Cheetahs, like other African big cats, are carnivorous predators that prey upon smaller- to medium-size mammals such as gazelles, impalas, hares and wildebeest calves.
These hunters rely solely on sight and are diurnal hunters who tend to prefer early morning or evening hunting sessions. They frequently scan termite mounds and kopjes (small rocky hills) in an effort to spot prey that has evaded capture by other means.
Carnivores
Cheetahs belong to the cat family and, like their counterparts such as lions, leopards, jaguars and tigers, are carnivorous predators that feed on small mammals such as antelopes, gazelles and hares. While their spotted coats make them hard to spot from a distance, cheetahs use their speed and agility to hunt their prey with lightning speed; killing gazelles or hares within 30 seconds!
Cheetahs possess jaw structures designed to create a vise-like grip around their prey, suffocating it quickly with just a few bites or kicks to the head. Even larger animals like zebras and giraffes can be killed instantly by this technique.
Cheetahs differ from other members of the cat family by being unable to hold their breath for extended periods, necessitating fast eating to avoid dehydration and regular drinking from rivers or waterholes in their natural environments.
Like other predators, cheetahs must defend their territory from other animals by marking it with urine and feces at specific marking sites that they visit repeatedly. Male cheetahs can become particularly territorial over territories, harems, or females; males will fight each other over territory claims or fight over which females they prefer as partners for mating purposes.
Cheetahs may be strong and fast animals, but they are simply no match for larger predators like lions and hyenas. Additionally, their bodies were designed for speed rather than strength – any major animal could easily strike and injure one; an injured cheetah often results in its demise.
Cheetahs are extremely adaptable creatures that thrive in diverse habitats, although they prefer areas with high concentrations of Thomson’s gazelle for food. Cheetahs typically live 10-12 years in the wild while up to 20 in captivity if fed a diet tailored by veterinarians that includes horse meat, beef, chicken, rabbit and even breastmilk similar to what mothers provide when breastfeeding their young; unfortunately this diet may not be healthy and researchers are searching for alternative foods suitable for captive cheetahs in captivity.
Antelopes
Cheetahs hunt antelopes such as Thompson gazelle, springboks, dik-diks, duikers, impala and steenbok in the wild. Additionally they consume young of larger animals such as warthogs, kudu and oryx as well as various birds, rodents and rabbits for sustenance. Cheetahs may even attack domesticated livestock when necessary to their survival.
Cheetahs must kill approximately 50 percent of their catch each year in order to survive, using jaw structures to clamp down on prey animals’ windpipes and bite through skulls for small creatures like hares. But because they move so rapidly, other predators such as lions, hyenas or groups of vultures often bully away cheetahs from their kills – including humans leaving cubs alone while their mothers go out hunting food.
Antelopes resemble deer but differ by having more legs than them. Antelopes live in numerous habitats such as savannah grasslands, forests (bongo, addax and klipspringer), woodlands and hot/cold deserts; others – like the sable – spend part of their lives semi-aquatic by spending part of their lives living in swamps/wetlands.
Although their body structure makes antelopes vulnerable to predators, many species have developed adaptations that allow them to survive. The addax and bongo have thick horns with vertical stripes for camouflage from predators or potential prey; in contrast, sable has an extremely dense coat which absorbs 40 times its own weight in water while simultaneously dissipating heat from sunlight.
Sable’s horns can be used as weapons, while their eyes have evolved to detect dim light. Their teeth are equipped with sharp points for cutting through meat while their tongues feature spines to help scrape fur from carcasses.
Antelopes tend to live alone, although some species form herds that travel together to find food and protection from predators. Herds are generally overseen by one dominant male. Antelopes generally only live 8 years in the wild before succumbing to predators; in captivity however they have been known to outlive this expectation by several decades!
Birds
Cheetahs differ from other big cats in that they do not often consume birds; instead they will occasionally feast upon the young of some species of antelopes to prevent overgrazing – an essential step toward maintaining an eco-friendly ecosystem.
Cheetahs often feast upon their kill immediately or, if necessary, drag it to nearby cover for later consumption. Their tongues feature tiny spines to help scrape away fur and separate meat from bones more efficiently.
Cheetahs, like other predators, tend to prey upon animals that are old, very young or injured – this helps ensure only the strongest survive to pass on their genes and also keeps prey populations stable.
Cheetahs will consume both ungulates and game birds; specifically hares and small game birds that are easily caught either openly or near the ground. Cheetahs also eat birds nesting within nests like geese and duck eggs as sources of sustenance.
Cheetahs are adept hunters due to their light build and long, thin legs. In addition, their tail acts like a rudder that helps steer and balance as they run.
Cheetahs typically drink from rivers, ponds, or springs in the wild. Additionally, they can gain access to liquid sources via drinking prey body fluids.
Cheetahs can reach speeds of 65 miles per hour when running at full tilt; however, their bodies only require fuel for short bursts. As a result, they can rest and recover in between hunts.
As one of the fastest land mammals, cheetahs have long been subject to myths and misconceptions surrounding their existence. But they play an essential role in nature and should be protected if our planet is to remain balanced. With less than 7,500 left worldwide today, their survival depends on protecting habitat and food sources – therefore protecting these iconic and beautiful animals will only come through education of children regarding cheetahs and their environment as a priority.
Other Animals
Cheetahs are captivating big cats that use speed to capture prey, capable of sprinting at up to 105 miles per hour and overheating quickly during pursuit. Additionally, panting heavily during pursuit can quickly exhaust them; sustained high speeds may only last for minutes at most and then they must rely on agility and eyesight alone to take down prey.
Cheetahs target medium-sized antelopes such as springbok and nyala as primary prey species. They also target smaller prey such as duiker, oribi gemsbok and steenbok for subsistence; among these species Thomson’s gazelle is their preferred prey species. Cheetahs stalk their prey from 60-100 meters (200-330 feet), charge at it and trip it while charging, before pouncing and biting its throat to suffocate their victims before pouching onto its victim for subsistence.
As a general rule, cheetahs do not eat giraffes since they are too tall for them to catch. Instead, they will attack any that come too close to their territory and attack those they feel threatened by.
Cheetahs may be one of the world’s most successful big cats, yet they face numerous threats in their habitat. Competition with other large predators for prey such as leopards and lions makes their survival increasingly uncertain; moreover, they often come under attack by hyenas or other carnivorous animals – particularly in Africa’s savanna regions.
Cheetahs face another obstacle due to their close proximity to human settlements; therefore, they are often hunted and trapped. Their low population also makes them susceptible to illegal wildlife trade.
Cheetah gestation lasts approximately 93 days, giving rise to litters of one to five cubs that are born blind but gradually develop eyesight by around 12 days old. Adult females remain solitary while males live together in coalitions for life with related males in order to fight battles over breeding females and compete for breeding rights among themselves – setting it apart from other big cats with its distinctive social behavior.