Research overview: cheetah prey selection and gazelle specialization

Cheetahs specialize on small to medium antelope, with gazelles forming the dietary core across much of their range. This overview synthesizes kill and scat studies showing that cheetahs favor prey they can catch in a short sprint and subdue without prolonged struggle, typically gazelle, impala, springbok, and the young of larger antelope, while coalition males can tackle somewhat bigger prey. It reviews how prey size matches the cheetah's lightly built body, how females target prey suitable for feeding cubs, and how local prey communities shape diet. The synthesis links the cheetah's slender build and hunting style to a particular prey niche. For enthusiasts it explains why cheetahs concentrate on fleet, modestly sized antelope rather than the large, dangerous prey lions tackle, and how the cat's anatomy, speed, and avoidance of risky struggles together define what it hunts.