Today, we’ll look at the top ten fastest runners in the animal world. While these animals are no match for the world’s top five fastest animals, all birds can nevertheless run fast enough to get a speeding fine in many countries.
Fastest Runners in the Animal World
Let’s go through the article and know those fastest animals on earth.
#10 THE OSTRICH
The solitary bird to make this list, the ostrich, travels about by running rather than flying. The world’s largest and heaviest living bird, Ostriches, defends itself with powerful leg kicks.
Ostriches can run at speeds of up to 70 km/h (44 mph).
#9 THE JACKRABBIT
The jackrabbit is a wild hare found throughout western North America. To avoid predators, the jackrabbit employs a combination of zig-zags and leaps. It can jump up to 20 feet (6 metres) in a single bound because of its powerful hind legs! The top speed of a jackrabbit is 45 miles per hour (72 kilometres per hour).
#8 THE GREYHOUND
Greyhounds are considered the fastest dogs on the planet. They’ve been utilized in dog racing and hunting for a long time. Greyhounds are recorded to run at 46 miles per hour (74 kilometres per hour) thanks to their long, thin bodies and flexible spines. They hunt by keeping an eye on their prey, unlike bloodhounds, who rely on scent and smell because they are sighthounds.
#7 THE BROWN HARE
The brown hare, called the cape hare or desert hare can be found in Africa, India, and Arabia. The hare’s powerful legs allow it to leap and sprint. Brown Hares have reached up to 75 km/h, although only 20 metres.
#6 BLACKBUCK ANTELOPE
Blackbucks are native to India, and their name comes from the that the bucks, or males, turn black as they age. Both young males and females have light brown coats, which deepen with age. Blackbuck can run up to 50 mph (80 km/h), but it can only sustain that speed for about a mile.
#5 THE LION
Lions are the world’s second-largest cats (after only the tiger in terms of size), and they’re also the second-fastest of their family.
They can sprint up to 80 kilometres per hour (50 miles per hour) in short bursts before becoming weary. Lions prefer to get as near their prey as possible before attacking!
#4 WILDEBEEST
The wildebeest is a massive hooved African mammal. The wildebeest uses its speed to flee predators, particularly lions, and can quickly run at a rate of fifty miles per hour (80 kilometres per hour), which, unfortunately for the wildebeest, is precisely the same speed as a lion.
#3 THE PRONGHORN
The pronghorn antelope is considered the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere. Its large lungs and specially shaped cushions on its hooves help it absorb enough oxygen. Pronghorn can sprint but not jump; therefore, when they run into a rancher’s fence, they must crawl underneath it! Pronghorns can reach high speeds of 55 miles per hour (88 km/h), but they cannot sustain these speeds for more than half a mile.
#2 THE SPRINGBOK
Springbok is a medium-sized gazelle that is native to southwestern Africa. They are quick runners and leap. They can leap up to 13 feet (4 metres) in the air! Springbok can run up to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometres per hour), which is helpful because they need that speed to avoid lions, who eat them.
#1 THE CHEETAH
The cheetah’s claim to fame and most significant advantage is its speed. The cheetah is ranked the fastest land animal, reaching up to 75 miles per hour (120 kilometres per hour), albeit it can only maintain this pace for around 500 metres. Cheetahs have lightweight bodies, small heads, and long legs designed for speed. The cheetah’s spine recoils like a spring as it runs, driving its legs out and allowing it to cover up to 25 feet every stride. The cheetah’s claws, which never fully retract, behave as soccer cleats, giving traction as it hurtles forward. In an environment dominated by larger predators, speed allows the cheetah to flee the fight and live to hunt another day.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the Fastest Runners in the Animal World and be sure to check back for more fun films from Just Pets World.
