Nile crocodiles on occasion prey on big cats including lions and leopards. However, in order to save energy, crocodiles do not prefer such agile animals, as most attacks will end before they can strike. Thus they usually attack agile prey in the absence of regular prey items. Other large carnivores that dwell in Africa near the top of the food chain can also on occasion fall prey to crocodiles. Such predators that can find themselves victim to crocodiles include hyenas (3 out of 4 species reported as prey for Nile crocodiles, only the desert-dwelling brown ("Hyaena brunnea") being excluded), African wild dogs, jackals, and cheetahs ("Acinonyx jubatus").