reason cheetahs are so unique and interesting to learn about.
Cheetahs are unique to other big cats since they cannot roar, instead they purr which can be heard in the following audio clip: