How Do Cheetahs Survive in the Wild?

David Dennis/CC-BY-SA 2.0

Cheetahs survive in the wild by hunting during the day, blending in with their environment, stalking and then pouncing on their prey. Cheetahs use their remarkable speed to their advantage.

Wild cheetahs are native to eastern and southwestern Africa. They inhabit savannas, where the open areas help them to move quickly for stalking and chasing.

Cheetahs mostly eat hoofed mammals, such as gazelles and young wildebeest. They also eat smaller game when food is scarce, such as birds, hares and warthogs. Their spotted coats provide camouflage in the tall grass.

Cheetahs are the fastest land animals and can run up to 60 miles per hour. They sprint after their prey, knock it down and drag it off to keep other predators away. They only need water every 3 to 4 days.

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