The fastest animals on earth, in water and in the air

Probably, even first-graders have heard that the fastest animal in the world is the cheetah. True, with a small correction — only on land. If in the general ranking we take into account predatory animals in water and air, then the cheetah would not even be in the top ten... That is why today in this selection we will consider super-speed animals from all classes, first of all taking into account their size and habitat.

13 PHOTOS

1. Zayats-rusak

This rabbit is not just a cute fluffy, which is bought for breeding or as a decorative pet. The wild hare has a rather modest build and can reach speeds of up to 75-80 km/h. Russians live mainly in Europe, Western Asia, and Minor Asia, as well as in North Africa.

2. Pronghorn antelope

An elegant animal with long legs, able to develop a speed of up to 96 km/hour and overtake most of the existing terrestrial predators. Comparing a pronghorn with a cheetah, it is difficult to give preference to one of them. After all, a pronghorn would not be able to overtake a cheetah at a short distance, but it would easily break away from it at a longer distance thanks to its extraordinary endurance.

3. Cheetah

It is deservedly considered the fastest animal on land. For a short time, these animals are able to develop a speed of up to 112 km/hour, and, having gained speed, they are able to maintain it for some time within the limits of 98 km/hour. И всё же ето на семья км/х больше, чем антелопе. However, it is important to understand that a cheetah is a sprinter, not a long-distance runner. This graceful animal skillfully combines agility with speed during deadly attacks.

4. A hyena dog

Real tactical hunters moving in a pack. They work exclusively in a team. For example, they block and pursue prey. Thanks to their lightweight, they can reach a fairly high speed of 70 km/hour.

5. The fastest fish
Рыба-меч

Large predators live in the underwater world. The swordfish can reach speeds of up to 130 km/hour! Some studies have found that the swordfish owes its speed to the tonsil located in the upper jaw which releases oil. Spreading around the fish's head, the oil reduces friction in the water and increases speed.

6. Sailfish

In fact, almost all fish from this list swim at plus or minus the same speed, however, the sailfish is often called the second fastest fish on earth. It can accelerate up to 109 km/hour. True, it is worth noting that such speed sailfish develop only in case of danger when it is necessary to immediately swim away from the hunter or scare him. The rest of the time, the sailfish prefers not to hurry...

7. Black marlin

BBC researchers claim that this fish swims faster than other marine inhabitants and can reach a record speed of 131.4 km/hour! It is worth noting that this speed was measured from the unwinding reel when the black marlin pecked the hook. Externally, this large fish is very similar to a swordfish, so it is very easy to confuse them. But one way or another, the black marlin can be called the fastest fish in the ocean.

8. The fastest birds
Sapsan

This predator deserves the palm of the championship among all speed birds. The peregrine falcon is capable of reaching a speed of up to 321 km/hour, and when diving for prey, it is even capable of flying at a speed of 390 km/hour! When the prey is already caught, the speed of movement of peregrine falcons is naturally significantly different, although this will not save their prey. You can see these beautiful and unusual birds on all continents except Antarctica.

9. Needle-tailed swift

A direct competitor to the peregrine falcon. Its speed without diving reaches 170 km/h, which makes it the fastest flying animal. This bird lives in Asia and Australia, occasionally flying to Europe.

10. Frigate

Incredibly beautiful birds with lush, bright red breasts are able to develop a speed of up to 152 km per hour! These birds are direct relatives of pelicans and cormorants, but their wingspan is much wider, which allows them to stay in the air for quite a long time. Sometimes frigates do not land for more than a week, and they fly mainly over the tropics and subtropics.

11. The fastest insects
Dragonfly

The dragonfly is rightfully recognized as the fastest-flying insect. You will surely be surprised by the fact that bees fly at a speed of up to 65 km/hour. That's it. dragonfly is capable of developing speeds up to 97 km/hour! They accelerate to such sizes during the hunt, instantly calculating the flight trajectory of the victim and intercepting the prey right on the fly. Few of them are inferior to the blind and brazhniki.

12. American cockroach

As for land, it is the American cockroach that moves faster than other insects. His running speed is 5.4 km/hour. By the way, the average person walks at this speed, and for the size of a cockroach, this is an absolute record.

13. Tick

But if you take the fastest animal in relation to the length of its own body, then no one will chase after a tick of the species Paratarsotomus macropalpis. In a second, it covers a distance of 320 times its own size — it's the same as how people would accelerate to 2090 km/h.

Keywords: Fastest animals | Wild animals | Animal photography | Nature | Earth | Animals list