The cheetah and peregrine falcon are considered to be the two fastest animals in the world, with the cheetah being the fastest land animal and the peregrine falcon being the fastest bird. The cheetah can run up to 70 mph, while a diving peregrine falcon can reach speeds of over 240 mph. The two animals have different hunting techniques, with cheetahs hunting on land and tripping their prey with their speed, while peregrine falcons strike their prey mid-flight and let it drop from high altitudes. Both animals are deserving of their record-holding status, as each has developed exceptional hunting methods that best suit its habitat.

Cheetah vs. Peregrine Falcon: Who’s the Fastest Animal in the World?

There is no doubt that speed is an essential aspect of life when it comes to hunting, survival or competition. The animal kingdom is full of remarkable creatures that have different levels of speed, agility, and strength. When it comes to speed, cheetahs and peregrine falcons are widely renowned as the fastest animals on the planet. However, a debate has always been ongoing as to who among the two is the fastest. This article will compare and contrast the two animals, giving a clear perspective on their speed efficiency.

Cheetah’s Speed

The cheetah is known for its light frame, slender build, and unmistakable black spots that cover their yellowish-orange fur. These magnificent creatures reside mainly in Africa’s savannah grassland and open plains. They are known for their tremendously fast sprinting ability, which is crucial when hunting down prey.

The cheetah’s speed is remarkable, as it can run at an incredible speed of 70 miles per hour (112 km/h). This speed is almost double that of a greyhound involved in dog races. Additionally, they require only seconds to reach the highest speed possible, making them the fastest land animal on the planet.

Peregrine Falcon’s Speed

Peregrine falcons are the fastest birds in the world and are widely renowned for their exceptional hunting prowess. These falcons are found globally in regions such as tundras, seacoasts, and mountain areas. They are known for their long narrow wings and their dark-blue-gray head which is slightly curved.

The peregrine falcon’s speed is impressive as it can accelerate while diving at speeds of over 240 miles per hour (386 km/h). During hunting, the peregrine falcon will fly high up in the sky before diving at high speeds to strike at its prey with its talons.

Differences in Hunting Techniques

Cheetahs and peregrine falcons differ in hunting. Peregrine falcon hunts in the skies, whereas cheetah hunts down prey on land. A peregrine falcon is known for hunting birds, which it dives on and strikes with its talons. These birds include ducks, doves, and pigeons, among others. On the other hand, cheetahs hunt down gazelles, impalas, and other hooved animals.

Cheetahs are successful at hunting down animals that are much larger than them. They rely on their speed to chase and trip the prey, with their prey often dying within seconds of the attack. In contrast, a peregrine falcon will strike its prey in mid-flight and then let it drop to the ground from the high altitude it reached during the dive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both cheetah and peregrine falcon have proved to be remarkably fast creatures during hunting down prey. However, peregrine falcons are undoubtedly faster than cheetahs when diving at high speeds. Cheetahs, on the other hand, are the fastest animals on land and can outrun animals that are much larger than them. It all boils down to their respective habitats and their hunting techniques.

Therefore, both cheetah and peregrine falcon are deserving of their record-holding status, and each animal has developed exceptional hunting methods that best suit its habitat, making them different from each other despite being known for their high speed.