Why are animals so fast?

Speed is one of the most fascinating adaptations in the natural world. For prey species like gazelle, speed is a vital defence against predators. Their ability to outrun their pursuer increases their chances of survival and the opportunity to pass on their genes to the next generation. On the other hand, predators such as the cheetah rely on their speed to catch their next meal.

But speed is not just about the chase. For many animals, such as wildebeest and the Canadian goose, it is also important in their migration. As they travel vast distances, consistent speed can help them navigate their environment, conserve energy, and reach their destination in time to breed, feed, or find a suitable habitat.

The fastest land animals on Earth

1. Cheetah

The African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) holds the title of the fastest animal and land mammal on Earth. They have been proven to reach a maximum speed of 104.2 km/h (64.8 mph).

The cheetah is a slender, long-legged feline with a small head and a long tail. Its fur ranges from pale yellow to tan and has black spots. These remarkable creatures are typically solitary, except for mothers with cubs. Cheetahs inhabit Africa’s open grasslands and savannas, where they act as ambush predators. They rely on short bursts of incredible speed to catch prey such as gazelle, impala, and wildebeest.

2. Pronghorn

The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is the second-fastest land animal, reaching speeds up to 89km/h (55mph). The pronghorn, while not as fast as the African cheetah, boasts an impressive combination of speed and endurance. It can sustain 64km/h (40mph) speeds for at least 11km (7 miles). In comparison, the cheetah can only hold its sprint for about 0.4km (0.25 miles) before needing to rest. 

The pronghorn is a graceful, gazelle-like creature with long legs and a short tail. It is a herd species that grazes in the open grasslands and deserts of North America. Compared to its body size, the pronghorn has a large windpipe, heart, and lungs, allowing it to take in large amounts of air when running.

3. Springbok

The springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is the third-fastest animal on land, reaching up to 88km/h (55mph). The springbok is a small to medium-sized antelope with warm tan to reddish-brown fur and a striking contrast of white underparts. Herds of springboks live in dry savannas and grasslands of southern Africa, particularly South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.

Fast Fact: A springbok can jump more than 3 metres (10 feet) into the air - a behaviour known as pronking.

4. Thomson's gazelle

The Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is our fourth-fastest animal and is claimed to have top speeds of up to 81km/h (50mph). Thomson's gazelles have black stripes and white bellies and are among the smallest and fastest of Africa’s antelopes. Found mainly in the savannas and grasslands of East Africa, these agile herbivores are well adapted to their arid habitats. They rely on their strong senses and exceptional agility to escape predators such as cheetahs and wild dogs.

5. Wildebeest

The blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), the fifth-fastest land animal, can reach speeds of 80km/h (50mph). 

The blue wildebeest, also known as the gnu, is a large antelope species renowned for its dramatic migrations across the Serengeti and Masai Mara in East Africa. These migrations involve over a million wildebeest thundering across the plains in search of fresh grazing lands, often braving crocodile-infested rivers. Beyond East Africa, they also inhabit regions in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa.

Fast Fact: The Great Migration is one of the largest overland mammal migrations in the world. Approximately, 1.5 million wildebeest travel 800km (500 miles), or more, during each cycle.

How fast can a cheetah run?

Witnessing a cheetah sprint is like seeing the ultimate outcome of thousands of years of evolution creating the perfect sprinter. A cheetah can accelerate from zero to 72km/h (45mph) in just 2.5 seconds, making it the undisputed champion of land speed!

Why are cheetahs fast?

But how does this big cat achieve such speed? Well, cheetahs are not that big! They are very light, weighing up to 64kg (140lbs), compared to lions that can weigh up to 190kg (418lbs). This, along with their small heads, narrow ribs, and elongated legs, makes their bodies very streamlined and allows for quick acceleration.

Yet, the real secret lies in its spine - a flexible spring that stretches and bends during high-speed chases. As the cheetah runs, its spine coils and recoils, powerfully propelling it forward with each stride. Cheetahs' semi-retractable claws also provide amazing grip on the ground, similar to spikes on Usain Bolts’ track shoes.

Fast Fact: Cheetahs are diurnal hunters, meaning they hunt during the day. Their exceptionally wide field of vision, which is 50% greater than that of humans, allows them to spot prey 5km (3 miles) away! To help with the sun glare, they also have unique black "tear stripes" which run from the corners of their eyes.

The fastest birds in the world

1. Peregrine falcon

The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) holds the title of the fastest bird in the world when diving. During this dive, known as stooping, the peregrine falcon soars to a great height and then dives steeply at speeds of up to 386km/h (240mph). 

Fast Fact: Peregrine Falcons live and breed on every continent in the world except Antarctica.

2. Golden eagle

Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) can reach a diving speed of 320km/h (200mph) - it is the only other bird to cross the 200mph threshold! With their wings held tight and partially closed against their body and their legs pulled close to their tail, they become streamlined, hurtling toward their target with unmatched precision. Their prey includes small mammals, fish, birds, and reptiles.

Golden eagles inhabit a variety of regions, including mountainous areas, open country, and rugged terrain across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa.

3. White-throated needletail swift 

The white-throated needletail swift (Hirundapus caudacutus) is the fastest flying bird in flapping flight, capable of speeds up to 170km/h (105mph). These swifts mostly feed on flying insects such as termites, ants, beetles and flies, capturing them mid-air with their wide gaping beaks. This fascinating migratory bird breeds in Central Asia and southern Siberia before embarking on an incredible journey in winter to the warm climates of India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

4. Eurasian hobby

The Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo) can fly at speeds of up to 160km/h (100mph)! This falcon is widely distributed across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The hobby visits Europe in the summer, arriving to breed before embarking on an epic journey south for the winter. They spend their winters in tropical Africa, flying thousands of miles in their annual migration.

5. Grey-headed albatross 

The grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) can glide at speeds of up to 127km/h (79mph). This impressive-sized bird relies on its 2.2m (7ft 3in) wingspan for gliding on the high-power winds around its island habitat. In 2004, French and British researchers working in the sub-Antarctic clocked this species flying at 110km/h (68mph) for 9 hours with no rest. It used the high tailwinds of a strong Antarctic storm to maintain this speed, and it even successfully hunted! This finding established the Grey-headed albatross in The Guinness World Record for fastest-level flight.

How fast can a peregrine falcon fly?

The peregrine falcon is a marvel of nature, known as the fastest bird in the world, reaching an astonishing speed of 386km/h (240mph). This incredible creature harnesses its hunting speed by swooping from great heights to catch its prey mid-flight.

Why are peregrine falcons fast?

The peregrine falcon is equipped with a streamlined body, narrow wings, and powerful flight muscles, making it an exceptionally efficient diver. During their stoops, they use a special technique of tucking their wings close to their body to minimise drag, and their lightweight but strong skeletal structure provides strength without extra weight. Even their feathers are adapted to these dives, as they are sleek and tightly packed with tiny interlocking barbules, which reduce turbulence and improve aerodynamic efficiency.

Fastest sea animals in the world

1. Sailfish

The sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), the fastest underwater animal and the fastest fish in the world, can reach speeds up to 109km/h (68mph). Its sleek body and elongated bill allow it to cut through water with minimal resistance. These fish have highly specialised dorsal fins that resemble sails - long and flexible, extending down their backs. These fins can flatten against their bodies when needed, creating a streamlined shape for swift movement.

2. Swordfish

The swordfish (Xiphias gladius), can reach up to 97km/h (60mph). With its distinctive, sword-like bill, it darts through the ocean, slicing through groups of fish and stunning its prey. As opportunistic hunters, swordfish use their speed to surprise and feed on a variety of fish and squid. Many people also think adult swordfish lose their scales, which is not quite true! Rather, the scales of the adult fish are buried deep in the skin, giving it the appearance of skin, not scales!

3. Marlin

The blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), is the third-fastest fish clocking speeds of 85km/h (53mph). The marlin has a powerful, muscular build, which allows these predators to outpace their prey, typically smaller fish and squid.

Fast Fact: Blue marlins are not only fast fish, but they are also huge! They can grow up to 3.6m (12ft) long and weigh up to 907kg (2,000lbs). Female marlins can also live up to 20 years old!

4. Tuna

The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) can reach great speeds of 75km/h (47mph). Tuna are highly migratory, travelling in massive shoals that can span up to 19 miles wide and include thousands of individuals from various tuna species. This collective behaviour aids in effective hunting and vigilance against predators. Their sleek bodies and powerful tails help them to swiftly swim for extended periods during these migrations, and when in pursuit of prey which is smaller fish and squid.

5. Shortfin mako shark

The shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) can reach speeds of up to 74km/h (45mph), making them the fastest sharks in our oceans. Makos are known for their aggressive hunting behaviour and are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of a food chain, without natural predators of their own. They prey on a variety of fish, squid, and even marine mammals. 

Fast Fact: The mako shark's impressive speed allows it to prey on a wide variety of fast-swimming species, including larger fish, squid, and mackerel. However, they can successfully hunt fellow speedsters like tuna and swordfish which captivates marine enthusiasts worldwide.

Humans vs. animals - who's faster?

At the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Usain Bolt set a world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100m race. He reached a peak speed of 44.72km/h (27.8mph) and maintained an impressive average speed of 37.8km/h (23.5mph), solidifying his status in the Guinness World Records as the fastest man on Earth. However, Bolt's record-breaking speed would not earn him a spot on this list, as it only allows humans to just break into the top 30 fastest land mammals.

Animals may outpace us in sprints, but we've evolved as incredible endurance runners. Humans' capacity to sweat, our lengthy limbs, and our upright stance all play a part in our efficiency over long distances. It's a unique trait, and not many other animals can match our ability to maintain a steady pace over extended runs.

Humans' unique ability for endurance has been crucial to our survival. In the time before vehicles, our feet were our primary mode of transportation and hunting. Some anthropologists believe this became important around 2-3 million years ago when we started hunting and scavenging. Because we couldn't chase down a gazelle like a cheetah, early humans learned persistent hunting similar to what we see in African wild dogs, where they would track prey over long distances until the prey either overheated or was driven into a trap.

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The fastest animal in the world quiz answers

How fast can a cheetah run?

Answer: A cheetah can run at 104.2km/h (64.8mph)

What is the fastest shark in the world?

Answer: The Mako shark is the fastest in the world, and can swim up to 74km/h (46mph)

Which bird holds the record for the fastest speed while diving?

Answer: The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird in the world, and can dive at speeds up to 386km/h (240mph)

What is the fastest underwater animal?

The sailfish is the fastest underwater animal in the world and can swim at 109km/h (68mph)

Who would win in a sprint - the pronghorn or wildebeest?

Answer: The pronghorn would win, as it can sprint up to 89km/h (55mph)

Which African antelope is famous for its spectacular pronking behaviour?

Answer: The springbok

Who would win a 10km race - the African cheetah or the pronghorn?

Answer: The pronghorn would win again. They are known for their exceptional endurance and speed. While cheetahs are built for short bursts, pronghorns can sustain speeds of up to 64km/h (40mph) for at least 11km (7 miles)