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Usain Bolt might be the world's fastest human but animals big and small would handily beat him
August 3, 2012 | 7
The fastest animals on the planet use gravity—and exquisite aerodynamics—to reach their top speeds. The peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) has been recorded by radar diving at 185 kph (115 mph), and other tracking methods suggest that the birds can reach even higher speeds....[More]
The aptly named spine-tailed swift (or white-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus ) has the fastest-recorded speed while flapping (rather than diving, like the falcon), flying along at 170 kph (106 mph)....[More]
Speeding through the seas, sailfish ( Istiophorus albicans and I. platypterus ) have been recorded swimming as fast as 108 kph (67 mph). Their long bills improve fluid dynamics, and they can propel themselves out of the water in soaring jumps....[More]
This super-fast big cat can reach sprint speeds of 104 kph (65 mph). The cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus ) is the quickest land animal on record....[More]
These graceful ruminants have been recorded darting as fast as 93 kph (58 mph). Entire herds of pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) can sustain speeds of 64 kph (40 mph) for at least half an hour, which would be long enough to tucker out any high-speed, sprinting predator ....[More]
Another reason to not cross a lioness? She can run at least 80 kph (50 mph). Lions ( Panthera leo ), like tigers (but not bears—oh my!), tire quickly and can only hold their peak pace for less than a kilometer, due to their small heart size and difficulty breathing out of sync with their strides. ...[More]
We might congratulate ourselves for our speed every four years at the summer Olympics. But even the fastest recorded sprinter , Usain Bolt, has maxed out at 37.6 kph (23.4 mph)....[More]
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7 Comments
Add CommentYou write that the peregrine falcon can dive at a speed up to 185 kph (115 mph) - in fact the falcon has been blitzed diving in excess of 300 kph (186 mph)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn August 2009, in Berlin, Usain Bolt ran 100m in 9.58 seconds, starting from rest. His AVERAGE speed calculates to 37.6 kilometers per hour, but his MAXIMUM speed has to be something greater than his average speed.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAmong humans, East African blacks run faster than other races.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn the name of God
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisyes that's right i have read it once in Encyclopedia
And something i forgot to say:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis speed is just for the usual flying , once i have heard that when that bride (first one)falls or dives his speed goes until 300
In the 2012 London Olympics 400 meter relay, the winning Jamaican team averaged a speed of over 39 kilometers per hour. The second place US team averaged over 38.8 kph, equal to the previous world record set by Jamaica at the 2011 world championships.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe cheetah is the fastest land animal, achieving a top speed of about 70 mph. This incredible speed comes with a price, though -- a cheetah is a rather puny large cat. It's small and lightweight, usually less than 3 feet (1 meter) tall and about 4 feet (1.2 meters) long [source: Defenders of Wildlife].More than half of that length is the tail, which is crucial to maintaining control during a 70 mph chase. Cheetahs have adapted claws that are Liek cleats which help it get an extra boost. Cheetah's are literally built for speed. From their spine, which acts as a spring propelling the legs forward, to their large nostrils, allowing for easy breathing and air intake, nothing on a cheetah slows it down. Using Bolt has a lot of competition.
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