Page 35 - World of Animals - Issue #36

Animal Olympians

Fastest

The fastest thing on four legs, the mighty cheetah can
reach burst speeds of an incredible 120kph (74.6mph)
It’s well known that these lithe, spotted heart, nostrils and lungs are enlarged to
big cats of the Sub-Saharan grasslands ensure maximum oxygen delivery at top
can launch into incredible bursts of speeds. The tail (which can be half the
speed to catch prey. The cheetah is able cheetah’s total length) works as both a
to accelerate at 10 metres per second, rudder and a counterbalance to keep
and can reach 64 kilometres per hour the cat grounded and allowing for prey
in just three powerful strides. Feeding securing, high-speed zigzag manoeuvres.
primarily on hoofed animals like gazelles, The bust of motion takes its toll on the
the cheetah needs to be quick enough to animal however, and the cheetah can

chase and catch these flighty animals. only run at top speed for around 500
The big cat’s body is super light, lean metres (1,640 feet). It then needs to rest.

and streamlined with a very flexible This often means that cheetahs can lose
spine, allowing it to curve expertly to their kills to larger animals, as they aren’t
complement the long stride. The cheetah’s equipped for fighting off other predators.

Bolt is the
first person to hold

world records for both
the 100m and 200m
sprints since automatic
time measurements
became mandatory
in 1977.
Top speed

Top sprinters 44.64kph (27.7mph)

Check out these other lightning-fast animals, capable of reaching incredible speeds 120kph (74.6mph)

Peregrine falcon Gazelle Ostrich
Although technically not a ‘sprinter’, this is the The gazelle’s amazing speed is one of the The fastest birds on land, the ostrich can sprint
fastest animal in the world. During its hunting reasons why cheetahs need to run fast – to catch at 70kph (43.5mph). Their long legs can cover
stoop, the falcon drops through the sky onto its up with them! These nimble animals can top bust strides of three to five metres (9.8-16.4ft), which

prey, reaching speeds over 320kph (198.8mph). speeds of 64kph (39.8 mph) and above. compensates for their inability to fly.
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