A Male Cheetah profile as it scans the horizon for prey. Taken near Addo Elephant Park in South Africa

The serval, Leptailurus serval, is a medium-sized African wild cat. Modern molecular DNA analysis indicates that servals maintain their own unique lineage descending from the same Felid ancestor as the lion. The serval shares common traits with the cheetah, and it is the cheetah which is thought to have descended from ancient servals.[3] Similar DNA studies have shown the African golden cat and the caracal are closely related to the serval. (Compliments of Wikipedia)