An African Swallow?
The Fastest Land Animals on the Planet
December 14, 2024
By Kayla Zhu, Visual Capitalist
Speed is a defining characteristic of survival in the animal kingdom, with some land animals reaching incredible velocities in their pursuit of prey or escape from predators.
This graphic visualizes the top speeds of the 10 fastest land animals in miles per hour (mph).
The data is compiled by Fact Animal from various academic sources and includes the fastest reliably recorded speeds for each animal.
Cheetahs lead the pack with a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h), followed closely by pronghorn antelopes at 62 mph (100 km/h).
Cheetahs’ incredible speed can be attributed to their slender bodies, powerful leg muscles, flexible spines, and unique gait that allows them to cover significant ground with each stride.
According to a study by Imperial College London and Harvard University researchers, the maximum running speed of land animals is determined by two muscle function limits: the speed of muscle contraction (affecting smaller animals) and the extent of muscle shortening (affecting larger animals).
Animals of “intermediate” size, such as cheetahs, exist in a “physical sweet spot” where these limits coincide, allowing them to achieve the highest running speeds
Other medium-sized quadrapeds (four-legged animals) like the Dorcas gazelle, Quarter Horse, and Greyhound, dominate the top 10 list. The ostrich is the only biped (two-legged animal) and bird on the list.
Ostriches’ long, powerful legs and specialized anatomy, including a long stride length of up to 5 meters per step and a lightweight yet strong lower leg structure, contribute significantly to their speed and endurance
Humans, with a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), fall short of ranking among the fastest land animals. Lions, the 10th fastest animal on the list, clock in at a top speed of 31 mph (50 km/h).
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