Table 1 Behaviours performed by cheetahs that were used to label accelerometer data

Crouch

Sedentary; ventral surface lowered to ground; feet parallel to body; forelimbs flexed

Stalk—crouching

Sedentary; crouched posture with head lowered, aligned with spine; attention focussed on lure

Lie

Crouched posture with forelimbs straightened OR sedentary; lateral surface on ground; head upright

Stalk—lying

Sedentary; lying posture with head lowered, aligned with spine; attention focussed on lure

Sit

Sedentary; posterior on ground; forelimbs straightened and anterior upright

Stalk—sitting

Sedentary; sitting posture with head lowered, parallel with or pointed towards ground; attention focussed on lure

Stand

Sedentary; only feet in contact with ground; limbs straightened and animal upright

Stalk—standing

Sedentary; standing posture with head lowered, aligned with spine or pointed towards ground; attention focussed on lure

Walk

Mobile; slow-paced movement; four-beat movement; all limbs move sequentially

Stalk—walking

Mobile; walking gait with head lowered, aligned with spine or pointed towards ground; attention focussed on lure

Flying Trot

Mobile; slow-paced movement; two-beat movement; diagonals appear to move in tandem; suspension period between diagonal movements; forelimb raised before ipsilateral hind limb lands

Stalk—trotting

Mobile; trotting gait with head lowered, aligned with spine or pointed towards ground; attention focussed on lure

Canter

Mobile; fast-paced; head and spine not aligned (head raised); asymmetric gait; three-beat movement (1-2-1); order = hind limb, diagonal limbs, forelimb

Eating—crouching

Sedentary; crouched posture whilst eating

Rotatory Gallop

Mobile; fast-paced; head and spine aligned; four-beat movement; trunk flexion and extension occurs; two suspensions, one after the second hind limb is raised and one after the lead forelimb is raised; order = sequential hind limbs, extended suspension, sequential forelimbs, collected suspension

Eating—lying

Sedentary; lying posture whilst eating

Bite

Head movement; Single movement of opening and closing mouth in an attempt to obtain food

Sniffing—sitting

Sedentary; sitting posture whilst sniffing

Eat

Head movement; Processing food already in mouth

Sniffing—standing

Sedentary; standing posture whilst sniffing

Sniff

Head movement; Head moves forward and upward whilst inhaling air through nose

Pounce

Single movement of an animal bounding off the ground in an attempt to catch the lure