Top 10 Fastest Animals in The World (Land, Air, & Water)

Last Updated : 08 Feb, 2024

Fastest Animals on Earth: Humans are one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet, and over time, they have evolved significantly and become more efficient. However, despite the fact that humans are more productive, they are not as quick as animals. There are thousands of creatures on this planet that are faster than humans. A human can run a maximum of 27.5 miles per hour; however, some animals can run twice as fast as humans.

Top 10 Fastest Animals in the World

Here is the list of the top 10 fastest animals in the world: land, air, and water:

10. Brown Hare

Brown Hare

Common Name: Brown Hare
Scientific Name: Lepus europaeus
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Habitat: Open fields, grasslands, and woodlands
Speed: Up to 45 mph (72 km/h)
Diet: Grasses, herbs, and cereal crops
Distinctive Features: Long, black-tipped ears, powerful hind legs, reddish-brown fur with black-tipped tail
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population Declining)

The brown hare or also known as the European hare due to its presence in most parts of Europe and Asia is one of the fastest herbivorous animals on the earth. Despite its small size, it can easily hit a speed of 48 miles per hour. An adult brown hare can be a maximum of 75 cm long and weighs around 2.4-3 kg. The majority of this species is found in Europe, Central Asia, and some parts of Siberia.

9. Blue Wildebeest

Blue Wildebeest

Common Name: Blue Wildebeest
Scientific Name: Connochaetes taurinus
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Habitat: Open grasslands, savannas, and plains
Speed: Up to 50 mph (80 km/h)
Diet: Grasses, herbs, and leaves
Distinctive Features: Broad, muscular build, horns in both males and females, silvery-blue fur with black stripes on the legs, beard, and mane
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population Stable)

This blue wildebeest is a wide-shouldered antelope belonging to the family of Bovidae. It is the second fastest antelope on the earth and can run at a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour. An adult male blue wildebeest can be 170-240 cm in head-to-body length and can weigh around 165- 290 kg. The majority of blue wildebeest is found in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

8. Marlin

Marlin

Common Name: Marlin
Scientific Name: Makaira spp.
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Beloniformes
Family: Istiophoridae
Habitat: Open oceans, tropical and subtropical waters
Speed: Up to 50 mph (80 km/h)
Diet: Fish, squid, and crustaceans
Distinctive Features: Long, slender body, sharp, pointed bill, sail-like dorsal fin, iridescent blue-green coloration
Conservation Status: Varies depending on the species (some are Least Concern, others are Vulnerable)

Marlins are considered to be the second-fastest marine swimmers that can swim at a speed of 50 miles per hour. The unique elongated body shape and long spear-like bill differentiate it from other fishes of the Istiophoridae family. An adult marlin can be as long as 5 meters and around 800 kg in weight. The marlin fish is mainly found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans.

7. Pronghorn Antelope

Pronghorn Antelope

Common Name: Pronghorn Antelope
Scientific Name: Antilocapra americana
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Antilocapridae
Habitat: Open grasslands, prairies, and deserts
Speed: Up to 60 mph (98 km/h)
Diet: Grasses, herbs, and shrubs
Distinctive Features: Forked horns (males only), white patches on the face, throat, rump, and sides, reddish-brown fur with black-tipped tail
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Population Stable)

A pronghorn looks very similar to a deer and as the name suggests, it has two large horns. The Pronghorn antelope is a native North-American species, and also the second fastest land animal on this planet. An adult Pronghorn can be 1.3-1.5 meters long, weigh around 40-65 kg, and can reach a top speed of 60 miles per hour in seconds. The large windpipe and big lungs of Pronghorn, help it control its breathing even at such high speeds.

6. Sailfish

Sailfish

Common Name: Sailfish
Scientific Name: Istiophorus spp.
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Beloniformes
Family: Istiophoridae
Habitat: Warm and temperate oceans worldwide
Speed: Up to 68 mph (110 km/h)
Diet: Fish, squid, and crustaceans
Distinctive Features: Elongated body, long, pointed bill, sail-like dorsal fin, iridescent blue-green coloration
Conservation Status: Varies depending on the species (some are Least Concern, others are Vulnerable)

The selfish is one of the two species of salt-water fishes, belonging to the family of the Istiophoridae, blue or grey in color. It is one of the fastest aquatic creatures on the earth, that can go up to a top speed of 68 miles per hour. An adult sailfish can be 1.2-1.5 meters long and can easily weigh around 100 pounds. Tropical regions such as the Indian Ocean and the temperate waters of the Pacific are the main habitat for this fish.

5. Cheetah

Cheetah

Common Name: Cheetah
Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Habitat: Open grasslands, savannas, and woodlands
Speed: Up to 75 mph (120 km/h)
Diet: Small to medium-sized mammals, such as gazelles, impalas, and springboks
Distinctive Features: Slender, lightweight body, long, flexible spine, semi-retractable claws, black tear-like facial streaks, and spotted coat
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (Population Declining)

This wild cat native to Africa is the faster land animal on earth, that can easily reach up to a speed of 50-80 miles per hour. The highest speed ever recorded by a cheetah is 58-61 miles per hour. The unique body shape of the cheetah, including its thin land long legs, flexible spine, lightweight, and long tail, helps it attain such speeds. Cheetah is recognized as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, and some surveys suggest that there are less than 8000 cheetahs alive to date.

4. Spur-Winged Goose

Spur-Winged Goose

Common Name: Spur-winged Goose
Scientific Name: Plectropterus gambensis
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Habitat: Open savannas, grasslands, and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa
Speed: Up to 88 mph (142 km/h)
Diet: Grasses, herbs, and aquatic plants
Distinctive Features: Large size, black plumage with white face and wing markings, bony spur on the wing bend
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Populations generally stable)

Spur-winged goose is one of the largest birds in the family of Anatidae, it’s pretty similar to geese, and shelducks but has many identical characteristics as well. The Spur-winged goose is mainly found in the wetlands of Sub-Saharan Africa. An adult Spur-winged goose can weigh around 4-7 kg and 75-110 cm long, with a wingspan of 150-200 cm. Under normal atmospheric conditions, it can accelerate up to a speed of 88 miles per hour.

3. Frigate Bird

Frigate Bird

Common Name: Frigatebird
Scientific Name: Fregata spp. (Fregata minor, Fregata ariel, Fregata magnificens)
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Fregatidae
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide
Speed: Up to 153 km/h (95 mph) in powered flight, and faster in glides
Diet: Fish, squid, and occasionally other seabirds’ prey
Distinctive Features: Large, black body with red, inflatable throat pouch (males only), long, forked tail, powerful wings, and skillful gliding ability
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Populations generally stable)

Frigate birds are one of the fastest among the family of seabirds, mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Due to their extraordinary body shape, they are very easily noticeable the female frigate birds have underbellies while the male one has a red gular pouch. The wings of this bird are very large and can span up to 2.3 meters, providing it with more lift and helping it attain a speed of 95 miles per hour.

2. Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

Common Name: Golden Eagle
Scientific Name: Aquila chrysaetos
Class: Aves
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Habitat: Open mountains, forests, and grasslands worldwide
Speed: Up to 120 mph (193 km/h) in dives
Diet: Small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish
Distinctive Features: Large size, golden-brown plumage, powerful wings, and sharp talons
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Populations generally stable)

The golden eagle belongs to the family of Accipitridae, just like other species of eagle, but this eagle from the other hemisphere is the fastest among them all and also the second fastest bird in the world. It’s one of the best birds of prey, that can fly at a maximum speed of 199 miles per hour. Even though the habitat of this bird is widespread it is mainly found in the North American and the North-African region.

1. Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Common Name: Peregrine Falcon
Scientific Name: Falco peregrinus
Class: Aves
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Habitat: Open areas worldwide, including mountains, coasts, and cities
Speed: Up to 242 mph (390 km/h) in dives
Diet: Medium-sized birds
Distinctive Features: Sleek, powerful body, blue-gray feathers with black markings, and sharp talons
Conservation Status: Least Concern (Populations generally stable)

The peregrine falcon or commonly referred to as the peregrine or duck hawk in the North-American region is the fastest bird on the earth and also the fastest in the entire animal kingdom. This large crow-sized bird of prey belongs to the family of falcons and can fly at a speed of 200 miles per hour. The peregrine falcon is found in almost all continents except Antarctica, but mainly it’s found in Australia. Some researchers also show that a full-sized Peregrine falcon can even accelerate up to 242 miles per hour.

The peregrine falcon is a true marvel of the animal kingdom, combining unparalleled speed, agility, and hunting prowess with a remarkable adaptability to diverse environments. Their presence in the world’s landscapes serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring power and resilience of nature. By understanding and protecting these remarkable creatures, we can ensure their continued reign as the masters of the skies.