Top 18 The Fastest Animal In The World

Cheetah, Pronghorn Antelope, Springbok, African Wild Dog, Peregrine Falcon, Brazilian Free-tailed Bats, Sailfish, Black Marlin, Dolphin, Swordfish, Dragon Fly, Horsefly, Galápagos Tortoise, White-Throated Needletail, Swift, Golden Eagle, Spur Winged Goose

Animals are fascinating creatures, and some of them can run, fly or swim incredibly fast! Have you ever wondered who are the world's fastest animals? In this article, we'll introduce you to a list of the fastest animals in the world, including where they live, what they eat, their average speed and what you can do to help them.

Who is the Fastest Animal 

peregrine falcon sitting on a wooden branch

The peregrine falcon is the fastest creature alive! With wings that can reach speeds of up to 242 miles per hour, it is much faster than any other animal on earth, including Usain Bolt, who holds the record for the fastest human speed at just 28.5 mph. Unlike some other animals, these amazing birds don't need to rely on speed alone for hunting - they are also extremely agile in the air due to their long, pointed wings and sharp eyesight. They use a mix of flying skills and high speeds to swoop down on unsuspecting prey from above. They are also the fastest flying animal and fastest member of the animal kingdom. Although not necessarily aggressive, these stunning creatures use their extraordinary speed and agility in order to out-maneuver or outrun predators or prey when necessary. With such power and strength under its wings, the peregrine falcon truly is one of nature's most impressive natural wonders!

a cheetah in the wild

The world's fastest land animal is the cheetah. Cheetahs are the fastest mammals known for their incredible speed and agility. They can reach speeds of up to 60 to 70 miles per hour (97 to 113 kilometers per hour) in short bursts, making them the fastest land animals on Earth. Cheetahs are built for peak speed with long, slender bodies, powerful leg muscles, and special adaptations that allow them to chase down their prey with remarkable swiftness.

 The Speedy Ostrich is a bird that's faster than most animals on land as a two legged animal. Ostriches are like the Olympic sprinters of the fastest bird world. They can run as fast as 45 miles per hour, which is like zooming in a race car! They live in Africa, in places where it's warm and sunny. They're the kings of the savanna, with their long legs and speedy moves. Even though they can't fly like other birds, ostriches make up for it with their powerful legs. They use those legs to run away from any danger and catch their favorite food, which is plants and sometimes small creatures.

Fastest Land Animals:

Cheetah: Cheetahs are super-speedy cats that live in Africa. They can run at top speed as fast as a car on the highway, which is about 60-70 miles per hour at short distances. That's way faster than the fastest human sprinter! Cheetahs are found in eastern and southern Africa and are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. Unfortunately, these beautiful large cats are endangered, and one way to help them is to support conservation organizations that protect their habitats. 

Pronghorn Antelope: These quick antelopes live in North America. They can run up to 55 miles per hour, which is like racing against a really fast car!

Springbok: Springboks are found in southern Africa. They bounce and dash at speeds of about 50 miles per hour, like racing against a speedy bicycle.

Quarter Horse: These horses are super fast and can be found all around the world. They can gallop at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour, faster than the fastest human can run!

African Wild Dog: The African wild dog is a fast runner, capable of reaching speeds of up to 44 miles per hour. These dogs are found in sub-Saharan Africa and are carnivores, feeding on small mammals like gazelles and antelopes. African wild dogs are also endangered, and one way to help them is by supporting conservation groups that protect their habitats.

Fastest Flying Animals:

Peregrine Falcon: Peregrine falcons are like feathered fighter jets and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. When they hunt, they dive from the sky at an astonishing 240 miles per hour, way faster than any human-made airplane!

Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat: These bats are like speedy superheroes of the night and can be found in the Americas. They fly such high speeds of 100 miles per hour, much faster than a car on the highway!

Fastest Swimming Animals:

Sailfish: Sailfish are like the Olympic swimmers of the sea, known to be the fastest fish and are often found in warm oceans. They can swim as fast as 68 miles per hour at full speed, like racing against a motorboat! 

Black Marlin: Black marlins are like the speedy race cars of the ocean and live in warm seas. They can cruise at about 82 miles per hour, faster than most boats!

Dolphin: Dolphins are like the acrobats of the sea and live in oceans all around the world. They can swim at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour, faster than most speedboats!

Swordfish: Swordfish are like underwater speedsters and can be found in warm Atlantic oceans. They swim at about 50 miles per hour, like racing against a speedboat.

Fastest Insects:

Dragonfly: Dragonflies are like tiny fighter planes in the insect world and can be found all over the world. They fly at up to 36 miles per hour, which is faster than the fastest bicycle!

Horsefly: These flies are like tiny speedsters and can be found in many places. They zip around at about 20 miles per hour, like racing against a scooter.

Fastest Land Tortoise Reptile:

Galápagos Tortoise: These tortoises are not speedy at all and live on the Galápagos Islands. They plod along at a slow 0.2 miles per hour, much slower than even the slowest human walk.

Fastest Flying Bird:

White-Throated Needletail: Meet the White-Throated Needletail, a super-speedy bird that's known for its lightning-fast level flight! These birds are like little speedsters in the sky. They can fly as fast as 105 miles per hour at maximum speed! That's faster than some cars on the highway! White-Throated Needletails can be found in places like Asia and Australia. They love to soar high up in the sky, and they're often seen near cliffs and mountains.

Swift: Swifts are like the marathon runners of the sky and live in many places. They fly continuously for long distances at great speeds.

Golden Eagle: Golden eagles are like the mighty rulers of the mountains and can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are known for their strong and fast flight.

Spur-Winged Goose: The spur-winged goose is the fastest water bird, capable of flying at speeds of up to 88 miles per hour! These geese are found in sub-Saharan Africa and are herbivores, feeding on grasses and other plant materials. You can help spur-winged geese by supporting wetland conservation efforts that protect their habitats.

These animals are amazing in their own ways, whether they're racing on land, soaring through the sky, or zooming underwater. They're like nature's own superheroes!

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In Conclusion

After learning about some of the world's fastest animals, it’s important to remember that these amazing fastest creatures can often become threatened in the wild. It is our job to ensure that we protect their habitats and provide them with essential resources such as food and water. By understanding more about wildlife biology, we can better assess what actions we should take to help keep these amazing animals alive for generations to come.  From the Cheetah animal speeds to the Wild Dog agility, these animals give us a unique window into the power of nature’s speed! We have discussed where each of these animals lives, what they eat and how fast they are. It is clear that these remarkable creatures are gifts from nature – so next time let’s work together to make sure they remain part of our world for many years to come.

Aysa Zebekow

Aysa is a full-time mom, freelance artist/author, and animal lover. Go here to read her insane story, “My Story”. Feel free to send a message to Aysa, then visit her contact page here.

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