In the world of animals, speed defines everything. You need to run faster than your predator to survive. Here we take a look at some of the fastest animals in the wild.
BLACK MARLIN – THE FASTEST FISH
It is estimated that the black marlin can go to a top speed of up to 80 miles per hour. It is also one of the top predators of the seas and uses its speed for hunting and evasion. They are seen to inhabit the shallow waters, close to shores, and are seen in the Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
CHEETAH-FASTEST LAND ANIMAL –
This cat can sprint faster than 70 miles per hour. A cheetah can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than three seconds! However, this mammal can maintain this speed only for short distances. Cheetahs live in the wild in scattered parts of central, eastern, and southern Africa. A small number of wild cheetahs live in Iran. India was once home to a thriving cheetah population which went extinct duelto hunting and habitat loss, Recently efforts were taken to reintroduce the cheetah to India with eight cheetahs being brought in from Namibia in southern Africa. The ambitious cheetah reintroduction project is being carried out in the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
PRONGHORN-FASTEST LAND ANIMAL (LONG DISTANCES)
The cheetah may be the fastest sprinter but the pronghom is the fastest “long-distance runner as it can maintain a speed of nearly 35 miles per hour over long distances. Also called American antelope, the pronghom is distinct in being the only animal that has branching horns that it sheds annually. It lives in open plains and semi-deserts. It has remarkable vision and can identify predators at distances of up to 0.6 miles.
PEREGRINE FALCON –
The fastest flying animal A bird of prey, the fastest bird is the Peregrine falcon. It is seen on every continent except Antarctica. It is known for its diving speed during flight. It can attempt a mid-air dive at speeds of even 200 miles an hour. This is also how they hunt, by flying high and diving at their prey.
HORSE FLY-FASTEST INSECT
Large and agile, these flies can attain a speed of 90 miles per hour. It is considered the fastest insect in the animal kingdom. They can be as tiny as a housefly or as large as a bumble bee. Considered pests to both humans and animals, they are usually found around streams, marshes, and wooded areas. They are carriers of various diseases.
Picture Credit : Google
