Prey preferences of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Part of Hayward's comparative prey-preference series, this study quantified cheetah prey selection across study sites by relating kill records to prey availability. Cheetahs preferentially took medium-sized antelope, with a preferred prey weight around 23-56 kg, favoring species such as Thomson's gazelle, impala, springbok and the young of larger ungulates. The analysis showed cheetahs avoid very large and gregarious prey that they cannot safely tackle alone, reflecting their light build and reliance on high-speed pursuit. The authors derived a preferred-prey body-mass window and discussed how prey choice interacts with kleptoparasitism risk from lions and hyenas. The work underpins habitat-suitability and reintroduction assessments for the species.