Slower speed, tricky turns give prey a chance against cheetahs and lions
A treasure trove of chase data from the wild shows how to escape more athletic predators
FAST CATS Big cats like this cheetah may be more athletic than their prey, but life-and-death chases are about more than speed. Sharp turns may give prey their best chance at escape.
Antero Topp/shutterstock
First, a note to any impala suddenly rushed by a cheetah: Do not — repeat, do not — just zoom straight off as fast as four hooves can carry you.