In the wild, speed is the most important means of survival. If you don't have that, then you have to be smart enough to outwit your predators. Most of these 25 fastest land animals have a prey-predator relationship among themselves and it's interesting to note that evolution has gradually honed their speed to sustain the ecological balance. If man were conscientious enough to keep their hunting activities at a low key, then nature wouldn't have to suffer too much in the game of survival of the fittest.
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25
Giraffe
Other than the fact that it can zoom away at 32 mph (51 kmph), the giraffe is the tallest living mammal on land and the largest ruminant. It is also popular because of its really long neck, the puzzle like prints on its pelt and the equally long legs. These graceful towering mammals can see in full color and its nostrils can close so they don't inhale sand or ants.
24
Grizzly Bear
Bears are often depicted as stuffed animals that look gentle and cuddly. But the real bears like the grizzly bears are anything but that. They can be quite ferocious and active in protecting their cubs and are quick on their forelegs and hind legs at 34.8 mph (56 kph) despite their sheer size. They love to fish salmon in streams and lakes during salmon spawn.
23
Jackal
One of the popular canine predators in the wild specifically in some parts of Africa and south central Eurasia, the jackal is closely related to the wolves, dogs and coyotes, their appearance in itself says it all. At 35 mph (56 kph), they can hunt for their young and chase away their rivals.
22
Mule Deer
A mule deer is a deer and not in any way related to mules except for its large ears which resembles that of the latter. These mammals are native to western North America but have been in later years introduced in Argentina. As the prey of mountain lions and bobcats among others, they are more vulnerable when sick or maimed but are hunted at time in their healthiest when they can run at 35 mph (56 kph).
21
Whippet
Descendants of the fastest dogs on earth is the Whippet or some call it the English Whippet or Snap dog. Though its a smaller sighthound breed, it participates in dog racing, like hare coursing, giving it's moniker "the poor man's racehorse". It can zoom away at 35 mph (56 kph) using its double suspension gallop, a unique running style.
20
Mongolian Wild Ass
This endangered member of the genus Equus is a native of East Asia, particularly Mongolia and Northern China. Although it can run up to 40 mph (64 kph), it wasn't spared from poaching for its meat eventually pinning it on the endangered list and is now fully protected by the Mongolian government as well as other international environmental advocates.
19
Zebra
The black and white stripes on a Zebra's pelt has inspired not only the fashion and art world but even the color of the seats of Mbombela Stadium, one of South Africa's eye catching infrastructures. These stripes, which was said to be for camouflage, are unique to each of them and of course made them famous to humans. As a member of the African equids, they can run as fast as 40 mph (64 kph) and have the stamina to outrun their predators.
18
Hyena
Hyenas have always been known for the their vocalizations that are akin to human's normal vocal reactions. The chattering laugh, yells and giggles has given them the nickname "laughing hyenas" and have been depicted in cartoons and movies. But the laughter and giggles are not synonymous to fun or comedy for these cat like dog like creatures who can run at 40 mph (64 kph). It warns the prey that this ferocious carnivore is close by and ready to attack.
17
Thomson's Gazelle
Named after Joseph Thomson, a Scottish geologist and explorer, this gazelle is one of the most well known subspecies with a population exceeds to 500 thousand. Grazing in the Serengeti region of Kenya and Tanzania, it can evade predators at a speed of 40.4 mph (65 kph) and perhaps even faster since its' main predator is the cheetah.
16
Gray Fox
There are only 2 living members of the genus Urocyon, the Channel Island fox and the gray fox. Because of man's fervor for advancement, the gray fox which is considered one of the most primitive of the living canids, was outnumbered by the red fox. These mammals which can run up to 42 mph (67.5 kph) and is able to climb trees to evade its predators like domestic dogs or coyotes.
15
Greyhound
The second domesticated animal on the list, of the same subspecies and the ancestor of the second one, the greyhound used to be primarily bred for racing, but is now more popular as a family pet. This sighthound can speed up to 43 mph (69 kph) within 30 m and bound at almost 20 mps for the race's first 250 meters. This breed is second to the fastest animal on land, the cheetah in terms of accelerating over a short distance.
14
Onager
A member of the genus Equus along with horses, donkeys, mule and etc., it runs at 43 mph (69 kph) even though it looks heavier and larger than the latter two. Unlike most of the animals in its genus, this animal is famously untamable as opposed to its possible domestication in Ancient Sumer.
13
Coyote
This canine, also known as the American jackal among others, has inspired animators and filmmakers to either create characters or a movie title after it. It can reach speeds of up to 43 mph (69 kph) and can devour almost anything from small mammals to insects to your pets and even dig into your garbage bin.
12
Ostrich
The fastest bird on land clocking at 43.5 mph (70 kph) is also the largest living species of bird in the world and also lays the largest eggs. This bird is also the fastest two legged animal and the only bird on this list.
11
Red Kangaroo
These guys can hop at speeds of 44 mph (71 kph) and maintain that speed for 1.2 miles (2 km). The faster it hops the lesser energy it consumes.
10
Cape Hunting Dog
It looks like a hyena but it's not. The Cape Hunting Dog is called by several other names like ornate wolf and painted dog and can reach speeds of up to 45 mph (72 kph).
9
Elk
Don't let its size fool you, the second largest species of deer, the elk or wapiti at times can run at 45 mph (72 kph).
8
Jackrabbit
Remember that fable about the hare and the tortoise? Even though it's just a fable, there's truth to how fast a jackrabbit can run. These little guys can outrun their predators at 45 mph (72 kph) through a combination of leaps and zigzags. It can even leap an impressive 3 m (9.8 ft) in one bound.
7
Lion
We've seen it all in movies, not to mention the highly acclaimed animated blockbuster about the majestic lives of lions in the wild. We have seen them run, scramble, play, fight and survive with their pride and the rest of the jungle. These mighty felines maybe the second largest living cat but at maximum speed of 50 mph (80 kph), it sure can run.
6
Black buck
Native to the Indian continent, this antelope that has been classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature is also the last of its species in the genus Antilope. Clocking at 50 mph (80 kph), these antelopes are hunted by feral cats and wolves.
5
Wildebeest
Wildebeest, also known as gnu, looks larger and slower than the usual antelope like the Pronghorns but it can amazingly zoom away at 50 mph (80 kph). Unfortunately, big cats are not the only predators that wildebeests have to evade, they are also hunted for it's meat, especially during the autumn season when it's most tender. Its meat is a delicacy in Southern Africa called biltong, their version of meat jerky.
4
Quarter Horse
This guy have been clocked at 55 mph (88 kph).
3
Springbok
Although at times Springboks may run faster than Pronghorn Antelopes, it cannot run really far at maximum speed. As the lions'favorite lunch, this would be a disadvantage, but running faster than its main predator at up to 62 mph (100 kph) gives them hope for survival.
2
Pronghorn Antelope
There really isn't an accurate measurement of the pronghorn antelope's speed but it has been clocked at 61 mph (98 kph). Since it has larger vital organs such as the lungs and heart, it can sustain this lightning speed longer than the cheetah.
1
Cheetah
Althouth it lacks climbing abilities and does not roar like the other big cats, the cheetah is the fastest animal on land able to reach speeds of up to 75 mph (121 kmph). The cheetah can cover distances up to 500 m and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds. The only existing member of the genus Acinonyx has several subspecies that includes the Asiatic cheetah and the Northwest-African cheetah.