Animal speed is an amazing natural phenomenon that is closely related to the animal's survival, reproduction, predation and avoidance. On Earth, different animals exhibit amazing speed capabilities in different environments, some even surpassing human vehicles. This article will introduce the four fastest animals, they are the cheetah on land, the swooping peregrine falcon, the Brazilian free-tailed bat in horizontal flight, and the marlin in the ocean, and the biology behind their speed.
1. Cheetah: The fastest animal on land
The cheetah is a big cat found mainly in the steppe and semi-desert regions of Africa and Asia. It feeds on a variety of small and medium-sized ungulates such as antelopes, zebras, hares, etc. The cheetah is the fastest animal on land, reaching speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, equivalent to a car on a highway. The cheetah is capable of bursting with amazing acceleration in a short period of time, from standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3 seconds. However, the cheetah also has its own limitations, it cannot maintain high-speed running for a long time, generally only lasting about 400 meters, otherwise it will suffer from heat stroke due to hyperthermia.
The reason why cheetahs can run so fast is mainly due to its special body structure and movement method. Cheetahs have slender bodies, slender limbs, small skulls and conical chests, all of which help reduce air resistance and increase flexibility. Cheetahs also have strong cardiopulmonary function and blood circulation system, which can provide sufficient oxygen and energy. In addition, cheetahs have special claws and tails, which can help cheetahs adjust their direction and balance during running. When the cheetah runs, it adopts a jump-like method, only one hind foot lands on the ground at a time, and the span between the front and rear feet can reach more than 6 meters. This allows the cheetah to get maximum thrust and elasticity at every step.
2. Peregrine Falcon: The fastest swooping bird
The peregrine falcon is a species of bird belonging to the genus Falcons of the family Falconidae that is widely distributed on all continents of the globe except Antarctica. It feeds on a variety of small birds such as sparrows, pigeons, swifts, etc. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird in the air, and it can reach speeds of up to 389 km/h when descending in flight (also known as dive or dive), which is equivalent to a jet in high altitude flight. Peregrine falcons tighten their bodies into a streamlined shape when diving and tuck their wings to their sides to reduce air resistance and increase gravitational acceleration. The Peregrine Falcon locks onto its target when diving, and at the last moment spreads its wings and claws, hitting its prey with a huge impact, knocking it down or directly killing it.
The peregrine falcon is able to fly so fast mainly because of its strong muscles, bones and feathers, as well as its highly developed visual and nervous system. Peregrine falcons have strong pectoral muscles and wings that provide great thrust and lift. The bones of peregrine falcons are light and strong, and they are able to withstand the enormous pressures of high-speed flight. The feathers of the peregrine falcon are compact and smooth, which reduces friction and noise and maintains body temperature. The peregrine falcon's eyes are very sharp, able to clearly see distant prey in high-speed flight, and protect the eyeball from wind and sand and debris with a special eye mask. The Peregrine Falcon's nervous system is also very sensitive and able to respond and adjust in a very short time.
3. Brazilian free-tailed bat: the fastest animal flying horizontally
The Brazilian free-tailed bat is a genus of free-tailed bats belonging to the family Liberty-tailed bats, mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It uses insects as its main food, such as moths, beetles, mosquitoes, etc. The Brazilian free-tailed bat is the fastest animal in horizontal flight, reaching speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, the equivalent of a motorcycle on a highway. The Brazilian free-tailed bat uses airflow and terrain to select the optimal altitude and direction when flying to save energy and improve efficiency. Brazilian free-tailed bats emit ultrasonic waves when preying and locate the position and trajectory of their prey based on echoes.
The Brazilian free-tailed bat is able to fly so fast mainly thanks to its special wings and tail, as well as its efficient respiratory and metabolic system. The Brazilian free-tailed bat has long, narrow wings, which are good for flight speed and stability, but reduce maneuverability and lift. The Brazilian free-tailed bat also has a long, flexible tail that can help adjust posture and direction, as well as catch insects in the air. Brazilian free-tailed bats also have efficient respiratory and metabolic systems, providing enough oxygen and energy at high speeds, and removing excess heat and waste.
4. Marlin: The fastest animal in the ocean
Marlin is a species of fish belonging to the genus Marlin in the mackerel family Marlinidae, mainly distributed in the warm waters of the global oceans. It feeds on a variety of small fish, crustaceans, squid, etc. as its main food. The marlin is the fastest animal in the ocean, swimming at speeds of up to 130 km/h, the equivalent of a bicycle on a highway. Marlin uses the swing of its body and the flapping of its tail fin when swimming, creating a strong thrust and lift. The marlin chases its prey while preying and pierces or tears its prey with its sharp mouth and teeth.
The marlin is able to swim so fast mainly thanks to its streamlined body and special skin, scales and muscles, as well as its highly adapted cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Marlin has a long, thin body that reduces flow resistance and increases flexibility. The skin of marlin is smooth and elastic, able to protect the body from damage and regulate body temperature. The scales of marlin are small and dense, which reduces friction and turbulence, and forms a fine layer of bubbles that further reduce drag. The muscles of marlin are divided into red muscles, which are located inside the body and responsible for long-term low-speed swimming, and white muscles, located outside the body, responsible for short high-speed swimming. Marlin also has a highly adaptive cardiovascular and respiratory system, which provides sufficient oxygen and energy during high-speed swimming and removes excess heat and waste.
These are the four fastest animals introduced in this article, they are cheetahs on land, peregrine falcons in the air, Brazilian free-tailed bats in horizontal flight, and marlin in the ocean. They all exhibit amazing speed capabilities, as well as the biological characteristics and mechanisms that match them. They also face their own challenges and limitations, such as energy consumption, thermoregulation, air or water flow resistance, etc. They are outstanding examples of the balance and optimization between speed and survival in nature.
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