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Human sprinters are no match to these brutes of speed. In a world where speed means survival, running is not just for sport or recreation. These animals use running both as a hunting tactic and a defensive tool. If they want to catch their prey, they run. If they want to avoid getting eaten, they run. Whatever the reason, it’s a quick way to hold out and live another day. Here are ten of the world’s fastest land animals, agile beasts living in the fast lane.
10. Gray Fox
The gray fox is a fast and agile hunter found in North and Central America. It is a relatively small canine, weighing approximately 10 lbs. It is a solitary animal, preferring to hunt alone or with a mating partner. It has the ability to climb trees (unique among canines) and can jump from one branch to another. The gray fox can be a very fast runner if it needs to be, reaching speeds up to 42 mph.
9. Coyote
The coyote of the Warner Bros. cartoons may not keep up with its prey, but in real life, the coyote is one of the fastest land animals around. Like the gray fox, the coyote can be found scattered through most of North and Central America, from Panama to Canada. It grows up to 40 inches and weighs 40 lbs. Its diet consists mostly of small animals, like mice and rabbits. It is a persistent hunter, not giving up on its prey for hours on end. When running, the coyote’s average speed is about 43 mph.
8. African Wild Dog
The African Wild Dog, also known as the Cape Hunting Dog, is a type of wild canine found only in Africa. The wild dog is about 30 inches high in the shoulder and weighs around 70 lbs. The dogs hunt in packs, and their favorite prey consists of smaller hoofed animals such as the impala. When chasing after prey, the African Wild Dog can run as fast as 45 mph. These dogs are highly coordinated in downing prey. Two dogs each hold the prey’s tail and lip, while the rest attack the body as it goes down.
The African Wild Dog is one of the most endangered carnivores in Africa, with only 3,000 remaining. Their decline is said to be caused by overhunting by humans and loss of their natural habitat.
7. Elk
The elk, or wapiti, is one of the largest species of deer in the world – only the moose is bigger. The elk can be found in eastern Asia and North America. It is similar in appearance to the European red deer, but each is considered a different species. The elk is a very fast runner, reaching 45 mph over long periods of time.
The male elk is notable for its large, branching antlers, which it uses to fight other males for territorial dominance. These antlers are shed and replaced every year, and discarded elk antlers often fetch high prices in commercial markets. Elk can be domesticated and bred for their meat and hide.
6. Thomson’s Gazelle
Average speed: 50 mph
5. Lion
The Thomson’s gazelle may be fast, but so are its predators. One of them is the so-called king of the big cats, the lion. Lions are powerful creatures, hunting and living in groups called prides. The pride is usually led by a large male, but the real hunters of the group are the females. Lions feed on smaller creatures, like the Thomson’s gazelle, but they can also take down larger animals like zebras and wildebeest. The lion is a large feline, weighing up to 550 lbs., but it can rush after its prey quickly, with spurts reaching 50 mph.
4. Wildebeest
The wildebeest, also called a gnu, is a type of antelope native to Africa. It can grow up to 4 ½ feet at the shoulders and weigh up to 500 pounds. Wildebeest can be found in the open woodlands and grasslands of the African Serengeti, where they live in large groups. The area is also inhabited by lions, cheetahs and other predators. In order to survive, wildebeest need to run fast and in clusters. A running wildebeest can reach speeds of up to 50 mph, as fast as the lion and Thomson’s gazelle. If it’s not hunted down or killed by disease, a wildebeest can live 20 years or more.
3. Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse, or simply the Quarter Horse, is the most popular breed of horse in the United States. The horse got its name because of its tendency to run very fast for a quarter mile or so. Its average speed is 55mph. Quarter Horses are used primarily for racing, but can be used in ranches, horse shows, and rodeos as well. Quarter Horses are specially bred to handle the difficult maneuvers needed in racing.
* Wanna ride these spitfires, then learn how to ride a horse.
2. Pronghorn
The pronghorn is a type of hoofed mammal that lives in the grasslands and bushlands of western North America. Compared to other types of hoofed animals, the pronghorn cannot jump effectively, so it compensates by running very fast. The pronghorn is considered the fastest land animal in the western world, with running speeds averaging 61 mph. It can maintain its top speed for a long period, outlasting and outrunning many predators.
1. Cheetah
The fastest land animal on record is the cheetah, a member of the cat family (Felidae) that lives in the African savanna. Unlike most big cats that use brute force and stalking abilities to catch their prey, the cheetah will rush toward an animal at astonishing speeds. When hunting, the average speed of a cheetah is 70 mph, but it can reach up to 80 mph. The cheetah is known to accelerate from zero to 68 mph in just three seconds, a feat that even some sports cars can’t achieve. Unlike the pronghorn, however, the cheetah can only sustain its speed for short bursts.
These animals are fast for a reason. For them, the difference between escape and becoming someone’s lunch may just be a few more yards. They were listed here based on the calculated speed the animal reaches when running. The list does not distinguish between short or lengthy sprints, as long as the animal has a calculated average speed.
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