Life in the wild can sometimes prove to be so hostile and competitive, everyone has an enemy. One minute you're having dinner, the next minute you're someone else's dinner. One minute you own and control a territory, the next minute your territory is invaded and taken from you. Animals however possesses certain features for their immediate survival, both on the fields or deep in the oceans. One of these features is speed.
Speed is one of the most crucial feature an organism needs in other to survive anywhere in the wild. The structural features of some animals can thus make them drift at super speed, overtaking other animals in a deadly race. Animals do showcase their maximum speed when in mode of; attacking their preys, escaping from predators, powerful rivals, or avoiding other hazardous situations (like a fire outbreak) or just partaking in a race.
Below is a countdown list of the top 10 fastest animals, both on land, on air, or in the waters.
10. Blue wildebeest (50mph)
The blue wildebeest, the Thompson's gazelle, and the brown hare can all run at a top speed of about 80.5kph. Both animals do rely on high speed endurance running when evading predators.
Their top predator which is the lion can also sprint at the same speed, and it can be so exhausting for them. This therefore make lions to be close to their prey before commencing an attack.
9. Springbox (55mph)
The springbox is a medium-sized antelope specie found mostly in the southern and southwestern region of Africa, and can run at a top speed of 88kph. Another animal that can run at this speed, but at short distance is the Quater horse.
The Quater horse is an American breed of horse that are known with the ability to outrun other breed of horse over short distance races - about a quarter mile.
8. Pronghorn (60mph)
The pronghorn antelope is the second fastest land animal on Earth, being able to run at a top speed of
98kph. The cheetah may be thus faster than the pronghorn when it comes to sprinting speed, but the pronghorn antelope can definitely outrun the cheetah, speaking of long-distance running.
7. Marlin (68mph)
The marlin is arguably the second fastest creature in the ocean. They swim at an average speed of 80kph, but there are extremely rare cases in which the malin fish is said to reach a swimming speed of 68mph/110kph.
6. Sail fish (70mph)
The sail fish is also arguably the fastest creature in the ocean, being able to dive at a record speed of around 113kph.
Notable characteristics of sailfish are an erectile dorsal fin known as a sail and the elongated bill. It feeds on school fish such as sardines, anchovies and mackerel.”
some people believe a black marlin may be faster; most sources agree the sail fish is the fastest.
5. Cheetah (80mph)
The cheetah is the fastest running animal on four legs. With it swift and elongated body, a cheetah is known with the ability to overtake even the fastest of preys, being able to sprint at a super speed of about 120 - 130kph and accelerating from 0-100m/s in just 3secs. It's also capable of changing it directions very quickly, making it a very skilled hunter. But the cheetah can only sustain this record speed in a very short distance(about few miles). Hence, after the high speed run, a cheetah needs to take up to 15-20min to breathe, unless it'll die.
4. Spur-Winged Goose(88mph)
The Spur-Winged Goose is the largest specie of Goose and probably the largest waterfowl in the world. They're mostly found in the sub-saharan Africa occupying the wetlands. These massive long-necked, bird is estimated to hit a speed of 142kph on air.
3. Frigate bird (95mph)
The frigate bird comes third on our list with an incredible speed of up to 153kph. The frigate bird is also known for it extremely long slender wings, spanning to about 2.3 metres (nearly 8 feet), and also staying for up to a week aloft.
2.White-Throated Needletail (106mph)
The white-throated needletail, otherwise known as needle-tailed swift or spine-tailed swift, acquires the second place on our list. It capable of reaching a record speed of 171kph.
The peregrine falcon is considered as the fastest Animal in the world. This bird is particularly swift, capable of reaching speeds of up to 322kph while at a dive, making it a fearsome hunter. Before diving, a peregrine falcon will fly to an altitude of over 3,500 feet and then bring its wings close to its body. During its descent, as its speed increases, one wing tends to be pushed forward, with its head tucked into that side, while the other wing is pulled back. The tail and feet will be folded or tucked in, making the bird's body more aerodynamic and minimizing air resistance
0 comments:
Post a Comment