A cheetah sprinting across the savanna can look almost unreal in motion. The animal starts low in the grass, completely focused, then suddenly launches into a chase at astonishing speed.

When wildlife travelers (particularly safari fans) discuss the fastest animals in the world, a particular cat from the small cat lineage (Felinae) almost always enters the conversation: the cheetah.

While cheetahs are renowned for their land speed, the animal kingdom boasts surprising speedsters. The Black Marlin and ...