They don't have the stamina to chase or fight very long. They have to rely on surprise and get the victim down as fast as they can. Wolves will harass them over their kills as the cat tires easily and will leave it's kill to the wolves
“They don’t have the stamina to chase or fight very long. They have to rely on surprise and get the victim down as fast as they can.”
The attack from behind is common with nearly all cats, and is a perfect way for it to make a kill and at the same time protect itself from harm (from hooves, claws, teeth, etc.). Doesn’t necessarily have much to do with stamina or such. It is just the most effective killing method that evolved along with the cat. And it is a fast and effective method of solitary hunting.
Wolves or other canine predators use a chase-to-exhaustion method, with a slow, painful death at the end (usually through disembowelment). But they also hunt in cooperative packs, as opposed to most cats, who are solitary hunters.
Many different methods of hunting out there.