Why do cheetahs usually hunt during the day?

Unlike most other carnivores, cheetahs are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active and hunt mainly during the day, specifically in the early morning and late afternoon.1

This behavioral adaptation allows them to avoid direct competition with larger, more dominant nocturnal or crepuscular predators, such as lions, leopards, and hyenas. By hunting during daylight hours, cheetahs can consume their prey quickly before these stronger competitors arrive to steal their kill.1