I'm black as the night, but I hide it well
I'm the fastest around, as my fleeing victims can tell
My brothers and sisters live everywhere on earth
Except on the Poles, there we give no birthI live on one continent only, with an A it starts
It lies in the south, on almost all geographic cards
Our species survived the massive extinction, a long time ago
My ancestors and dinosaurs could have been friends, for all I know
So, what animal am I?
Hint:
See my comment on @Thrax' answer. (S)he had two of the lines correct.