The fastest animals are always fascinating to us. They make for great conversation, and they often come up in our favorite TV shows and movies. While many of these animals are fast because their natural habitat forces them to be, some creatures have evolved to become the fastest animal on earth. Here is a list of the 10 fastest animals in the world.
1. Peregrine Falcon
This bird has a top speed of 200 mph, which is the fastest speed recorded for any animal on this list. The peregrine falcon is known to eat other birds and occasionally will take down other animals like rabbits.
2. White-Throated Needletail
The white-throated needletail is the fastest animal in the world, clocking in at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour. It is also one of the most delicate, weighing just 6 grams.
The needletails are found in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. They are often seen flying low over lakes and coastal areas, skimming just above the water surface with their wings retracted.
They are migratory birds that spend the winter in New Zealand before returning to China or Southeast Asia for the breeding season.
3. Frigate Bird
The frigate bird is a seabird that is found in tropical regions around the world. They are best known for their incredibly long wings which can measure up to six feet across. This allows them to glide effortlessly through the air and fly at great speeds.
They also have a powerful sense of smell, and they prey on fish by swooping down from high altitudes to catch them in their beak.
The frigate bird has been observed going as fast as 70 miles per hour when diving for a fish!
4. Spur-Winged Goose
The spur-winged goose is a medium-sized water bird. It can fly at speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour, which makes it the 10th fastest animal in the world.
5. Cheetah
Cheetahs are the fastest land animal on earth. They can run up to speeds of 70 miles per hour.
6. Sail Fish
One of the fastest animals on earth, sailfish can swim as fast as 68 miles per hour. Sailfish average around 12 feet in length and can weigh up to 240 pounds. Sailfish are found in all open water and prefer temperate and tropical climates.
7. Pronghorn Antelope
The average speed for a pronghorn antelope is 60-70 mph. They have been clocked at speeds more than 80 mph. Pronghorns have a long, thin body and an oversized, heavily-muscled face that gives them their name. To keep from overheating when they run, pronghorns have wide nostrils that sweep in cool air when they breathe and large, moist ears that help to dissipate heat when they're on the move.
Pronghorns are found in the western United States and Canada. They like to eat short grasses and other plants and will drink water if it's available to them.
8. Marlin
Marlin can reach speeds of up to 68 miles per hour. That's pretty fast for a fish! Marlin is found in all the world's oceans.
9. Blue Wildebeest
The blue wildebeest is a type of antelope that lives primarily in the Serengeti region of Africa. These animals are fast runners, which has enabled them to escape predators throughout history. They are also very social animals, so they live in herds with other blue wildebeests.
Their high speed and social nature have helped them survive for millions of years, but their numbers dwindled over the last century due to poaching. Luckily, their population is slowly increasing thanks to conservation efforts.
10. Brown Hare
The brown hare is a species of hare native to central and southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It has been introduced to North America. The brown hare can reach speeds of up to 43 kilometers per hour (27 mph).
running thousands of sea legs wild flight faster wingspan dry level habitats published black largest maximum quarter tailed ocean temperatures achieve typically lengths extremely article headed reaching albatross hundreds range strong wind savannahs variety kingdom considered close distance hunt study scientists food capable bats estimated common human-horse dive eagle golden swimming distances swift hunting
