Fastest animals#Mammals
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Dynamic list}}
This is a list of the fastest animals in the world, by types of animal.
Fastest organism
The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird, and the fastest member of the animal kingdom, with a diving speed of over {{convert|300|kph|abbr=on}}. The fastest land animal is the cheetah. Among the fastest animals in the sea is the black marlin, with uncertain and conflicting reports of recorded speeds.{{cite journal |last1=Svendsen |first1=Morten B. S. |last2=Domenici |first2=Paolo |last3=Marras |first3=Stefano |last4=Krause |first4=Jens |last5=Boswell |first5=Kevin M. |last6=Rodriguez-Pinto |first6=Ivan |last7=Wilson |first7=Alexander D. M. |last8=Kurvers |first8=Ralf H. J. M. |last9=Viblanc |first9=Paul E. |last10=Finger |first10=Jean S. |last11=Steffensen |first11=John F. |title=Maximum swimming speeds of sailfish and three other large marine predatory fish species based on muscle contraction time and stride length: a myth revisited |journal=Biology Open |year=2016 |volume=5 |issue=10 |pages=1415–1419 |doi=10.1242/bio.019919 |pmid=27543056 |pmc=5087677}}{{cite journal |last1=Iosilevskii |first1=G |last2=Weihs |first2=D |title=Speed limits on swimming of fishes and cetaceans |journal=Journal of the Royal Society Interface |year=2008 |volume=5 |issue=20 |pages=329–338 |doi=10.1098/rsif.2007.1073 |pmid=17580289 |pmc=2607394}}
When drawing comparisons between different classes of animals, an alternative unit is sometimes used for organisms: body length per second. On this basis the 'fastest' organism on earth, relative to its body length, is the Southern Californian mite, Paratarsotomus macropalpis, which has a speed of 322 body lengths per second.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/science/mite-sets-new-record-as-world-s-fastest-land-animal/article1-1213098.aspx |title=Mite runs faster than cheetah, sets record as world's fastest land animal. |author=PTI |date=28 April 2014|publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=28 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428223113/http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/science/mite-sets-new-record-as-world-s-fastest-land-animal/article1-1213098.aspx |archive-date=28 April 2014 |df=dmy-all}} The equivalent speed for a human, running as fast as this mite, would be {{convert|1300|mph|km/h|abbr=on|0}},{{cite web |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140427191124.htm |title=Mite sets new record as world's fastest land animal |author=Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) |date=27 April 2014 |work=Featured Research |publisher=ScienceDaily |access-date=28 April 2014}} or approximately Mach 1.7. The speed of the P. macropalpis is far in excess of the previous record holder, the Australian tiger beetle Rivacindela eburneola, which is the fastest insect in the world relative to body size, with a recorded speed of {{convert|1.86|m/s|km/h mph}}, or 171 body lengths per second.{{cite web |url=http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/chapters/chapter_39.shtml |title=Chapter 39: Fastest Runner |author=Merritt, Thomas M. |date=31 July 1999 |work=Book of Insect Records |publisher=University of Florida |access-date=28 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110111245/http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/chapters/chapter_39.shtml |archive-date=10 November 2013 |df=dmy-all }} The cheetah, the fastest land mammal, scores at only 16 body lengths per second.
Invertebrates
| class="wikitable sortable"
! width=100|Animal ! width=100|Maximum recorded speed !Class ! class="unsortable" |Notes |
| Horsefly
|{{convert|145|km/h|abbr=on}} |Flight | The pursuit maneuver used by male Hybomitra hinei wrighti, measured by interpolation of slow-motion cinematography. |
| Austrophlebia costalis
|{{convert|98.6|km/h|abbr=on}} |Flight |Fastest verified insect flight |
| Members of Loliginidae and Ommastrephidae
|{{convert|36|km/h|abbr=on}} |Flight-swimming |Many of these species "fly" out of the water to escape danger. The Japanese flying squid can glide for 3 seconds over 30 metres. |
| Tiger beetle
| {{convert|4.2|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} |Land | The Australian tiger beetle, Rivacindela eburneola, is one of the fastest running insects in the world relative to body size, which has been recorded at {{convert|4.2|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} or 171 body lengths per second. It can fly at {{convert|27|mph|order=flip|abbr=on}}. |
| Paratarsotomus macropalpis
| {{convert|22|cm/s|abbr=on}} |Land | 0.7 mm long mite endemic to Southern California, tracked running up to 322 body lengths per second, equivalent to a human running at around {{convert|2,092|km/h|abbr=on}}. Because of this feat, it is ranked the fastest animal on the planet relative to its body size. It can also achieve this speed across a concrete surface at a temperature of {{convert|60|C}}, which is lethal to many animals.[http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-mite-paratarsotomus-macropalpis-fastest-animal-01887.html Mite Paratarsotomus macropalpis is World's Fastest Terrestrial Animal, Study Says], Sci-News.com, 28 April 2014. Retrieved May 2014. |
Fish
Due to physical constraints, fish may be incapable of exceeding swim speeds of {{cvt|36|kph}}. The larger reported figures below are therefore highly questionable:
| class="wikitable sortable"
! width=100| Animal ! width=90| Maximum recorded speed !Class ! class="unsortable" |Notes | ||
| Black marlin | {{convert|80|mph|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} {{dubious|date=October 2021}} |Swimming | A hooked black marlin has been recorded stripping line off a fishing reel at {{convert|118|ft/s|mph km/h|0}}. |
| Sailfish | {{convert|67.85|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}{{dubious|date=October 2021}}
|Swimming | In a series of tests carried out in a fishing cam at Long Key, Florida, United States, sailfish swam and leapt {{convert|91|meter |
| 1}} in 3 seconds, equivalent to a speed of {{convert|109|km/h|abbr=on}}, although this speed includes leaps out of the water, which do not strictly qualify as swimming speed. | ||
| Swordfish | {{convert|60|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}{{dubious|date=October 2021}}
|Swimming | The {{convert|60|mph|abbr=on}} figure listed for the swordfish is based on a corrupted version of calculations made by Sir James Gray to estimate the impact speed necessary for a hypothetical {{convert|600|lb|adj=on}} swordfish to embed its sword 3 feet in the timbers of ships, as has been known to occur; the figure seems to have entered the literature without question as though someone had actually timed a swordfish at that speed. |
| Yellowfin tuna | {{convert|47|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} {{cite journal|last=Block|first=Barbara A.|author2=Booth, David |author3=Carey, Francis G. |title=Direct measurement of swimming speeds and depth of blue marlin|journal=Journal of Experimental Biology|year=1992|volume=166|issue=1 |pages=267–284|url=http://jeb.biologists.org/content/166/1/267.full.pdf|access-date=19 September 2012|publisher=Company of Biologists Ltd.|doi=10.1242/jeb.166.1.267|bibcode=1992JExpB.166..267B |issn=0022-0949}}{{dubious|date=October 2021}} |Swimming | Many tuna species are capable of swimming at fast speeds colloquially cited at around {{convert|50|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}}. The tails of tuna move fast enough to cause cavitation, which slows them down as vapour accumulates. Tuna have bony fins without nerve endings, which prevents the fish from feeling the pain of cavitation but does not fully protect them from the implosive damage. |
| Shortfin mako shark | {{convert|45|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}{{dubious|date=October 2021}}
|Swimming | Underwater and unimpeded by a fishing line, the Shortfin mako has been reliably clocked at {{cvt|31|mph|order=flip}}, and there is a claim that one individual of this species achieved a burst speed of {{cvt|46|mph|order=flip}}. But it is extremely difficult to get a fish in the wild to swim in a straight line over a measured course. Laboratory measurements of numerous kinds of fishes – representing a wide range of body sizes – swimming against an artificial current have revealed a surprisingly uniform maximum burst speed of about 10 times the body length per second. Thus, for an average-sized, {{cvt|6.5|foot|0|order=flip}} shortfin, its theoretical maximum speed might be something on the order of {{cvt|45|mph|order=flip}}. Yet some estimates of the top-speed of a shortfin mako are considerably higher. |
Amphibians
| class="wikitable"
!Animal !Maximum recorded speed !Class ! Notes |
| Nauta salamander
|{{convert|15.00|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} |Land |Also known as the Andean Salamander, it is the fastest amphibian recorded.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldanimalfoundation.com/wild-animals/amphibians/|title=Amphibian Facts by World Animal Foundation}}{{Cite web|url=https://roaring.earth/animal-olympics-whos-the-fastest/#:~:text=Speed%3A%2015%20mph&text=Unfortunately%2C%20amphibians%20are%20not%20known,speeds%20of%20about%2015%20mph.|title=Animal Olympics: Who's the Fastest?| work=Roaring Earth |date=11 July 2016 | last1=Walsh | first1=Ben }} |
Reptiles
Birds
{{See also|List of birds by flight speed}}
Mammals
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|64|km/h|abbr=on}}{{cite web| publisher=National Geographic Society| title=Thomson's Gazelle: Gazella thomsonii| work=National Geographic| date=11 November 2010| access-date=7 January 2013| url=http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/gazelle/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114010904/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/gazelle/| url-status=dead| archive-date=14 January 2010}} and {{convert|70|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite web| last1=Auman| first1=Amy| first2=Rachael|last2= Fye|first3= Tanya|last3= Dewey|publisher= University of Michigan Museum of Zoology| title=Eudorcas thomsonii: Thomson's gazelle| work=Animal Diversity Web| access-date=7 January 2013 |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Eudorcas_thomsonii/}}}}
|Land
||Thomson's gazelles, being long-distance runners, can escape cheetahs by sheer endurance. Their speed is partially due to their "stotting", or bounding leaps.
80 km/h estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
A top speed of 65.2 km/h is obtained by calculating the distance and time it takes a gazelle to escape from an approaching human.{{Cite journal |last=Holmern |first=T. |last2=Setsaas |first2=T. H. |last3=Melis |first3=C. |last4=Tufto |first4=J. |last5=Røskaft |first5=E. |date=2016 |title=Effects of experimental human approaches on escape behavior in Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301601541_Effects_of_experimental_human_approaches_on_escape_behavior_in_Thomson's_gazelle_Eudorcas_thomsonii |journal=Behavioral Ecology |volume=27 |issue=5 |pages=1432–1440 |doi=10.1093/beheco/arw052 |issn=1045-2249}}
Film analysis of lion hunts gives a maximum speed of 90 km/h.{{Cite journal |last=Sorkin |first=B. |date=2008 |title=Limb bone stresses during fast locomotion in the African lion and its bovid prey |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230025975_Limb_bone_stresses_during_fast_locomotion_in_the_African_lion_and_its_bovid_prey |journal=Journal of Zoology |language=en |volume=276 |issue=2 |pages=213–218 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.2008.00477.x |issn=1469-7998}}
|-
||{{convert|80.5|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{Cite book |last1=Schaller |first1=George B. |url=https://archive.org/details/serengetilion00geor/page/233/mode/1up?view=theater |title=The Serengeti lion [electronic resource] a study of predator-prey relations |others=Drawings by Richard Keane |date=1976 |publisher=Chicago : University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-73640-2 |pages=233}}{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|70|km/h|abbr=on}} (specifically the black wildebeest), "approximately 80 km/h or 50 mph",{{cite book| publisher=Cambridge University Press| isbn=9780521576734| last=McGowan| first=Christopher| title=A Practical Guide to Vertebrate Mechanics| date=1999|page=162}} and "over 50 miles per hour [80.5 km/h]" (specifically the blue wildebeest).{{cite web| last=PBS| title=Animal Guide: Blue Wildebeest| work=Nature| access-date=8 January 2013| url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/animal-guides/animal-guide-blue-wildebeest/3255/| archive-date=15 June 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615011916/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/animal-guides/animal-guide-blue-wildebeest/3255/| url-status=dead}}}}
|Land
||The wildebeest, an antelope, exists as two species: the blue wildebeest and the black wildebeest. Both are extremely fast runners, which allows them to flee from predators. They are better at maintaining endurance for long distances than at sprinting.
Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
|| {{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{cite book|title=Walker's Mammals of the World|url=https://archive.org/details/walkersmammalsof0002nowa|url-access=registration|last=Nowak|first=Ronald M.|date= 1999|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=9780801857898|page=[https://archive.org/details/walkersmammalsof0002nowa/page/1193 1193]}}
|Land
||The blackbuck antelope can sustain speeds of {{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}} for over {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=on}} at a time. Each of its strides (i.e., the distance between its hoofprints) is {{convert|19|-|22|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}.
|-
||{{convert|64-80|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land
||Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
||{{convert|70-80|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land
||Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
||{{convert|60-80|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land
||Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
|Lion
||{{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/things-you-didnt-know-about-lions/ |title=Everything you need to know about lions |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=CBS |date=10 August 2015}}
|Land
||While hunting, a lioness can generate top speed up to 80 km/h in short bursts.
|-
|Hare ||{{convert|57-80|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land|| Hares can reach maximum speeds of {{convert|35|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}{{Cite web | url=http://animaldiversity.org/site/accounts/information/Lepus_europaeus.html | title=Lepus europaeus (European hare)| website=Animal Diversity Web}} in short distances of approximately 90 meters, and a top speed of {{convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} for about 20 meters.{{cite book| publisher=IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), Lagomorph Specialist Group| isbn=2831700191| last1=Chapman| first1=Joseph| last2=Flux | first2=John |title=Rabbits, Hares and Pikas : Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan
| date=1990|page=2}}
|-
||{{convert|58-72|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|64|km/h|abbr=on}},{{cite journal |last1=Virchow| first1=Dallas| first2=Scott |last2=Hygnstrom|first3= Dennis |last3=Ferraro| title=G03-1526 Prevention and Control of Rabbit Damage| journal=Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension| date=1 January 2003}}{{cite web| publisher=National Geographic Society| title=Jackrabbit: Lepus californicus| work=National Geographic| date=11 April 2010| access-date=9 January 2013| url=http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/jackrabbit/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207174802/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/jackrabbit/| url-status=dead| archive-date=7 February 2010}} {{convert|70|km/h|abbr=on}},{{cite book| publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning| isbn=9780763762995| last1=Vaughan| first1=Terry| first2=James |last2=Ryan|first3= Nicholas |last3=Czaplewski| title=Mammalogy| date= 2011}}{{rp|237}}{{cite book| publisher=University of Oklahoma Press| isbn=9780806131467| last=Mares| first=Michael A.| author2=Oklahoma Museum of Natural History| title=Deserts| year=199|page=310}} and {{convert|72|km/h|abbr=on}} (some attribute this to the antelope jackrabbit,{{cite book| edition=2nd| publisher=The Johns Hopkins University Press| isbn=978-0801874161| editor2-first=Thompson| editor2-last=Bruce C.| editor-first=George A. |editor-last=Feldhamer|editor3-first= Joseph A. |editor3-last=Chapman| title=Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation| year= 2003|pages=65, 140, 909}} others to the white-tailed jackrabbit,{{cite web| publisher=Nevada Department of Wildlife| title=Whitetailed jackrabbit| work=Nevada Wildlife: Fact Sheets| access-date=9 January 2013| url=http://ndow.org/wild/animals/facts/rabbits_whitetailed_jack.shtm| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817151441/http://ndow.org/wild/animals/facts/rabbits_whitetailed_jack.shtm| archive-date=17 August 2012| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}{{cite web| publisher=Iowa Department of Natural Resources| title=White-tailed Jackrabbit| date =March 2004 |url=https://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/Hunting/history_jackrabbit.pdf }} and still others to jackrabbits in general.{{cite book| publisher=Cengage Learning| isbn=9780766826816| last=Deal| first=Kevin H.| title=Wildlife & Natural Resource Management| date=2002|page=129}})}}
|Land
||The jackrabbit's strong hind legs allow it to leap {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}} in one bound; some can even reach {{convert|6|m|abbr=on}}.{{cite web| last=Ballenger| first=Liz| publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology| title=Lepus californicus: black-tailed jackrabbit| work=Animal Diversity Web| access-date=9 January 2013| url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lepus_californicus/}} Jackrabbits use a combination of leaps and zig-zags to outrun predators.
|-
||{{convert|60-71|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|66|km/h|abbr=on}}{{cite book| publisher=Marshall Cavendish| isbn=9780761471981| title=Endangered Wildlife and Plants of the World: Dee-fox| url=https://archive.org/details/endangeredwildli13mars| url-access=registration| year=2001|page=458}} and {{convert|71|km/h|abbr=on}}{{cite web| last=World Wildlife Fund| title=African Wild Dog| work=Species| access-date=10 January 2013| url=http://worldwildlife.org/species/african-wild-dog}}{{cite book| publisher=Basic Books| isbn=9780813339368| last1=Hart| first1=Donna L.| first2=Robert W.| last2=Sussman| title=Man The Hunted: Primates, Predators, and Human Evolution| year=2005| page=[https://archive.org/details/manhuntedprimate00hart/page/105 105]| url=https://archive.org/details/manhuntedprimate00hart/page/105}}}}
|Land
||When hunting, African wild dogs can sprint at {{convert|41|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} in bursts, and they can maintain speeds of {{convert|35|-|37|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} for up to {{convert|3|mi|abbr=on|order=flip}}.{{cite web| last=African Wildlife Foundation| title=African Wild Dog| access-date=10 January 2013| url=http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/africanwilddog}}{{cite web| publisher=San Diego Zoo| title=African Wild Dog| work=Animal Bytes| access-date=10 January 2013| url=http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-wild_dog.html}} Their targeted prey rarely escapes.
|-
||{{convert|50-71|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include "more than 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour)"{{cite web| last=Zoological Society of San Diego| title=Animal Bytes: Kangaroo and Wallaby| work=San Diego Zoo| access-date=8 January 2013| url=http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-kangaroo.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927154255/http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-kangaroo.html| archive-date=27 September 2011| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}} and {{convert|44|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}}.}}
|Land
||The comfortable hopping speed for a kangaroo is about {{convert|13|-|16|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}}, but speeds of up to {{convert|44|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} can be attained over short distances, while it can sustain a speed of {{convert|25|mph|abbr=on|order=flip}} for nearly {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}}.{{cite book | last=Penny | first=Malcolm | title=The Secret Life of Kangaroos | publisher=Raintree Steck-Vaughn | year=2002 | location=Austin, TX | isbn=978-0739849866 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/kangaroos0000penn}} The faster a kangaroo hops, the less energy it consumes (up to its cruising speed).
|-
||{{convert|60-70|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|67|km/h|abbr=on}},{{cite book| publisher=John Wiley & Sons| isbn=9780764558986| last=Branigan| first=Cynthia A.| title=Adopting the Racing Greyhound| date=14 April 2004|page=17}} {{convert|68.4|km/h|abbr=on}},{{cite journal| doi=10.1242/jeb.075788| issn=0022-0949| volume=215| issue=14| page=i| last=Knight| first=Kathryn| title=How Cheetahs Outpace Greyhounds| journal=The Journal of Experimental Biology| date=15 July 2012| doi-access=free| bibcode=2012JExpB.215RU..1K}} and {{convert|69|km/h|abbr=on}}.}}
|Land
||Greyhounds are the fastest dogs, and have primarily been bred for coursing game and racing.
|-
||{{convert|60-70|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|64|km/h|abbr=on}},{{cite book| publisher=University of California Press| isbn=9780520244061| last1=Cooke| first1=Fred| first2=Jenni| last2=Bruce| title=The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide| date= 2004| url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofan0000unse_t2v7}}{{rp|169}} {{convert|69|km/h|abbr=on}} (specifically for the kulan subspecies),{{cite web| last=Reuter| first=Bradley| publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology| title=Equus hemionus: kulan| work=Animal Diversity Web| access-date=8 January 2013| url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Equus_hemionus/}} and {{convert|70|km/h|abbr=on}} (specifically for the Persian subspecies).{{cite web| last=Grogan| first=Jill| publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology| title=Equus hemionus onager: onager| work=Animal Diversity Web| access-date=8 January 2013| url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Equus_hemionus_onager/}} }}
|Land
||The onager consists of several subspecies, which most likely share the same ability to run at high speeds.
|-
||{{convert|56-70|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|35|mph|abbr=on}}{{cite web| last= Zoological Society of San Diego| title=Animal Bytes: Zebra| work=San Diego Zoo| access-date=8 January 2013| url=http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-zebra.html}} and {{convert|40|mph|abbr=on}} for both the Grévy's zebra and Burchell's zebra.{{cite web| last=African Wildlife Foundation| title=Grevy's Zebra| access-date=8 January 2013| url=http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/grevyszebra}}{{cite web| publisher=Oregon Zoo| title=Damara zebra| access-date=8 January 2013| url= http://www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/damara-zebra| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118032543/http://oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/damara-zebra| archive-date=18 January 2013| url-status=dead | df=dmy-all}}}}
|Land
||Zebras have a home range anywhere between {{convert|11|and|232|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} and they can travel {{convert|10|mi|abbr=on}} a day while grazing.
Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
||{{convert|55-70|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land
|Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
||{{convert|60-65|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|64|km/h|abbr=on|sigfig=3}},{{cite book| publisher=University of California Press| isbn=9780520211995| last1=Verts| first1=B. J.| first2=Leslie N. |last2=Carraway| title=Land Mammals of Oregon| year=1998|page=360}} {{convert|40|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=3|order=flip}},{{cite web| last=U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service| title=The Coyote| work=Big Bend National Park| access-date=10 January 2013| url=https://home.nps.gov/bibe/learn/nature/coyote.htm}} and {{convert|65|km/h|abbr=on}}{{cite book| publisher=Marshall Cavendish| isbn=9780761479383| title=North American Wildlife| date= 2010}}{{rp|55}} }}
|Land
||Coyotes can easily reach {{convert|48|km/h|abbr=on}}, and can sprint at {{convert|65|km/h|abbr=on}} when hunting. Even without a front foot, a coyote can still run at around {{convert|32|km/h|abbr=on}}.
|-
||{{convert|56-64|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Flight
||Big brown bats are reported to be one of the fastest bats reaching speeds of up to 40 mph.{{Cite web | url=https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/bats/Big%20Brown%20Bat.php | title=Big Brown Bat Fact Sheet}}
|-
||{{convert|55-64|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|64|km/h|abbr=on|sigfig=3}},{{cite web| title=Marine Mammals – Descriptions & Behavior| work=MarineBio.org | access-date=28 April 2013 | url=http://marinebio.org/oceans/marine-mammals.asp}} }}
|Swimming
||Common dolphins are the fastest marine mammals. When reaching their top speed, they take very short breaths. As an example, fin whales, which are much larger, can empty and refill their lungs in 2 seconds
|-
||{{convert|56-64|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|40|mph|abbr=on}}{{cite web| last=Environmental Graffiti activist site| title=50 Fun Facts About Tigers| access-date=5 February 2014| url=http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/animals/news-50-fun-facts-about-tigers?image=11| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801060447/http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/animals/news-50-fun-facts-about-tigers?image=11| archive-date=1 August 2013| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}}}
|Land
||Tigers live in jungles, and have been recorded going anywhere from {{convert|30|mph|abbr=on}} to {{convert|40|mph|abbr=on}}; much like the cheetah and lion, however, they only maintain this for a short burst.
|-
||{{convert|50-60|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{efn|Estimates include {{convert|30|mph|abbr=on}},{{cite web| last=Zoological Society of San Diego| title=Animal Bytes: Spotted Hyena| work=San Diego Zoo| access-date=8 January 2013| url=http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-spotted_hyena.html}} {{convert|40|-|50|km/h|order=flip|abbr=on}} (specifically for the brown hyena){{cite web| last=Schmidtke| first=Mike | publisher=University of Michigan: Museum of Zoology| title=Hyaena brunnea: brown hyena| work=Animal Diversity Web| access-date=8 January 2013| url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hyaena%20brunnea.html}} and {{convert|60|km/h|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{rp|160}}{{cite book| publisher=IUCN| isbn=9782831704425| last1=Mills| first1=M. G. L.| first2=Gus|last2= Mills|first3= Heribert |last3=Hofer| title=Hyaenas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan| year=1998|page=33}} }}
|Land
||The hyena can run up to {{convert|60|km/h|abbr=on}}; some attribute this performance specifically to the spotted hyena. They use their speed to chase their prey, sometimes traveling {{convert|15|mi|abbr=on}} in a single chase.
|-
||{{convert|52-60|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land
||Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
||{{convert|50-56|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land
||Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
|Orca
||{{convert|56|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{Cite web |title=Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) {{!}} U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |url=https://www.fws.gov/species/killer-whale-orcinus-orca#:~:text=fastest,%2056%20km/h |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.fws.gov |language=en}}{{cite journal |last1=Jie |first1=Min Zhan. |title=Gliding locomotion of manta rays, killer whales and swordfish near the water surface|journal=Scientific Reports |date=24 March 2017|volume=7 |issue=1 |page=406 |doi=10.1038/s41598-017-00399-y |pmid=28341854 |pmc=5428224 |bibcode=2017NatSR...7..406Z }}
|Swimming
|Orcas are the fastest marine mammals.
|-
||{{convert|48-56|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{Cite web|last=Kearns|first=William E.|date=January–February 1937|title=The Speed of Grizzly Bears. Yellowstone National Park (Nature Notes)|url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/yell/vol14-1-2a.htm|access-date=2021-05-12|website=www.nps.gov}}{{cite journal | doi=10.1111/J.1469-7998.1983.TB02087.X | title=The relation between maximal running speed and body mass in terrestrial mammals | year=1983 | last1=Garland | first1=Theodore | journal=Journal of Zoology | volume=199 | issue=2 | pages=157–170}}
|Land
||Although it has been said anecdotally that grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) can run at 56 km/h, the maximum speed reliably recorded at Yellowstone is 48 km/h. It has been speculated that American black bears (Ursus americanus) can run at the same speed.
|-
||{{convert|55|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
[http://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/species_of_rhino/black_rhinos/black_rhino_factfile Black rhino information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817205808/http://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/species_of_rhino/black_rhinos/black_rhino_factfile |date=17 August 2014 }}, Save the Rhino
|Land
|They are very fast and can get up to speeds of 55 km/h running on their toes.
|-
||{{convert|48-55|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
|Land
||Estimated by observing the odometer when an animal ran at its maximum speed, alongside a vehicle on a road.
|-
||{{convert|46|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{cite web |url=http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/finwale.htm |title=Fin Whale |publisher=Canadian Museum of Nature |access-date=8 March 2025 |archive-date=5 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205215748/http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/english/finwale.htm |url-status=live}}
|Swimming
|Bursts up to {{cvt|46|km/h}} have been recorded, earning the fin whale the nickname "the greyhound of the sea".
|-
|| Instantaneous: {{convert|44.244|km/h|mph|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
Sprinting (100 m): {{convert|23.35|mph|abbr=on|sortable=on|order=flip}}
Long distance (marathon): {{convert|13.04|mph|abbr=on|sortable=on|order=flip}}
|Land
||Usain Bolt holds the {{nowrap|100 m}}etre world record at 9.58 seconds. His absolute fastest speed during that sprint was {{convert|12.29|m/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}} at 67.90 metres. The average speed of this race, including the brief reaction time immediately after the commencement of the race, was {{convert|10.44|m/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}}.[http://www.meathathletics.ie/devathletes/pdf/Biomechanics%20of%20Sprints.pdf Biomechanical Analysis of the Sprint and Hurdles events at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics (Rolf Graubner & Eberhard Nixdorf, New Studies in Athletics (2011) 26: 1/2]
At distances greater than 400 metres, the human body requires oxygen to sustain such paces, and speed significantly tapers at this point. The mile run world record is held by Hicham El Guerrouj with a time of 3:43.13, corresponding to {{convert|26.25|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The marathon world record is held by Kelvin Kiptum with a time of 2:00:35, corresponding to {{convert|20.99|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. The world record for longest distance run continuously is held by James Stanistreet, who ran {{convert|563|km|miles|abbr=on}} in 80 hours 44 minutes without stopping.
In the absence of significant external factors, non-athletic humans tend to walk at about {{convert|1.4|m/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}} and run at about {{convert|5.1|m/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite journal |last1=Browning |first1=Raymond C. |last2=Baker |first2=Emily A. |last3=Herron |first3=Jessica A. |last4=Kram |first4=Rodger |s2cid=16149098 |title=Effects of obesity and sex on the energetic cost and preferred speed of walking |journal=Journal of Applied Physiology |volume=100 |issue=2 |pages=390–398 |year=2006 |citeseerx=10.1.1.940.7503 |doi=10.1152/japplphysiol.00767.2005 |pmid=16210434}}{{cite journal|title=Visual flow influences gait transition speed and preferred walking speed |author1=Mohler, B. J. |author2=Thompson, W. B. |author3=Creem-Regehr, S. H. |author4=Pick, H. L. Jr |author5=Warren, W. H. Jr. |year=2007 |journal=Experimental Brain Research |volume=181 |issue=2 |pages=221–228 |pmid= 17372727 |doi=10.1007/s00221-007-0917-0|s2cid=7032232}}{{cite journal|author1=Levine, R. V. |author2=Norenzayan, A. |year=1999 |title= The Pace of Life in 31 Countries| journal= Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology | volume=30 |issue=2 |pages= 178–205 |url= http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67419/2/10.1177_0022022199030002003.pdf |doi= 10.1177/0022022199030002003|hdl=2027.42/67419 |s2cid=5799354}} Although humans are capable of walking at speeds from nearly 0 m/s to upwards of {{convert|2.5|m/s|km/h mph|abbr=on}} and running one mile (1.6 kilometers) in anywhere between 4–15 minutes, humans typically choose to use only a small range within these speeds.{{cite book |chapter=The three modes of terrestrial locomotion |last=Minetti |first=A. E. |title=Biomechanics and Biology of Movement |pages=67–78 |editor=Benno Maurus Nigg |editor2=Brian R. MacIntosh |editor3=Joachim Mester |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7360-0331-5 |publisher=Human Kinetics}}
Compared to other land animals, humans are exceptionally capable of endurance—over very long distances, able to outrun every other species on land except certain dogs.
|-
||{{convert|40|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{cite web|last=Humble|first=Gary|title=The Uncommon Wombat|url=http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/june2006/|work=Scribbly Gum|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=1 August 2019|date=1 June 2006}}
|Land
||Wombats can maintain that speed for {{convert|150|m|ft}}.
|-
||{{convert|37|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{cite web |last1=Jared R.|first1=Towers|title=Seasonal movements and ecological markers as evidence for migration of common minke whales photo-identified in the eastern North Pacific|page=222|url=https://mersociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RS3604_13_3p221-230towers_et_al.pdf|access-date=10 April 2025}}
|Swimming
|The maximum swimming speed of minke whales has been estimated at {{convert|37|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.
|-
||{{convert|32-36|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{cite web |last1=EEN|first1=BREIWICK|title=Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)|page=13|url=https://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_blue_whale_e.pdf|access-date=7 March 2025}}
|Swimming
|Typically swims at {{convert|2|-|8|km/h|abbr=on}} but may swim faster at {{convert|32|-|36|km/h|abbr=on}} during encounters with boats, predators, or other individuals.
|-
||{{convert|30|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{cite journal|last1=Hutchinson|first1=J. R.|last2=Pringle|first2=E. V.|year=2024|title=Footfall patterns and stride parameters of Common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) on land|journal=PeerJ|volume=12|page=e17675|doi=10.7717/peerj.17675|doi-access=free |pmid=38974416 |pmc=11227274}}
|Land
|Hippos are reported to reach {{cvt|30|km/h}} but this has not been confirmed.
|-
||{{convert|25|km/h|abbr=on|sortable=on}}
{{cite journal |author1 = Hutchinson, J. R.| author2 = Schwerda, D.| author3 = Famini, D. J.| author4 = Dale, R. H.| author5 = Fischer, M. S.| author6 = Kram, R.|year=2006|title=The locomotor kinematics of Asian and African elephants: changes with speed and size|journal=Journal of Experimental Biology|volume=209|issue=19|pages=3812–3827|pmid=16985198 |doi = 10.1242/jeb.02443|doi-access=free| bibcode = 2006JExpB.209.3812H}}{{cite journal |author1=Hutchinson, J. R. |author2=Famini, D. |author3=Lair, R. |author4=Kram, R. |s2cid=4403723 |year=2003 |title=Biomechanics: Are fast-moving elephants really running? |journal=Nature |volume=422 |pages=493–494 |doi=10.1038/422493a |pmid=12673241 |issue=6931 |bibcode=2003Natur.422..493H |url=http://researchonline.rvc.ac.uk/id/eprint/124/ |access-date=3 January 2023 |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809231054/https://researchonline.rvc.ac.uk/id/eprint/124/ |url-status=live }}
|Land
|Fast-moving elephants appear to 'run' with their front legs, but 'walk' with their hind legs and can reach a top speed of {{convert|25|km/h|abbr=on}}.
|}
See also
Notes
{{notelist|30em}}