From the comments on the article you linked, the cheetahs happily ate the impala. Go to http://www.biosphoto.com/ and search for “cheetah AND impala”. You’ll find these photos as well as the ones from a few minutes later...
Is your theory that cats playing with live food before killing it is, in general, an effect of the food’s cuteness?
Also in the comments, the assertion that the impala that was eaten was an adult eaten earlier. Once sated, the cheetahs were not interested in eating the younger impala.
True, it’s not clear which is the complete account. At the very least, photos of some impala(s) being eaten and of this one being played with were seemingly taken in one session.
Do we know whether adult non-primate mammals find anything cute?
Very occasionally
And not for long.
From the comments on the article you linked, the cheetahs happily ate the impala. Go to http://www.biosphoto.com/ and search for “cheetah AND impala”. You’ll find these photos as well as the ones from a few minutes later...
Is your theory that cats playing with live food before killing it is, in general, an effect of the food’s cuteness?
I believe that’s a different sort of play, consisting of repeated chasing and catching.
Also in the comments, the assertion that the impala that was eaten was an adult eaten earlier. Once sated, the cheetahs were not interested in eating the younger impala.
True, it’s not clear which is the complete account. At the very least, photos of some impala(s) being eaten and of this one being played with were seemingly taken in one session.