The Fastest Animals In The World – Based on research by scientists, the maximum human running speed is 40 miles/hour or about 64 kilometers/hour. However, this speed is actually far behind the speed of several types of animals that are classified as the fastest animals in the world below.
The fastest animal in the world that we live in is an animal that moves with its wings, namely the Peregrine Falcon, which can fly at a speed of 389 kilometers/hour. The fastest moving animal on land is the cheetah, which can run up to 120 kilometers per hour. The animal that moves with the fastest fins is the sailing fish with a swimming speed of up to 110 km/hour.
Some animals are truly surprising because they have special powers, like these 10 animals that are touted as the fastest animals in the world. Some fly in the air, some swim in the water, or run on land, the speed of these animals is unmatched by anyone.
10 Fastest Animals In The World
Here are 10 of the fastest animals in the world that you should know!
1. European rabbit
The world’s first fastest animal, the European Hare ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) is the only lagomorph species to have been domesticated by humans. European rabbits live easily in large social groups, while American cottontail rabbits do not. The less social nature of the American cottontail rabbit combined with the greater species diversity created a situation in which rabbit farming did not lead to domestication, or to domestication.
European and American rabbits are similar in all criteria except social behavior. European rabbits live in underground family burrows called warrens of up to 20 individuals including the male, which defend their breeding territory from other males. Warrens make it easy for people to find and manage wild rabbit populations, then mimic the conditions in captivity, where rabbits reproduce easily.
The European hare, also known as the brown hare, is a species of rabbit native to Europe and parts of Asia. Its hind legs allow it to run at a speed of 77 kilometers per hour, on par with their predator, the red fox.
2. Wildebeest
The second fastest animal in the world, Wildebeest ( Connochaetes ) is one of the herbivorous mammals belonging to the Bovidae family which is spread across the savanna in the interior of Africa. Animals that are still closely related to goats consist of two species, namely the blue wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus ) and the black wildebeest ( Connochaetes gnou ), all of which are endemic to the African continent.
The blue wildebeest is larger, up to 2.4 meters in length and 290 kilograms in weight. They are also called common wildebeest because they are a more common species. While the black wildebeest grows up to about 2.2 meters and weighs up to 180 kilograms. As the name implies, the black wildebeest is dark gray to black. While the blue wildebeest is actually bluish gray or sometimes brownish gray.
Both species have quite large horns, up to 78 centimeters in length. This animal has a running speed of 80 kilometers / hour like the maximum speed of a lion. Due to their large population, they are not classified as endangered animals. Live Science says that the black wildebeest population continues to grow, while the blue wildebeest population tends to be stable.
The wildebeest are known for the large annual migration they make in search of new, greener areas which falls between July and August. At that time, more than one million wildebeest crossed the Serengeti savanna on the Tanzania-Kenya border to cross crocodile-infested rivers.
3. Sailfish
The third fastest animal in the world, sailing fish are two types of fish in the genus Istiophorus that live in the warm waters of the world’s oceans. Most are blue-gray and have an erect dorsal fin similar to the sails of a ship. Another notable feature is the elongated snout, resembling that of a swordfish. This fish is the fastest fish, can swim up to speeds of 110 kilometers / hour.
The dorsal fin is usually folded while swimming, but can rise when the sailfish feels threatened or excited, making it appear larger than it is. This tactic can also be observed during feeding, when schools of sailfish use their sails to “herd” schools of fish or squid. This fish can change its body to light blue with yellow stripes to confuse prey and signal to other sailing fish.
4. Pronghorn Antelope
The fourth fastest animal in the world, the Pronghorn or pronghorn antelope is an antelope-like animal that lives in North America. In fact, the pronghorn is often referred to as the American antelope. There are four subspecies of pronghorn which can be found in Mexico, Arizona, throughout the Great Plains, and in Canada. The pronghorn inhabits open grasslands and deserts. They can survive at altitudes of up to 3,300 meters.
The main factors reducing the number of pronghorns in the wild are habitat loss, hunting, and artificial fences for livestock (which disrupt their natural migration routes). The Mexican pronghorn population is critically endangered (may disappear from the wild in the near future).
The pronghorn is usually about 90 centimeters tall and 90 to 150 centimeters long. They can weigh up to 40 to 70 kilograms. The male pronghorn is heavier than the female. The pronghorn is reddish brown. They have a white belly and white stripes on the throat. The white hairs that stand up on the rump area are used to alert other group members of potential danger. This distinctive patch of white fur can be seen from many kilometers away.
The pronghorn can change the position of the hair on its skin. Upright bristles promote air circulation near the skin and dissipate excess body heat in hot weather. On cold nights, their fur lays flat close to their bodies to prevent loss of body heat.
Pronghorn has horns curved backwards. Males have horns up to 25 centimeters long with forward-oriented prongs. Females have horns up to 12 centimeters long without branches. The pronghorn horn has a bony base covered with a layer of keratin and hair which sheds annually after the breeding season.
The pronghorn is active during the day and at night. Pronghorns are herbivores (plant eaters). Their diet includes various types of grass, bushes and cacti. Pronghorns absorb water from the food they eat. The pronghorn returns food from the stomach back to the mouth and chews it several times before it is ready to be fed into the digestive tract.
The pronghorn is the second fastest land animal (the cheetah is the fastest). They can reach speeds of 85 kilometers per hour and run 2.5 kilometers without slowing down. The main predators of the pronghorn are coyotes, bobcats and wolves.
The pronghorn is a migratory animal. They travel long distances (270 km) during seasonal migration every year. Males and females live in large herds (about 1000 animals) during the winter period. During summer and spring, males and females live in separate herds.
The mating season lasts during autumn. Males collect females (forming harems) in their territories and defend them aggressively from other males. The female gives birth to one or two babies in the spring. Babies remain with their mothers until they reach one year of age. Young pronghorns reach sexual maturity at 16 months of age. Pronghorns can survive 7 to 10 years in the wild and 12 years in captivity.
5. Ostriches
The ostrich is the largest living bird. Up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) in height, it is large enough to reach an adult on their small body and has been used in parts of North Africa and Arabia as a race animal. These birds cannot fly and belong to a less well-known primitive group, the ratites ( Palaeognaths ). Its scientific name is Struthio camelus .
Ostriches are native to the savannas and desert parts of Africa north and south of the equatorial forest zone. The species found in the Middle East, namely Struthio camelus syriacus has disappeared. Ostriches are farmed in various parts of the world for their feathers as decoration. The skin is used to produce textiles and the meat is sold commercially.
According to popular belief, ostriches are famous for hiding their heads in the ground when faced with danger. This behavior has never been recorded or seen, although ostriches have been known to lower their heads and necks to the ground to protect themselves if predators approach. When threatened, ostriches are able to seriously injure their predators with a kick from their powerful legs.
Other members of the Palaeognaths group include the rea, emus, cassowary as well as the largest known but now extinct bird, Aepyornis. Ostriches are warm-blooded animals, have wings and bodies covered with feathers. Their feathers do not function as air cymbals, but were once popular as decorations on millinery and so on. Its beak is toothless and sharp.
This bird is characterized by its long neck and legs, and can run up to speeds of 70 kilometers/hour and is the fastest among other birds. Ostriches are known for their social nesting, where several female birds will lay eggs in one nest, for the female to incubate during the day and the male at night. Ostrich eggs are the largest eggs of all living birds.
6. Cheetah
Citah (Sanskrit: chitraka , meaning “spotted”, English: cheetah , Latin: Acinonyx jubatus ) is a member of the cat family (Felidae) that hunts prey using speed and not sneaky or flocking tactics. This animal is the fastest animal among land animals and can reach speeds of 110 kilometers/hour in a short time to 460 m, with an acceleration of 0-100 kilometers/hour in 3.5 seconds, faster than some racing cars.
It is said that for many years the cheetah was only known as a ghost story. According to the story, this large predatory animal with tiger-like stripes on its body often carried away people who were on the border of Mozambique. Residents there often give the nickname cheetah with “magwa”.
Cheetahs are also known as the most efficient predators on earth. Chases and pounces on prey only when it is within reach. This animal is classified as smart with its ability to detect the weakest animal. He dropped the victim not by pounced like a lion or tiger, but a small touch on the back leg of the victim who was running fast. When the victim fell, the cheetah then pounced on the nape of the victim and then grabbed him until he ran out of blood.
Even though he is known as a fearsome hunter in the African desert, the fact is that only 40% to 50% of his hunting activities are fruitful. There was a myth that the heat was the reason why the cheetah failed to hunt. However, recent studies have shown that cheetahs that start eating their prey immediately after successful hunting experience a two-fold increase in body temperature compared to cheetahs that stop hunting activities.
In 1975, five subspecies were considered as valid taxa, namely A. j. Hecki, A.J. Jubatus, A.J. raineyi, A.j. soemmeringii , and A.j. venaticus . In 2011, a phylogeographical study found minimal genetic variation between A. j. Jubatus and A.J. raineyi , so only four subspecies have been identified. In 2017, the IUCN Cat Specialist Group’s Classification Task Force revised the taxonomy of felids and declared these four subspecies valid.
7. Spur-winged goose
The spur-winged goose is a large bird in the Anatidae family that can fly at a speed of 141.6 kilometers/hour. This goose generally has black fur and has white patches on its face and wings.
8. Frigatebird (Frigatebird)
The frigatebirds are a family (Fregatidae) of seabirds found throughout the tropical and subtropical oceans. The five living bird species are classified into one genus, namely Fregata. All of these birds have prominent black plumage, a long forked tail and a long hooked bill.
The female has a white belly while the male has a special red gular (throat) skin, which is usually puffed up during the breeding season to attract the female. The bird’s wings are long and pointed and can span up to 23 meters (75 ft), which is the largest ratio of wing area to body weight of any bird. With a large wingspan, this bird can fly at a speed of 153 kilometers/hour. Amazingly, the frigate bird can even fly high for a week.
9. Asian needle capinis ( Hirundapus caudacutus )
The Asian needle capinis ( Hirundapus caudacutus ) is a species of bird in the family Apodidae, of the genus Hirundapus. This bird is a type of small insect-eating bird that has habitat in forests, open forests.
Asian needle-pins have a large body (20 centimeters). Blackish body, brownish back, silvery whitish “saddle”, sharply demarcated white chin and throat, white undertail coverts, white speckled sides of neck, and white patch of tertiary feathers. The irises are dark brown, while the beak and legs are black.
This bird is a type of small insect-eating bird that has a habitat in open forest. In addition, the bird flies over the ridges or mountain peaks. Flying with the flow of hot air on his body. This bird can be recorded as flying at a speed of 171 kilometers / hour.
Breeding distribution is in northern Asia, China and the Himalayas, while migratory distribution includes Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
10. Crater falcon ( Peregrine falcon )
The crater kestrel or Peregrine falcon is a large species of kestrel, with a length of about 50 centimeters. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal in the world. Its speed can reach 389 km / hour. The breeding grounds of the kestrel kestrel cover the land area from the tundra to the tropics. Kestrels can be found almost everywhere on earth, except for the extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most of the tropical rain forests. This makes it one of the most widely distributed predators in the world and also one of the most common bird species.
The kestrel kestrel is a very successful example of urban wildlife. These birds take advantage of tall buildings as nesting sites and many prey items such as pigeons and ducks. Both the English and scientific names for this species have the same meaning, namely “wandering eagle”, referring to its migratory habits.
Experts identify 17 to 19 varying subspecies based on appearance and range: disagreement over whether the Barbary Eagle is represented by two subspecies of Falco peregrinus , or a separate species, F. pelegrinoides . The difference between the two species is relatively recent, namely during the last ice age. Therefore, the genetic differences between them (as well as the differences in their appearance) are relatively small. Only about 0.6-0.8% are genetically differentiated.
So, that’s a brief explanation of the fastest animals in the world that live on land, water and air. Sinaumed’s can visit sinaumedia’s book collection at www.sinaumedia.com to get references about other animals. The following is a recommendation for sinaumedia books that Sinaumed’s can read to learn about the most dangerous animals in the world so they can fully understand them. Happy reading.
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