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The 14 Fastest Land Animals in The World

Wanna learn about the fastest land animals on earth? You’re in the right place. Check out this list of the top animals that are fast on our planet!

All of the earth’s fastest land animals are either prey or hunters. Velocity is frequently a case of survival in the animal kingdom. They are either required to capture prey for maintenance or run from predators to survive.

Maximum of the fastest mammals run on four legs, but a few move by jumping or hopping. These creatures’ highest speeds are incredible, but they can only be acquired over reasonably short spans in often cases.

Long-distance steadiness is another matter entirely and beyond the range of this article, which classifies land animals by top short-distance running speed. Still, in today’s blog post we will talk about the fastest land animals. (Featuring all types of animals.)

14 Fastest Land Animals in the World

Scroll on for the leading 14 fastest land animals worldwide in ascending order.

14. Greyhound

Greyhound running on a field
  • Maximum speed: 43 mph – 70 km/h

Greyhounds are broadly considered the fastest dog species. For ages, they have been employed in dog racing. A highly active class, it’s no wonder that their legs can take them as quickly as 43 miles per hour.

They created a reputation for themselves as sprinting dogs thanks to their pace. The dog also possesses excellent acceleration abilities over small distances; only pronghorns and cheetahs can beat them.

This dog has a massive heart of its size, comprising 1.187% to 1.74% of its body weight. On the other hand, a human being’s heart comprises only about 0.78% of a person’s body mass.

Their heart distributes its whole blood volume four to five times through a 30sec race. Its entire cell volume and high blood volume provide muscles the oxygenation they require to function at extreme efficiency.

The animal is distinguished by its large legs, increased lung capacity, flexible spine, slender muscular build, and high fast-twitch muscles.

13. American Quarter Horse

American Quarter Horse running
  • Maximum speed: 43.97 mph – 70.76 km/h

The lineage of American horses, this distinct species has adapted to sprinting in quick runs around trails for sport. It is among the oldest identified species of horses in the US.

Notably, the American Quarter Horse’s name arrives from its excellent racing distance, estimated at a quarter of a mile or smaller.

They vary from other breeds because of this discipline for shorter spans. The quickest horse set an incredible speed record reaching 43.97 miles per hour.

They have a lifespan of 20-30 years, but their racing careers are short-term and usually don’t stay over five years. Apart from racing, they perform nicely as farm horses and are often the most notable horse species seen in competitive rodeo courses.

12. Kangaroo

Kangaroo jumping on sand near the beach
  • Maximum speed: 44 mph – 71 km/h

Kangaroos don’t sprint; they hop, but they can achieve it at a significant pace.

Using their strong hind legs, they usually jump at a speed of around 13 to 16 miles per hour. Still, this creature can run at a maximum speed of 44 miles per hour over small spans if needed.

Nearly every kangaroo type exists in Australia (there is one class, the tree-kangaroo, also seen in Papua New Guinea). They are occasionally slaughtered for meat or leather coats or to save grazing ground.

11. African Wild Dog

African wild dog walking
  • Maximum speed: 44 mph – 71 km/h

With its streamlined body and strong, large legs, the African wild dog can sprint at 44 miles per hour in short bursts. They often capture their prey by stalking them to exhaustion.

At a more extended span of around 3 miles, these animals can still reach a maximum speed of 35 to 37 miles per hour.

Unfortunately, these Sub-Saharan species have been categorized as endangered by the IUCN because of habitat decline.

They are group players and function properly in packs. Once they have caught their prey on the first attempt, the other group partner may help complete the meal and pull the prey creature to the ground.

10. Hare

Wild European Hare running
  • Maximum speed: 50 mph – 80 km/h

Hares come from a similar genus as rabbits (Lepus) but have lengthier hearings. They consume stems, fruit, wood bark, stems, leaves, grass, and vegetables. They often reside on their own or in couples.

Using their powerful hind legs, a few hares can attain a top pace of around 50 miles per hour over short distances. 

Many can jump 10 ft at once, and several have also been popular to achieve 20-foot jumps. Jackrabbits—one of their kind—sprint in a zigzag way mixed with hops to evade predators.

9. Thomson’s Gazelle

Thomson's gazelle facing camera
  • Maximum speed: 50 mph – 80 km/h

With a pace of around 50 miles per hour, Thomson Gazelle is one of the fastest land animals globally. These species can be readily noticed in the grasslands of Serengeti and several other parks of Tanzania.

Although small, they possess strong legs that push them higher in the air. Not only are they one of the World’s quickest species, but they are also the high jump champs!

The speed may not seem extremely fast, thinking it’s slightly slower than big cats like cheetahs, lions, and leopards. But these antelopes can hold this pace over lengthy distances. They turn smartly and utilize their stamina to escape predators.

8. Blackbuck

BlackBuck Male Jumping
  • Maximum speed: 50 mph – 80 km/h

Blackbucks, also known as Indian Antelope, is another among the fastest land animals seen across the Indian subcontinent. They can reach a pace of around 50 miles per hour for nearly a mile.

Fortunately, these animals have been categorized as least-concerned by the IUCN list since 2003.

It is a favored animal for hunters because of the male’s great horns. Each blackbuck stride estimates 18–22 feet when in maximum flight.

7. Cougar

Cougar running on snow
  • Maximum speed: 50mph – 80 km/h

Cougars have over 40 names because of their broad geographical range, covering all American continents. They are also known as mountain lions, pumas, and mountain cats.

Besides, cougars are among the fastest land animals because they have large paws and strong hind legs that give them great leaping and running ability.

They can leap as high as 18 feet and run at speeds of 40 to 50 mph but are best adapted for short, powerful sprints rather than long chases.

6. Lion

Portrait of the African lion
  • Maximum speed: 50 mph – 80.5 km/h

The second-quickest big felines and the only of the big five animals on this list, lions, can run about 50 miles per hour in short bursts. However, they soon become tired, so they usually come near their prey before starting the attack.

Lions are strong mammals that frequently attack in coordinated packs and hunt their preferred prey.

Being a sprinter instead of a marathon runner, the lion needs to be ready and selective in any endeavor to catch its prey.

Not holding the endurance of wild dogs or hyenas, this feline must depend on its particular set of hunting features.

5. Blue Wildebeest

A blue wildebeest running in dust
  • Maximum speed: 50 mph – 80.5 km/h

The blue wildebeest, similar to pronghorn, is another excellent sprinter with steadiness. There are two breeds—the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest—and both are extremely quick, particularly over long distances.

These southern African animals, also called gnus, require their pace to support them to get away from harmful predators, such as leopards, cheetahs, lions, crocodiles, and hyenas. They can attain an utmost speed of about 50 miles per hour when sprinting.

Wildebeest have weak eyesight, particularly at night. They survive cheetahs and lions by staying in enormous flocks, where there are plenty of eyes and ears sensing for threat.

Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park are excellent places for catching plenty of these beasts running around. More than 1 million wildebeest graze in this territory.

4. Springbok

Running Springbok jumping high
  • Maximum speed: 55 mph – 88 km/h

Springboks are extremely quick and can reach 55 miles per hour pace over small distances. They are one of the fastest land animals and create quick turns when sprinting and jumping around 13-14 feet.

Springboks are the national symbol of South Africa and are the only animal of their class, Antidorcas. These adorable small gazelles inhabit all of Africa’s national parks and also feed close to urban spaces.

These species run by creating long jumps across the savannah. Every hop can carry them multiple feet, and they have particularly adapted legs that soak all the wonder. This animal doesn’t have significant endurance over lengthy distances.

3. Pronghorn

Pronghorn Antelope in Custer State Park
  • Maximum speed: 55 mph – 88.5 km/h

The pronghorn, also called the American antelope, is the quickest land creature over long stretches, however, other antelopes, like impalas, are also among the fastest land animals. In North America, the pronghorn is faster than any potential predator.

This animal can sprint at 35 miles per hour for around 4 miles. Over half of a mile, it can reach a steady pace of 55 miles per hour. In short bursts, they can rise to 61 miles per hour.

Although these animals are not as quick as cheetahs, they can hold a rapid pace for a more extended period than cheetahs. With eyes as big as elephants, pronghorns contain excellent sharp vision. They can quickly identify predators at spans of around 0.6 miles.

The fantastic running abilities of the pronghorn are because of a few fascinating adaptations like very long legs, lightweight bones, bouncy pads, a much larger trachea, and a good heart and lungs.

2. Ostrich

Ostrich running in desert
  • Maximum speed: 60 mph – 96.6 km/h

Ostrich is one of the most enormous and fastest bird species. It is also the heaviest and tallest among them. They can sprint at an astonishing speed of 60 miles per hour, making them the second fastest land animal.

They are not only excellent sprinters but also great jumpers. They can jump approximately 13 to 16 feet and are renowned as the speediest runner on two legs.

One of the most significant reasons for these animals’ pace is they possess a springy step.

Another reason they can sprint so nicely is their ‘center of gravity,’ that is, between their wings and legs. So ostriches can be pretty balanced when operating at high rates.

Not only can ostriches run to that pace, but they can run for a prolonged time. In fact, these beasts can hold 31 miles per hour over spans of multiple miles.

1.  Cheetah – The Fastest Land Animal

Cheetah in its natural habitat
The cheetah is the fastest land animal!
  • Maximum speed: 75 mph – 120.7 km/h

Seen in Southern, North, and East Africa, the cheetah possesses the crown of the fastest land mammal. They can sprint at an impressive speed between 68 to 75 miles per hour, making the cheetahs the fastest animal on land.

Along with holding an ultimate high speed, these big cats also carry an excellent acceleration rate. They can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in no more than three seconds.

Cheetahs’ speed is only possible because of their long, slender bodies, flexible spine, and strong legs. It allows them to completely stretch their bodies when they run and cover a large area.

They have limited endurance. However, It sprints in short bursts and usually doesn’t last for over a minute or two. Surprisingly, this feline at the top pace usually consumes more time in the air rather than ground.

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Lamin Sillah

Thursday 12th of May 2022

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