World Travel Almanac

Rob and Clare's Travelers Almanac

Travel Photograph Collection
photo collection

fast lionTop 10 List:

The world's fastest animals

[more Top-10 Lists]

The following maximum speed measurements are recorded over approximately quarter-mile distances. Exceptions are the lion, which was clocked in the act of charging, and the cheetah, which was measured over a 100-yard distance.

 

Animal

speed (mph)

speed (km/hr)

notes

1.

Peregrine falcon

200.00+

322

This is the fastest animal when in its hunting dive, the stoop, in which it soars to a great height, then dives steeply at high speeds. See also the fastest birds list.

2.

Cheetah

70.00

 

 

3.

Pronghorn antelope

61.00

 

 

4.

Lion

50.00

 

 

5.

Thomson's gazelle

50.00

 

 

6.

Wildebeest

50.00

 

 

7.

Quarter horse

47.50

 

 

8.

Cape hunting dog

45.00

 

 

9.

Elk

45.00

 

 

10.

Coyote

43.00

 

 

Sources

  • Natural History Magazine, March 1974,
  • The American Museum of Natural History
  • James G. Doherty, general curator, The Wildlife Conservation Society.

Other fastest animal lists include: