The Matriarch (Photo and Comment Stephen Oachs)
This beautiful cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), a protective mother of five, watches cautiously from atop a termite mound as two lions slowly approach her family through African grasslands. She stands ready to protect her young cubs…at any cost[…
Related articles
- Animal Olympics: The Fastest Critters on Earth [Slide Show] (scientificamerican.com)



![The Matriarch (Photo and Comment Stephen Oachs)
This beautiful cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), a protective mother of five, watches cautiously from atop a termite mound as two lions slowly approach her family through African grasslands. She stands ready to protect her young cubs…at any cost[…
Related articles
Animal Olympics: The Fastest Critters on Earth [Slide Show] (scientificamerican.com)](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbdencQqDw1qa944oo1_1280.jpg)