Cheetahs are an ideal candidate species for this research as they offer a novel route of study in felids due to the unusual social structure in which they live. Male cheetahs can form pack-like groups from a young age, referred to as coalitions, in which they live and hunt together, potentially for life. Females typically live solitary lives on large home ranges and typically do not interact with other cheetahs unless through mating, raising cubs, or overlapping home ranges with other females.

This research will examine potential differences in problem-solving abilities between male pack and female solitary hunters within Acinonyx jubatus to offer insight into the role of social structure on intraspecific cognitive abilities.