1. How Long Cheetahs Run at Full Speed Each Day: 45 Seconds on Average
Cheetahs are said to reach top speeds of 100 to 120 km/h (about 62 to 75 mph). However, they can only maintain this speed for about 200 to 300 meters (about 0.12 to 0.19 miles), which takes only a few dozen seconds [8]. Because these figures often appear in tourism or children's introductions, they should be taken as general estimates rather than exact rules.
So, how much time do they actually spend running each day? A 2014 study published in the journal *Science*, covering 19 cheetahs in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana and a reserve in South Africa, found that the average daily full-speed sprint was about 45 seconds, and a single chase lasted about 38 seconds [4]. This works out to less than one minute of running per day.
What is more surprising is how they use energy. The energy consumed on days with chases was almost the same as on days without chases. Most of their energy was used for walking around while looking for prey [4]. However, this is the average for the 19 cheetahs studied and may not apply to every cheetah. Running is essentially the final scene of the hunt. Before that, choosing the right prey is crucial. Next, we look at the size of animals cheetahs prefer to hunt.
2. Why Wild Cheetahs Prefer Hoofed Herbivores Weighing 23 to 56 kg
Wild cheetahs prefer to hunt hoofed herbivores (ungulates) weighing approximately 23 to 56 kg (about 51 to 123 lbs). These figures come from previous research cited in a study in Kenya. Animals such as blesboks, impalas, Thomson's gazelles, Grant's gazelles, and springboks are commonly chosen, while prey outside this weight range is less frequently selected [2].
A weight of 56 kg is similar to the weight of a middle school student or an adult. Cheetahs often weigh around 40 kg (about 88 lbs), so they target prey that is about the same weight as themselves or slightly heavier [7].
Prey of this size is a formidable opponent, even in terms of speed. In a study of individuals in Botswana, cheetahs and impalas were found to have higher overall athletic ability than lions and zebras [5]. Prey animals can also evade predators using their agility at lower speeds. Therefore, it is said that predators need to ensure a success rate. However, the range of 23 to 56 kg is simply their preference; in reality, they eat animals of all sizes [2]. Next, we see how their food changes depending on where they live.
3. How a Cheetah's Common Prey Changes From Region to Region
A cheetah's diet varies greatly by location. According to data from San Diego Zoo Global, across East Africa, Thomson's gazelles make up 22 percent, Grant's gazelles 21.4 percent, and impalas 15.6 percent of their diet. However, in the Serengeti, Thomson's gazelles account for 56 to 89 percent; in the Kalahari, springboks make up 86.9 percent; and in southern Africa, impalas comprise 65 to 85 percent. The main prey species changes depending on the region [1]. These figures vary based on the location and method of study, so they should be viewed as estimates rather than fixed numbers.
In a survey of the southeastern part of Kruger National Park in South Africa, prey consisted of nine species, with impalas being the most common. About 61 percent of the prey were young animals, and 39 percent were adults. Of the 18 adult impalas studied, 78 percent (about 14) were males [3]. When combining data from 10 savanna sites, medium-sized prey weighing 18 to 65 kg (about 40 to 143 lbs) made up about 60 percent of the total diet [3]. Note that the 60 percent figure is a total for the 10 sites, not a value for each individual location.
They also eat smaller animals. In a study of 27 fecal samples in southeastern Kenya, Grant's gazelles were the most common, and Cape hares were found in 22 percent of the samples, making them the second most common. Baboons, monkeys, and hyraxes were also recorded as cheetah prey for the first time [2]. However, the sample size was only 27, and this result is from one location. Outside protected areas, they also eat livestock.
4. How Cheetahs Eat Their Kill and Why They Sometimes Finish Quickly
Cheetahs tear open the belly of their prey with their teeth and start eating from the large muscles. They usually avoid the skin and bones. A group of four cheetahs can finish an impala in about 15 minutes. It is said they can eat up to 14 kg (about 31 lbs) at one time, but this is an upper limit and not their usual amount [1].
What is known as a reason they hurry is theft. Stronger animals like lions and hyenas may steal their kill. Being active during the day is also said to help avoid conflicts with these larger carnivores [8].
Is losing a kill a major loss? In the 2014 study mentioned earlier, kills were stolen about once every 10 times. Calculations suggest that even if half the prey is stolen, the energy balance is maintained, and the loss can be compensated for by hunting for an additional hour [4]. However, another survey in the Serengeti found a theft rate of up to 12.9 percent, so about 10 percent is a general estimate. Running for 45 seconds a day and losing about 10 percent of kills still allows them to survive. This energy balance calculation helps us understand their diet. So, what do cheetahs eat in zoos?
5. What Zoo Cheetahs Eat: Horse Meat and About 1,800 Kilocalories a Day
Surveys show that zoo cheetahs eat an average of about 1.32 kg (about 2.9 lbs) per day, providing approximately 1,800 kilocalories. When 13 zoos were surveyed, 10 of them used horse meat-based food as their staple. Once or twice a week, they are given whole meat or meat with bones to provide variety and stimulate their teeth. Seven zoos implemented a day with no food each week [6]. This survey focused mainly on North America and may not apply directly to Japanese zoos.
As an example from Japan, at Tama Zoological Park in Hino, Tokyo, adult cheetahs weighing about 40 kg (about 88 lbs) are fed 1.5 to 1.7 kg (about 3.3 to 3.7 lbs) of horse meat and chicken heads combined per day (based on an interview with keepers in 2019) [7]. If you divide 1.6 kg by the cheetah's weight of 40 kg, you get about 4 percent, meaning they eat about 4 percent of their body weight. The amount varies by individual and season.
In the wild, they choose large muscles, while in zoos, variety is added through horse meat and bone-in meat. Differences in food are also differences in location and lifestyle.
How to check cheetah diets yourself
Things you can do at home: Watch a clock and measure 45 seconds. This is the reported average daily sprint time for the 19 cheetahs studied. You can feel with your body whether this seems short or long. For the zoo diet example, 4 percent of a 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs) bag of rice is 160 grams (4,000 × 0.04 = 160). This is the same ratio as the Tama Zoological Park example (1.6 kg divided by 40 kg = 0.04). Measure 160 grams of rice and lift it to compare it with the bag.
Things you can do at the zoo: Look for information boards at cheetah exhibits or notices about feeding times. They may state what kind of meat is given and how often.
How to research: Official websites of Japanese zoos often have introductions to cheetah care. Search for Japanese pages and compare them with the information about horse meat and quantities in this article.