HUNTING HIGHER PREY

Cheetahs depend on their speed. It is the one advantage they lord over all land animals. That advantage doubles as their greatest weakness. If an injury impairs the cheetah's ability to run, it impairs the big cat's ability to hunt and feed as well. To tackle dangerous prey is to risk injury and potential starvation, which is why cheetahs typically stick to hunting weaker animals, such as Thomson's gazelle. Even lions may shy away from the likes of the beisa oryx, with their horns.