The primacy in speed among predators on earth belongs to the representatives of the feline family, and among them the cheetah is considered the fastest - this small predatory cat can run at a speed of more than one hundred kilometers per hour. Other felines also know how to move quickly, and among the representatives of other families, the coyote boasts the highest speed.
Cheetah
The cheetah is the fastest carnivore in the world. This is a species of the feline family, which differs markedly in its structure from other members of its family. This is a large cat with well-developed muscles, a very slender body, almost without fat deposits, making the cheetah seem even too thin and fragile. But it is precisely its lightness and slenderness, as well as the special structure of the head - small, smooth, with small round ears - that give this predator the opportunity to develop tremendous speeds. The cheetah can accelerate to 75 kilometers per hour in just two seconds (which can be compared to the fastest racing car in the world), and the maximum speed of these cats reaches 120 kilometers per hour.
Due to their high-speed capabilities, cheetahs are excellent hunters, they hunt hares, gazelles, wildebeests and other small animals. They do not use the common feline attack tactics from behind bushes or shelters, but openly pursue their prey. But such races deprive them of their strength, so cheetahs have to rest for half an hour after a successful hunt.
Cheetahs are found in India, Africa and Asia, but the activity of poachers gradually leads to the fact that these unique predators are dying out, in many countries they have completely disappeared.
Lion and other felines
Among predators, the lion ranks second in speed; this large representative of the feline family can accelerate to 80 kilometers per hour. Lions are so far behind cheetahs because of their body structure: they are very massive and heavy, but powerful legs with well-developed muscles allow them to develop such a high speed. Although male lions rarely use their ability, giving lionesses the right to chase prey. Lions are good at using their ability to run quickly, they attack the herd, forcing individuals to separate from the rest and driving them into a trap.
Tigers run almost as fast as lions, especially certain species - for example, the Amur tiger can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, while moving through the snow. The leopard moves a little slower, up to 75 kilometers per hour. A jaguar that prefers to hunt in ambushes can move at a speed of about 70 kilometers per hour, but only for very short distances.
Even ordinary domestic cats can run fast, their maximum speed is 50 kilometers per hour.
Coyote
The coyote is the fastest carnivore on earth, aside from felines. These animals belong to the canine family, are small in size and weight, but they can accelerate to 65 kilometers per hour, although most often they run at a speed of about 50 kilometers per hour. They use their speed to hunt hares, marmots, ground squirrels and other small mammals, and occasionally catch pheasants.
