Cheetah in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Narok, Kenya

High atop a termite mound in the Maasai Mara National Reserve—a protected savanna in southwestern Kenya—a cheetah scans the plains.

Its sleek body can reach speeds of over 100 km/h, making it the fastest land mammal on Earth.

Long legs and a flexible spine allow incredible acceleration, while its strong tail helps maintain balance during high-speed chases.

With fewer than 7,100 individuals left in the wild, these are among Africa's most vulnerable big cats.