"Have you ever been running late and said to yourself, "I bet Usain Bolt doesn't have this problem?" Well, in the domain of the fastest animal in the world, Bolt is a slowpoke in comparison to some of the amazing record-holders out there."
Whether it is on land, air or sea, speed is essential for many reasons. Hunting for your next meal or escaping from a set of sharp teeth all require speed and lots of it.
Here are some of the fastest animals on planet Earth.
Fastest land mammal (on four legs)
The fastest four-legged mammal in the world is the cheetah. These magnificent cats can accelerate up to 94kph (58.4mph) in under 3 seconds thanks to their powerful leg muscles and slender bodies.
When combined with their excellent eyesight, this speed makes them a formidable force when it comes to hunting animals such as impalas and gazelles across the wide-open areas of the African savannah.
Fastest insect (on land)
At 20mm long, the Australian tiger beetle's top speed of 9kph (5.5mph) doesn't sound that quick. But when you consider that this means it travels the equivalent of 125 times its body length every second, it becomes a bit more impressive.
The tiger beetle uses its speed and lightning-fast reactions to catch and eat other insects such as flies in the blink of an eye.
Fastest insect (in flight)
The male horsefly is the fastest flying insect in the world, reaching estimated speeds of up to 145kph (90mph). The fly itself is easily distinguished by its colourful orange markings on its abdomen and is found all over the world – apart from in polar regions.
Fastest bird (in flight)
The white-throated needletail is potentially the fastest bird in horizontal flight, although this has never been officially verified. It is said to be able to reach speeds of over 170kph (105mph), which if proven would mean that is it faster than a golden eagle or gyrfalcon.
The bird itself is a type of swift, albeit bigger with a very narrow tail (hence its name). It is a migratory bird that travels over huge distances, but a rare sight in the UK and Ireland.
Fastest bird (on land)
The ostrich is the fastest bird on two legs, which can reach up to 70kph (45mph) on land. Ostriches raise their small wings to aid stability and use their long legs and powerful muscles to outrun many of their predators.
The leg muscles of an ostrich are so powerful that a kick could kill a lion, although this is rare. But their speed and power more than compensate for their lack of flying ability.
Fastest fish
The fastest swimming fish in the world is the black marlin, with an estimated top speed of 129kph (80mph).
Black marlins are prized game fish and are very hard to catch thanks to a very sharp bill and some impressive stamina. The most popular place to try and catch an example of this impressive fish is the Great Barrier Reef, although it is found in many tropical areas such as the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
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Fastest long-distance runner
The pronghorn has an amazing amount of stamina that could put marathon runnings to shame. It can maintain a speed of 64kph (40mph) for well over 30 minutes without taking a break.
It is no slouch with a top speed of 86kph (53.4mph), which is enough speed to escape most predators. This top speed also makes it the fastest land mammal in the Americas.
Fastest organism relative to body length
The mite Paratarsotomus macropalpis is the fastest creature on Earth relative to its size. It can move a seemingly leisurely 0.8kph (0.5mph). But when you consider that this equates to 322 body lengths per second for this little creature, its speed becomes truly astounding.
If humans could move at an equivalent pace, they would be running at a whopping 2,100kph (1,300mph).
Fastest lizard on land
The spiny-tail iguana is the fastest lizard on land, measured at 34.6kph (21.7mph). They can reach this speed in a short burst to escape predators.
Unlike many other animals on our list, this one has been officially measured in a laboratory test, and verified by Guinness World Records.
Fastest swimming reptile
The quickest reptile in the water is the leatherback sea turtle, achieving speeds of up to 35kph (22mph). It can thank its smooth, teardrop-shaped body for this, making it perfect for efficiently gliding through the water and helping it escape predators.
The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle species and differs from other turtles in that its skin is soft rather than having a hard shell.
Fastest diving bird
The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird on earth when in a hunting dive (known as a 'stoop'), hitting a massive 389kph (242mph) when in full flow. This top speed also makes it the fastest animal on the planet.
They can dive this fast by tucking their feet under their bodies to minimise drag and form a teardrop shape with their wings. They also have special structures inside their noses, known as tubercles, which slow down the rate of airflow through their nostrils during a dive. This allows them to breathe even at very high speed.
Fastest human
Usain Bolt is the fastest human in the world: top speed of approximately 44.2kph (27.5mph) achieved at the IAAF World Championships in 2009. He ran 100 metres in a world-record time of 9.58 seconds that day – a time yet to be beaten.
| Category | Animal | Top speed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest land mammal (on four legs) | African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) | 94kph (58.4mph) | Can accelerate up to 94kph (58.4mph) in under 3 seconds, using powerful leg muscles and excellent eyesight to hunt prey like impalas and gazelles. |
| Fastest insect (on land) | Australian tiger beetle (Cicindela hudsoni) | 9kph (5.5mph) | Travels the equivalent of 125 times its body length every second. Uses speed and fast reactions to catch and eat insects. |
| Fastest insect (in flight) | Male horsefly (Hybomitra distinguenda) | 145kph (90mph) | The fastest flying insect, found worldwide except in polar regions, easily distinguished by its colorful orange markings. |
| Fastest bird (in flight) | White-throated needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) | 170kph (105mph) | Potentially the fastest bird in horizontal flight. Migratory and rare in the UK and Ireland, it can travel at speeds that surpass other birds like golden eagles. |
| Fastest bird (on land) | Ostrich (Struthio) | 72kph (45mph) | The fastest bird on land, with powerful leg muscles and long strides, able to outrun most predators. |
| Fastest fish | Black marlin (Istiompax indica) | 129kph (80mph) | The fastest swimming fish, prized by game fishermen, with an impressive bill and stamina. Found in tropical areas like the Great Barrier Reef. |
| Fastest long-distance runner | Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) | 86kph (53.4mph) | Known for amazing stamina, it can maintain 64kph (40mph) for over 30 minutes, making it the fastest land mammal in the Americas. |
| Fastest organism relative to body length | Southern Californian mite (Paratarsotomus macropalpis) | 0.8kph (0.5mph) | Moves 322 times its body length per second, which is like a human running at 2,100kph (1,300mph). |
| Fastest lizard on land | Black spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis) | 34.6kph (21.7mph) | Officially measured in a lab by Guinness World Records, it reaches high speeds to escape predators. |
| Fastest swimming reptile | Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) | 35kph (22mph) | The fastest swimming reptile, known for its smooth, teardrop-shaped body, helping it glide efficiently through the water. |
| Fastest diving bird | Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) | 389kph (242mph) | The fastest animal on Earth during a hunting dive (stoop), using a teardrop shape to minimize drag and breathe at high speeds. |
| Fastest human | Usain Bolt | 44.2kph (27.5mph) | World record holder for the fastest human speed, achieved during the 2009 World Championships with a 100m time of 9.58 seconds. |
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