In order from slowest to fastest, these are the 5 fastest land animals:
How fast? 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour)
Thompson’s Gazelles are native to eastern Africa and live in the open plains and grassland where their food is plentiful. Named for the explorer Joseph Thompson who discovered them, the “Tommie” is one of the best-known species of gazelle.
Relatively small, they average 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 35 to 55 pounds full grown. Gazelle live to be 10 to 15 years old in the wild and travel in herds. Gazelles are hunted by lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and humans. Unfortunately, the gazelle population is decreasing as humans move into their grasslands to farm and create settlements and roads. It is estimated that there are around 550,000 in the wild today.
How fast? 55 miles per hour (88.5 kilometers per hour)
The Quarter Horse is an American breed known for its speed over short sprints. These horses are characterized by their compact bodies that give them agility and speed. They are used for racing as well as ranch work and rodeos. Originally bred from English Thoroughbreds, the American Quarter Horse breed eventually merged in American native species such as the Chickasaw horse.
Quarter Horses typically stand between 56 and 64 inches at the shoulder (142-163 cm) and weigh over 1,200 pounds (540 kg). They are divided into racing and hunter types, depending on their bodies and their ultimate purpose. The racing types have longer legs and leaner bodies than the hunter types, for example.
How fast? 56 miles per hour (90 kilometers per hour)
Maybe you have never heard of the agile, leaping Springbok, but it comes in number three on our list of the world’s fastest land animals. Also a native of the African plains, the Springbok is typically found in the southwestern part of the continent. Once found in herds, their numbers have been reduced to 670,000 it has been recently estimated.
A species of Antelope, the Springbok has long legs and a slim neck and typically reaches 28 to 34 inches at the shoulder (71-86 cm) and weighs a lean 60 to 93 pounds (27 -42 kg) in adulthood. The Springbok eats grass and small shrubs. They need little water and have no problem surviving during the dry season on what moisture is found in their food.
How fast? 61 miles per hour (98 kilometers per hour)
Another species of Antelope, the Pronghorn variety is native to western and central North America. Herds of pronghorn antelope graze on grasses and other vegetation like shrubs and cacti. The eyes of the pronghorn antelope can see 320 degrees around, which is useful for watching for predators. Unfortunately, for all their speed, pronghorn antelope are terrible jumpers and will try to go under fences rather than jump over them.
Pronghorn antelope measure an average 42 inches (107 cm) high at the shoulder and weigh from 75 to 140 pounds. They have white stripes on their necks and black horns, which shed the outer layer every year. Predators include bobcats and coyotes.
How fast? 70 miles per hour (113 kilometers per hour)
Of course, you guessed it! The Cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal, clocking in at 70 miles per hour. Native to the continent of African and also found in Iran, the species is unfortunately listed as vulnerable because of habitat loss, illegal hunting, trading and humans moving into their native lands. Cheetahs are generally 28 to 35 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 46 to 159 pounds. They have sleek bodies and beautiful coats that range from tan to white and covered in distinctive black spots.
Cheetahs tend to live in dry habitats such as forests and savannahs. They are carnivores and hunt gazelle, impala, springboks and Thompson’s gazelles, two of which are on our list of fastest animals. Since the cheetah is a bit faster, guess who often wins the race? Cheetahs are known for their ability to stalk their prey and achieve short bursts of speed to catch whatever it is they are stalking.
