Although humans have shown considerable endurance in nature, there are some animals that theoretically have a limit of endurance that far exceeds that of humans. Which animal do you think has the best stamina? Below I have compiled 10 animals with the strongest stamina in the world, including swifts, hummingbirds, pronghorns, sled dogs, horses, ostriches, camels, and more. Let's take a look at the stamina performance of these animals.
1. Swift (10 months in a row)
Without a doubt, swifts are considered to be one of the most endurance animals. This bird is able to stay in the air continuously and only land when necessary, such as laying eggs or getting bored. What makes them impressive is that they fly fast and like to hover and fly in the air non-stop, barely hitting the ground or vegetation. During the flight, swifts can complete activities such as eating, drinking, bathing, and even mating. These birds are capable of flying continuously for up to 10 months and over a distance of up to 500,000 kilometers. It is worth mentioning that they are able to sleep during flight, as only half of the swift's brain will be asleep, while the other half will always be awake. Overall, swifts are considered to be one of the animals with the strongest speed and stamina.
2. Hummingbird (highest metabolic rate among vertebrates)
In animal endurance, hummingbirds are also a standout. They are known for their fluttering wings and are among the fastest in the world, averaging 50 times per second, and some species of hummingbirds can even flap their wings up to 200 times per second. Hummingbirds' wings are extremely flexible and can propel their bodies forward when flapping their wings upwards and downwards, which is a significant difference from other birds. They are the only birds that can hover and fly upside down continuously, thanks to their unique metabolic adaptation system to meet energy requirements. Hovering flight is one of the most energy-intensive forms of exercise, but hummingbirds have the highest metabolic rate of any vertebrate, which allows them to achieve this amazing flight ability.
3. Pronghorn (the animal that is best at endurance running)
Ungulates are among the strongest in terms of long-distance endurance, with the pronghorn showing particularly impressive endurance. The speed of these animals is close to that of cheetahs, but they excel at long runs, known for their high-speed endurance runs, which can reach up to 6 meters per jump. Even the four-day-old pronghorn lamb can run faster than a human, reaching a top speed of 95 kilometers per hour and having amazing staying power. They are able to sustain up to 11 kilometers of running at speeds of 80 to 90 kilometers per hour, which is far faster than any living carnivore, and are known as one of the best long-distance endurance runners on the planet.
4. Sled dog (running with weight in extremely cold conditions)
Dogs are also at the top of the animal endurance rankings, and they are very good long-distance runners. Dogs prefer to run long distances compared to humans, and their endurance and speed are superior. Dogs are able to run long distances at higher speeds and for longer periods of time. Their muscles and respiratory systems are better adapted to long jogging sessions. Among them, the ability of the sled dog is particularly prominent. They are able to run with weight in extreme cold conditions, such as in a sled rally near the North Pole, where a dozen Samoyeds were able to pull hundreds of kilograms of objects for long periods of time, run in the freezing cold of minus 40°C, and rest for only a few hours a day.
5. Horse (good at endurance running)
When it comes to animals with outstanding endurance, horses are undoubtedly at the top of many people's minds. Once upon a time, horses were the workhorses of transportation, with a strong, muscular physique and unique advantages in speed and strength. When it comes to long walks and long hours, horses excel and are arguably one of the animals best at endurance running. They can reach speeds between 20 and 60 kilometers per hour. From ancient times to the present day, horses have demonstrated their endurance and reliability, whether for trade or military conquest. In addition, horses also have a strong cardiovascular system that is able to quickly provide a large amount of oxygen, making it less likely to get tired during long runs.
6. Ostrich (long-distance running champion on land)
When it comes to endurance fighters among animals, ostriches are necessarily among them. Although they are unable to fly with their vestigial wings, they can run at speeds of up to 72 kilometers per hour. In the desert, ostriches show amazing running ability, spanning up to 3.5 meters per step, running continuously at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, and being able to run for more than 5 minutes. When sprinting, it can reach speeds of over 70 kilometers per hour and can leap over obstacles up to 5 meters high. Even with a weight of about 250 to 300 pounds, it is inevitable that the ostrich can run at a steady speed of 60 kilometers per hour, and even in the hot plains of Africa, it can maintain a speed of 50 kilometers per hour for hours.
7. Camel (Desert Boat)
Camels play a vital role in the desert and are known as ships that sail across the desert sea, and are known as the "ships of the desert" for their ability to survive in the desert. Desert areas are sparsely vegetated and have scarce herbivore, but camels survive with their extreme hunger tolerance. Even if there is no grass to eat for days and nights, they can still stay active and even continue to carry heavy loads. Camels are able to adapt to the extreme climate of the desert, whether it is hot or cold. Even in the high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, they can still carry a load weighing up to 300 kilograms, and they can travel dozens of kilometers without stress. Although the camels can travel at only 16 kilometers per hour, they can travel at this speed for up to 16 hours, showing excellent staying power.
8. Wild ass (strong body, long-lasting endurance)
Donkeys are animals known for their great endurance, not only being able to tolerate cold and heat, but also excellent hunger and thirst tolerance, as well as a keen sense of sight, hearing, and smell. Of all the donkey species, the Tibetan wild ass is particularly remarkable. Compared with wild horses, although there is not much difference between the two in size and running speed, the endurance of Tibetan wild asses far exceeds that of wild horses. They can reach speeds of up to 60 to 70 kilometers per hour. It is worth mentioning that the Tibetan wild ass has an extremely special habit of racing with cars. There was once a car and four wild asses in parallel for dozens of kilometers in the desert at an altitude of 4,000 meters, and the speed of the wild asses did not flinch. Tibetan wild asses have excellent endurance and are able to run 40 to 50 kilometers in a row without rest.
9. Wolf (both endurance and speed)
Wolves are recognized as one of the most endurance animals. Its narrow chest and strong back and legs give it the ability to maneuver efficiently, allowing it to walk long distances of more than a dozen kilometers at a speed of about 10 kilometers per hour, adapting to long-term continuous running. Wolves can maintain speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour for up to 20 minutes, and when chasing prey, they can reach speeds close to 65 kilometers per hour, and can even reach distances of up to 5 meters per step when sprinting. Wolves have a heart that makes up one-third of their body weight and a relatively low heart rate compared to the average mammal, and their paws have thickened and keratinized pads that provide excellent cushioning and protection, similar to the "hooves" of hoofed animals. Unlike other apex predators such as felines who strive for speed and accuracy, wolves are better at enduro.
10. Worker bees (in addition to eating and sleeping is working)
If vertebrate limitations are excluded, the most endurance animal is likely to be the worker bee among bees, according to measurable criteria. In a honey bee colony, most of the work is done by worker bees, whose tasks include feeding small larvae and queens, cleaning the hive, removing dead bees or debris, tamping pollen, making honey, building the nest spleen, filling the pores with propolis, defending the hive, etc. Worker bees usually live for only a few months, which is a short and fulfilling life that never seems to stop working. In addition to eating and sleeping, they work tirelessly and diligently every day. Worker bees are deservedly known as the model of "diligence".