Fastest Land Animals: Speed Comparison

From the sweeping savannahs to the slouching Australian hinterland, nature houses an amazing variety of animals, each with frets and exceptionalities to intrigue us. One of their astounding features is their speed. On one side, we have Cheetas, the epitome of speed. On the other hand, we have red kangaroos that may not be as speedy as the cheetahs but their leisurely hopping across the vast continent is equally fascinating. In this article, we will look at the fastest animals on the land and compare their speed. 

Image Source: Fast Company

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 Significance of Speed in the Animal Kingdom

Speed is what defines survival and success for many animals in the world. How fast an animal can move is a factor that determines their skill of hunting and evading predators. However, the significance of speed of some of the fastest land animals is beyond chasing prey. Let’s dig deeper: 

Race to Survival: Prey Vs. Predator

The lightning-fast legs of some prey species such as zebras, gazelles, or antelopes, act as a defense mechanism to outsmart mighty predators like lions or cheetahs. This exceptional capability to escape dangers increases their survival possibility and passes down the trait to the young. On the other hand, mighty predators such as cheetahs, lions or wolves use their speedy legs to chomp on prey and secure their next meal. Migration and Long-Distance Travel

Animals that need to travel a lot in search for their prey or a suitable habitat, speed is their key to success. For example, zebras, the striped wanderer, go on voyages spanning miles after miles. Their capability to run at a consistent speed throughout the journey ensures the pianists can convey energy, maneuver unknown terrain effectively and hit their target for breeding, or feeding by reaching out the destination faster. 

Environmental Adaptation

In some wildlife like foxes, or pronghorns, speed helps adapt to the harsh environmental conditions. For example, over the years, pronghorns have learnt to run at a super-fast pace, cross grasslands  or a savannah to evade predators. Similarly, the Arctic fox uses its lightning-fast pace to hunt on prey like lemmings in the harsh Arctic habitat! 

It’s like a war of race where survival is to the fittest or we can say, the speediest.

Why Are Animals Faster Than Humans?

In short, the answer lies in nature. Nature has turbo-charged the bodies of some animals that they could use to zip the past humans!

From cheetahs with fastest legs and super-light bodies and antelopes with long legs designed to move swiftly, animals have muscles designed for speed! The secret behind their turbo-boosted muscle is fast-twitch fibers that help them rock and roll in the wilderness with swag! Don’t forget those paws as big as your coffee table, claws and hooves that provide animals with a grip on the ground and move swiftly. In addition, unlike humans, most animals on the land are either prey or predators. Whole predators use their speed to get their next meals on the plate, the prey tries harder to escape their predators. It’s like an eternal scene of chasing and race for survival! 

On the other hand, humans have mastered the skill of endurance. Your slow-twitch muscles are enough to help you go on your next long adventure! Yes, they can even defeat Usain Bolt! 

Zooming Champions of the Earth: Animal Speed Comparison!

Here is your list of the 10 fastest animals in the world. Thor super-fast legs and sleek stature will surely blow you away!

Zooming Cheetah 🐆

With a maximum speed of up to 75 mph, cheetah holds the world record for the ultimate speedster of the wild. It’s the fastest mammal ever traversing the land. The flexible spine, aerodynamic and lightweight muscles, specially developed respiratory track and muscular long legs fuel its speed. 

Speedy Pronghorn Antelope 🦌

Say hello to the pronghorn antelope, the speed master racing at a speed of around 55 mph through the plain. Its specially developed lungs and heart, and wide vision help this speedster maintain a blazing speed for long distances and outpace more predators in North America. 

Bouncing Springbok 🦘

With a top speed of 55mph (89 kph), springbok- the medium-sized antelope, stands third in our list. It’s the highest-jumper in the grassland of Africa that can hop up to a staggering 11 feet in the air! 

Wildebeest on the Move 🦓

Meet wildebeest, the nature’s marathon master that can bewilder predators with its herding behaviour. They can run at a speed of up to 50 mph during their annual migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara. The muscular body, large head and strong shoulder make them highly capable of maintaining high speed during the sprints.

Lion – The Pouncing King 🦁

Lions, the ultimate ruler and the Apex predator in the deep African savanna, can attain an impressive pace of 50 mph (80kph) in short bursts. Female lions are the mighty hunters that use their heavy legs to ambush, and chase down and prepare their royal meals! 

Spirited Blackbuck 🦌

With a top speed of up to 50 mph (80 kph), blackbucks rock the grasslands of India. Male blackbucks have spiralled horns and long legs that they use to escape predators and attract the females for mating. Their sleek black-white body gives them a degree of camouflage in the grassland and escapes potential danger.

Known for its agility, and speed, this majestic antelope is the ultimate sprinting champion.

Famous for sprinting short distances, American Quarter Horses have been clocked at speeds up to 44 mph. Combining speed, endurance and responsiveness to command, these sprintsters of the equestrian world excels in a range of competitive events – from barrel racing to rodeo events! 

Swift Greyhound 🐕

Greyhounds are the natural sprintsters that can reach a speed of up to 45 miles in a few strides. Their muscular things combined with deep chest make this sprint hound dash toward the finish line faster than others. 

Hopping Kangaroo 🦘

The world’s largest hopping animal, kangaroos can hop at a speed of a whopping 70km/h (maximum). In quest of food, they can cover 9 meters in a single bound. Their capability to fly high in the sky comes from their elastic tendons, strong tail, and long hind feet.

Clever Coyote 🐺

The canny swindler of the wilderness, coyote can sprint at a staggering 43 mph (69 kph) speed. While chasing prey, they can attain speeds as high as 56-60 mph.