This story appears in the November 2012 issue of National Geographic magazine. Anticipation ripples through the crowd. Fingers tighten around binoculars. Camera lenses snap into focus. No fewer ...

When the rains come to the Masai Mara, life busts forth. The parched plains turn green, and herds of grazing animals come to feed on the lush new pastures. But for wildebeest, zebra and gazelle ...

Cheetahs differ from other big cats in nearly every way from their slim lightweight bodies built for speed to their non-retractable claws that provide extra grip during high-speed chases. Unlike lions ...

The cheetah is the fastest land animal, with a top speed of 60-70 mph. Its muscular build and sharp claws help it maintain traction ...