Top 19 Fastest Animal in the World

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When you think of the fastest animal in the world, you might automatically think of the cheetah. While they are extremely fast, and are in fact on this list, they are not actually the fastest animals in the world. With that in mind, check out below for the top 19 fastest animal in the world!

19. Blackbuck

Blackbucks are a type of antelope that live in Pakistan, Nepal, and India. In addition, they are one of the fastest animal in the world. In fact, at top speeds it can run at 50 mph!^[1]A Study of Reproductive Behaviour of Indian Black Buck Antilope cervicapra Linn. with Reference to Courtship, Breeding, Fawning and Colouration

18. Lion

As shown in the popular Disney movie, the Lion King, lions are the king of the jungle. They are able to maintain this position not only through their size and strength, but through their speed as well. In fact, they are one of the fastest animal in the world and can run at speeds of up to 50 mph!^[2]Wozencraft, W.C. (2005). “Panthera leo“. In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed.

17. Blue wildebeest

The blue wildebeest is a type of large antelope with a distinct muzzle and muscular body. They are generally found in eastern and southern Africa.^[3]IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008). “Connochaetes taurinus“. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 28 … Continue reading wildebeest are known for their long migration patterns. Sometimes when they are moving predator animals tend to hunt them. As such, they have developed to be one of the fastest animal in the world. In fact, they can run up to 50 mph!

16. Springbok

The Springbok is another type of medium sized antelope at around 60 to 93 pounds. They mainly live in southwestern and southern Africa.^[4]IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008). “Antidorcas marsupialis“. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 … Continue reading In addition, they are extremely fast and can run up to speeds of 55 mph!

15. Pronghorn

While the pronghorn looks like an antelope it is actually a type of even toed ungulate. Other animals in this group include camels, pigs, llamas, deer, and goats. They live in North America. In order to escape predators such as wolves, they have developed into one of the fastest animal in the world being able to run at speeds of up to 55 mph!^[5]Caton, J. D. (1876). “The American Antelope, or Prong Buck”. The American Naturalist. 10 (4): 193–205. doi:10.1086/271628. JSTOR 2448724.

14. Swordfish

The swordfish is a type of predatory, migratory fish. They are best known for their sword like bill. However, contrary to what most people believe they don’t actually use their “sword” to spear their prey. Rather, they use it to slay and injury their prey before catching them.^[6]Gardieff, S. Swordfish. Florida Museum of Natural History. Accessed 26 December 2011 In order to catch their prey, they have developed to be extremely quick. In fact, they are one of the fastest animal and fish in the sea and can reach speeds of up to 60 mph!

13. Anna’s hummingbird

The Anna’s hummingbird is a type of hummingbird that lives on the west coast of the United States.^[7]Williamson, Sheri (2001). A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 199. ISBN 0-618-02496-4. Despite their small size, they are one of the fastest animal in the world and can fly up to speeds of 61 mph!

12. Sailfish

The sailfish resemble marlins and swordfish; however, they are distinguished by their dorsal fin that looks like a sail. Similar to other billfish, they are extremely fast and can swim at speeds of up to 67.8 mph! In general they tend to live in the colder seas of the earth.^[8]Collette, B.B., McDowell, J.R. and Graves, J.E. (2006). Phylogeny of Recent billfishes (Xiphioidei). Bull. Mar. Sci. 79(3): 455-468.

11. Cheetah

The cheetah is one of the most famous large cats. They are commonly found in East, North, and Southern Africa. Some can also be found in parts of Iran.^[9]Wozencraft, W.C. (2005). “Order Carnivora”. In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. … Continue reading One of the things that distinguish them from other large cats is their extremely fast speed. In fact, they are the fastest land animals in the world and can run up to speeds of 75 mph!

10. Grey-headed albatross

The grey-headed albatross is a large sea bird. They use their fast speeds (up to 79 mph) to hunt. In fact, they will dive up to depths of 23 feet chasing prey!^[10]Brooke, Michael, Albatrosses and Petrels across the World (Bird Families of the World). Oxford University Press (2004), ISBN 978-0-19-850125-1

9. Gyrfalcon

The gyrfalcon is the largest of all of the falcon species.^[11]BirdLife International (2012). “Falco rusticolus“. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013. They live in the tundra and Arctic coasts of Asia, Europe, and North America. Similar to other falcons, they are extremely fast and can fly up to speeds of 80 mph when hunting.

8. Black marlin

The black marlin is a type of marlin that lives in subtropical and tropical waters near India and in the Pacific Ocean.^[12]BBC Worldwide (27-05-2008). Black marlin – the fastest fish on the planet.Ultimate Killers – BBC wildlife. They are one of the fastest animal in the world and can swim up to speeds of 80 mph!

7. Spur-winged goose

The spur winged goose is a type of large bird common the wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa. While they are called a goose and are related to geese, they have several features that make distinguish them as a separate species. One of their most notable features is their speed. In fact, they can fly up to speeds of 88 mph!^[13]Speed of Animals – Spur winged goose

6. Rock dove(pigeon)

The Rock dove is another name for what is most commonly known as a pigeon. They are extremely common, especially in big cities such as New York. While they seem to just be scavengers they are also very fast. In fact, in races they have been clock flying average speeds of 92.5 mph over a 400 mile race!^[14]FBI Pigeons – Pigeon Facts

5. Frigatebird

Frigatebirds are a type of seabird. They generally live in subtropical and tropical ocean environments. They are able to soar on wind currents for weeks when hunting. Their top flight speed is 95 mph.^[15]eBird – Magnificent Frigatebird

4. Eurasian hobby

The Eurasian hobby is a type of small falcon. Their habitat include open country such as Savannah, taiga, marshes, and farmland. When hunting, they can achieve speeds of 100 mph!^[16]Seago, Michael J. “Birds of Britain – Hobby, Falco subbuteo”. Retrieved 13 January 2013.

3. White-throated needletail swift

The White-throated needletail swift is a type of swift. The swift is a type of bird that closely resembles swallows. One of their most notable characteristics is that they do not like to spend a lot of time on the ground. In fact, they tend to have nests in rock crevices or trees and spend most of their time flying. When hunting, they can reach up to speeds of 105 mph!^[17]BirdLife International (2012). “Hirundapus caudacutus“. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 … Continue reading

2. Golden eagle

The Golden eagle is one of the most famous types of birds of prey. Their habitat is in the Northern Hemisphere. They use their agility, strong talons, and speed to catch their prey such as squirrels, marmots, rabbits, and hares.^[18]Watson, Jeff (2010). The Golden Eagle. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1-4081-1420-9. In fact, when hunting, they can reach speeds of up to 150 to 200 mph!

1. Peregrine falcon

The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on earth. However, they don’t actually achieve this in regular flight. Rather, they achieve their maximum speeds of up to 242 mph when in their hunting stoop.^[19]Falling with the Falcon | Flight Today | Air & Space Magazine