What is the horse's speed?
88 km/hMaximum, sprint
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The fastest land animals
Brown hare
Brown hares successfully run away from predators for a reason
Remember the fable about the hare and the tortoise? In fact, it appeared for a reason, because the brown hare is one of the fastest animals on our list. These little animals are truly capable of outrunning most other animals. The brown hare can run extremely fast, reaching speeds of up to 75 km per hour, which certainly allows it to escape from a hungry predator. Russians live mainly in Europe, Asia Minor and Asia Minor, as well as in North Africa. In Russia, the brown hare can be seen throughout the European territory of the country. Frankly, when writing this material, I was very surprised to learn that our dear ordinary bunny ranks so high among the fastest runners on planet Earth.
What animal on Earth do you think is the most unusual? Share your answer in the comments to this article, as well as with participants in our Telegram chat
Antelope Pronghorn
Pronghorns are very colorful animals
The pronghorn antelope takes an honorable second place among land animals in terms of speed of movement. It may seem surprising, but pronghorn can easily outrun most predators at speeds of about 96 km per hour. At the same time, most other antelopes develop a completely different speed - from 80 km per hour (wildebeest) to 40 km per hour (dik-diks). It is also noteworthy that pronghorns are the most ancient artiodactyls in North America. These unusual animals got their name because of the characteristic hooked horns that grow on the heads of males and females, although in the latter they are noticeably thinner and shorter. The body weight of the pronghorn antelope varies from 35 to 60 kg, which, you see, is quite a lot. Since these artiodactyls run almost as fast as cheetahs, they owe this ability to a thick trachea, voluminous lungs and a large heart that pumps oxygenated blood very quickly.
Cheetah
Cheetah running at full speed in South Africa (Acinonyx jubatus)
The cheetah is the fastest animal on land. In fact, the cheetah can run at speeds only slightly faster than the pronghorn antelope (96 km per hour) and can reach speeds of up to 98 km per hour . And yet the cheetah is faster than the pronghorn. However, due to the fact that cheetahs live in most countries of Africa and the Middle East, there is no opportunity to compete with pronghorn antelopes (pronghorns are native to North America). But the fastest cheetah, reaching speeds of up to 98 km per hour, was a cheetah named Sarah, who set this record in 2012. It should be noted that scientists cannot monitor all the cheetahs in the world, and there may be individuals that run faster than Sarah.
Unlike most of the other animals on our list, the cheetah is a predator that poses a serious threat to animals that live in the same geographic areas, not only in grasslands, but also in forests. It is also important to understand that the cheetah is a sprinter, not a long-distance runner. This graceful animal skillfully combines agility with speed during deadly attacks. Moreover, cheetahs are capable of very fast acceleration and can accelerate four times faster than you and I. They also stop very effectively and quickly. At the same time, the speed and agility of the cheetah are not combined with its strength - cheetahs are rather fragile animals and lose in most fights with other predators. As a result, their spoils often go to competitors. An injured cheetah is unable to run quickly, which could put its life in danger.
The fastest insects
And now let’s move on to the most unpleasant part, insects. We all know how difficult it is to catch a fly or mosquito - they are sneaky, fast and annoying. Probably everyone has tried to catch butterflies or dragonflies with a net and knows firsthand how fast they are. But which insect is the fastest?
Jumping beetle
The jumping beetle is not only the fastest land insect, but also very beautiful
An honorable third place among the fastest insects on our planet is occupied by the jumping beetle, which not only flies, but also moves very quickly on the ground. In fact, biologists call jumping beetles the fastest land insects, since jumping beetles can reach speeds of up to 2 meters per second when hunting for prey. Agree, it's very fast. But these – I’m not afraid of this word – beneficial insects fly over short distances. They are called beneficial because an adult jumping beetle destroys more than 400 different pests. Another interesting thing is that the horses take off into the air as soon as they sense danger, which allows them to move very quickly to a safe place. These insects feed on the ground, and their diet is dominated by small insects and larvae, and the bright color of jumping beetles makes them a desirable specimen in the collections of insect lovers.
Cockroach
I’ll be honest – it’s disgusting to look at cockroaches
I don’t know if anyone even likes cockroaches, but these tenacious insects - to our great regret - move very quickly. Their very name, in fact, speaks about this, because the word cockroach comes from the Chuvash word “runaway”. When these insects run away from danger, they are able to reach speeds of up to 5.4 km per hour, and given their size, this is some kind of absolute record. In fact, cockroaches are one of the most ancient species on Earth. Many scientists believe that cockroaches have inhabited our planet for millions of years, during which they have adapted to constantly changing environmental conditions, so once they get into someone's home, it is very difficult to get rid of them. By the way, in our country there are almost 55 species of cockroaches. Needless to say, these not-so-pleasant comrades live everywhere – on all continents except Antarctica. But the longest-living animals on our planet are naked mole rats. Read about what kind of animals these are and why they are so special in a fascinating article by my colleague Ramis Ganiev.
Dragonfly
Dragonflies have no equal among other insects both in speed of movement and in hunting.
I don’t know if it will surprise you that the speed at which bees fly is at least admirable (65 km per hour), the speed of dragonflies is, nevertheless, much higher - up to 97 km per hour. Moreover, most of the time dragonflies move at a speed not exceeding 30 km per hour. Dragonflies accelerate to a speed of 95-97 km per hour while hunting - they instantly calculate the flight path of the prey - the dragonfly's diet includes flies, beetles, mosquitoes and other small insects - and intercept the prey right on the fly. Amazing ability and no need to chase. All the dragonfly needs to do is wait for the food to fall into its hands. In fact, dragonflies are one of the most ancient insects living on our planet. There are more than 6,650 species around the world. Needless to say, dragonflies can be found on all continents of the globe, including Antarctica.
Read even more interesting articles about our amazing Universe and the world in which we live on our channel in Yandex.Zen
As you can see, the diversity of species on our planet is amazing: there are amazing living creatures in the sea, in the air and on land that demonstrate the many different ways in which we can adapt to survive in our environment. Although our tools and inventions may place man at the top of the food chain, we are easily surpassed when it comes to speed. Many of the animals on our list move as fast as the cars and trains we've created.
Brazilian folded lip
Speaking of vampire animals, another character with fast movement would be a good fit. The Brazilian folded-lipped bat can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h. The size is about 9 cm, weight is about 15 g. It is generally accepted that a bat is a prototype of a vampire, but this specimen can be called the most peaceful and friendly.
Scientists are studying their ultrasonic communication to study and use echolocation skills. They live in caves in the western and southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands. When migrating, they are able to cover distances of up to 1600 km. This is the fastest animal among mammals.
External features
The African ostrich is the only modern representative of the ostrich family, which are ratite birds that cannot fly. This is not only the fastest running bird, but also the largest of all modern birds known to us. Its height can reach 2.70 m, and its weight can be 156 kg, with a tiny flattened head set on a very long neck. A characteristic feature of the species are large expressive eyes with long eyelashes.
The African ostrich is the only modern representative of the ostrich family, which are ratite birds that cannot fly.
The wings are underdeveloped, but the plumage is very lush, curly and beautiful. Many women of the last century wore products made from such feathers. They were used to make fans, fans and plumes, and decorate ladies' hats. Feathers are missing only on the head, neck and hips, as well as on the chest, where the so-called pectoral callus is located, with which the ostrich rests on the ground when it lies down to rest. The adult male is colored black and white, while the female appears greyish-brown.
Horsefly
It would seem, what kind of speed does an insect have? However, with its relatively small size (length up to 4 cm, weight up to 12 mg), the horsefly can develop simply astronomical mobility - 145 km/h. If we take it in relation to body size, this speed is comparable to a human running 6525 km/h. Impressive, isn't it?
It turns out that the horsefly is the most agile of all? True, its standard speed is still more modest - 45-60 km/h. The insect got its name “horsefly” because of its myopia.
It sees only moving objects - cars, animals. They often bite people painfully. But only females exhibit the vampire essence; males are vegetarians and feed on flower nectar.
The fastest fish
Since we have found out who is the fastest on land, let's find out which inhabitants of the sea and ocean depths swim faster than others. To tell the truth, before writing this article, I remembered almost all the fish that at least somewhat resemble those that can swim very quickly, but as a result, I did not guess any of those who occupy the leading positions on our list. I don’t know why, but it seemed to me that the tuna was swimming very, very fast, while in fact its maximum speed is only 74 km per hour (although this is also an excellent result). By the way, did you know that the benefits of eating fish can be overrated? Read more in our material, but for now let's find out which fish swim the fastest in the world.
Swordfish
The swordfish fully lives up to its name
Swordfish are quite unusual creatures - they reach a length of 4.5 meters. This species was first described in 1758 by the Swedish physician Carl Linnaeus. Externally, the swordfish looks quite colorful - it has a very elongated upper jaw - as if justifying the name swordfish - which it uses to stun prey, as well as a high fin on its back. At the same time, the lower part of the body of swordfish is light, and the rest of the body is brownish-black. Since swordfish are predators, they must swim very quickly in order to catch prey. According to tentative calculations, swordfish are capable of accelerating from 100 to 130 km per hour, but the exact speed of this inhabitant of the deep sea could not be calculated. Swordfish live in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea.
Black Marlin
Black marlin is one of the fastest fish in the world. Its swimming speed reaches 100 km/h. Marlins are giants: their weight reaches 750 kg. The species is classified as a commercial fish, although the annual catch is small - it does not exceed 6–7 thousand tons.
Black marlin: Wikipedia
Marlin is a serious predator. It feeds on pelagic fish, crustaceans and squid. The favorite fish of marlins is anchovies. In addition to their commercial value, marlins are a valuable object for sport fishing. Catching a giant is the cherished dream of fishermen.
Currently, marlin caught during the competition are released into the wild. Marlin meat is considered a delicacy and is very expensive in top restaurants.
Cape Hunting Dog.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how the name of these dogs sounds correctly in Russian. They hunt in packs. They attack mainly small animals, although sometimes they can kill a zebra or wildebeest. Maximum speed 70 km/h. The usual pattern of capture looks like this: one dog sinks its teeth into the victim's tail, the other into the upper lip. All. The rest help finish the job.
Spine-tailed Swift
A large specimen of the swift family. Body size is about 22 cm, weight - up to 175 g. The range is fragmented, some are in South and Southeast Asia, some are in the Far East and Siberia. It is considered the fastest bird in Russia; it can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h.
Among other swifts, it is distinguished by its silence; it rarely screams, quietly, with a slightly rattling sound. In addition, parents do not like to clean the nest after the chicks hatch. They do not throw away old shells or droppings, and they live like this until September, when it is time to fly to hot countries. They winter in Australia.
The swift not only flies quickly, but also eats and sleeps in flight
Differences
An ostrich can run faster than any predator or other bird. In addition, they have the largest size among all other birds. Their height can reach two hundred and seventy kilometers, and their weight gains one hundred and sixty kilograms.
Tall and large birds have poorly developed wings and strong, high legs. Their necks are long and devoid of feathers, their heads are flat. Fast birds have become popular among farmers due to their meat, which is similar in quality to beef.
Fast birds have become a delicacy in the kitchens of many nations. It is endowed with piquancy and is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Fast ostriches are not picky about their diet. They eat with pleasure:
- vegetable feed;
- grain crops;
- insects;
- small vertebrates.
They do not need large volumes of water, so they can easily exist without water for a long time.
Gazelle
An artiodactyl mammal living in Africa and partly in Asia. We will talk about it because from time immemorial the gazelle has been considered a model of lightness, speed, and grace. An adult animal weighs about 80 kg and is 1.1 m tall at the withers. She has a slender body and long legs. In the gazelle genus, both sexes have horns, although girls have smaller and softer ones.
The exception is the gazelle - here only males are decorated with horns. The gazelle is capable of misleading those who like to count the speed runs of animals. She can run for a long time at a speed of 50-55 km/h. Its reserve during a “blitz jerk” is about 65 km/h.
However, cases have been established when this graceful runner reached speeds of up to 72 km/h. The Thomson's gazelle, which is known for its speed of 80 km/h, lives in Kenya and Tanzania. And here she is already catching up with the American riding horse and springbok (jumping antelope).
Almost all types of gazelles run fast
Mating season
During the breeding process, males try to attract females with a kind of dance. They kneel down and beat their wings on the ground, throwing their heads back so that the back of their heads touches their own back. During this period of time, the neck and legs of the male acquire a bright shade. Several males compete for the female's attention and organize a kind of battle.
At the same time, a loud, dull roar is heard. The one whose sound was louder becomes the winner and gets the female, the losing opponent leaves. The strongest male covers several companions at once.
It is noteworthy that male ostriches hatch chicks in the same way as females. Ostrich eggs are considered the largest in the world, and, of course, they are hunted by predators.
The fastest birds
I don't know if you're aware, but birds are warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrates (notice how many characteristics) that biologists traditionally consider as a separate class. Their characteristic feature is the cover of feathers covering their bodies, which they inherited from dinosaurs. Feathers protect the bird's body from adverse temperature changes and play an important role during flight. By the way, not all birds on Earth can fly: penguins and kiwi birds are clear proof of this. These guys aren't really in a hurry to get anywhere, which is why they didn't make it onto our list.
Golden eagle
The golden eagle is a dangerous bird of prey that even deer are afraid of
A member of the hawk family, golden eagles are a threat not only to small rodents, but even to deer. These birds of prey are found in North America, South Africa and Europe, mainly in mountainous areas. There are golden eagles, and in our country you have most likely heard about them as predatory and aggressive birds. What adds horror to a sudden meeting with this bird is the speed with which golden eagles cut through the expanses of the sky - for example, during a free fall, golden eagles can accelerate to 320 km per hour, and the speed gain is mainly due to the body weight of the birds. Thus, males on average reach from 2.8 to 6.7 kg, and females are usually larger than males. However, the difference between golden eagles and peregrine falcons (the fastest birds in the world) lies in their wingspan, which is 180-120 cm. Golden eagles are also famous for their ability to build nests from tree branches, and hatch their offspring for about 45 days.
Frigate
Frigates are red-bellied beauties. do you agree?
Since we now know who moves the fastest on land and sea, it's time for air. And in this regard, one cannot help but recall the frigates. These incredibly beautiful birds with a lush bright red breast are capable of reaching speeds of up to 152 km per hour . Agree, it's very fast. In fact, frigate birds are relatives of pelicans and cormorants, but unlike them, the wingspan of frigate birds in relation to body weight is very large. This allows the birds to remain in the air for so long that sometimes they do not land for more than a week , and frigates soar primarily over the tropics and subtropics.
This is interesting: The strongest animals on Earth: who are they?
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine falcon is the fastest bird in the world
Agree, when it comes to the fastest animal on our planet, one cannot ignore the habitat. Since cheetahs run the fastest on land, and sailboats ply the seas at a speed of 110 km per hour, among insects there is no equal to dragonflies, then in the air there is another bird that flies faster than all other birds - the peregrine falcon (I hope you remember that high-speed trains in our country are often named after birds, so the peregrine falcon running from Moscow to St. Petersburg is no exception). The peregrine falcon can fly especially fast - their speed can reach up to 321 km per hour! Something unthinkable, right? The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that the peregrine falcon develops such speed during a dive, which makes these birds an incredibly formidable and fast hunter. When prey is caught, peregrine falcons fly less quickly, but this is unlikely to be important for their prey. Thus, the fastest animal on planet Earth is the peregrine falcon. You can see these beautiful and unusual birds on all continents except Antarctica.
