9 Fastest Mammals on Earth
Humans may be quick thinkers and have the most complex brains of any mammal on Earth. But running speed is a different story. At a paltry 44.7 km/h (27.8 mph), even the fastest humans get lapped by speedier members of the class.
Here are the nine fastest mammals on Earth:
9. Blackbuck
Top Speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
Blackbucks are native to India and Nepal. Their high speeds evolved to escape their historical arch-nemesis: the Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), which is now extinct in the Blackbuck’s range.
Antilope cervicapra | IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
8. Black Wildebeest
Top Speed: 80.5 km/h (50.0 mph)
Native to the open plains of Southern Africa, the Black Wildebeest can sustain speeds above 50 km/h (31 mph) for extended periods to outrun predators like lions, hyenas, and wild dogs.
Connochaetes gnou | IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
7. Domestic Horse
Top Speed: 88 km/h (55 mph)
The domestic horse evolved its high-speed abilities 4-5 million years ago on the North American Great Plains to outrun prehistoric predators like the Scimitar-Toothed Cat (Homotherium spp.) and the Saber-Toothed Cat (Smilodon spp.). It later traversed the Bering Land Bridge into Eurasia, where it was domesticated for milk around 3500 BCE and for mobility around 2200 BCE.
Equus ferus caballus | IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
6. Springbok
Top Speed: 88 km/h (55 mph)
The springbok is a national symbol of South Africa. In addition to its impressive speed, it possesses elite athleticism and maneuverability - allowing it to escape the fearsome African Cheetah.
Antidorcas marsupialis | IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
5. Tsessebe
Top Speed: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Native to Southern Africa, the Tsessebe is the marathoner of the open plains. They can maintain speeds above 55 km/h (35 mph) for up to 5 km (3 mi), outlasting any predator that might challenge them.
Damaliscus lunatus lunatus | IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
4. Thomson’s Gazelle
Top Speed: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Thomson’s Gazelle is the primary prey of the African cheetah. It is too small to fight back against such a ferocious predator. As such, speed is its only weapon, and the two species co-evolved in a sprinting ability “arms race.”
Eudorcas thomsonii | IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
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