People know that some animals are fast - but often they are way faster than you might think.
Lots of animals have special adaptations that make them way faster than the fastest people we know.
Here are a few examples of such extraordinary creatures.
Cheetahs
These big cats are known for their incredible speed. They can run as fast as a car on the highway, reaching speeds of up to 60 to 70 miles per hour.
Peregrine Falcons
These birds are the fastest animals in the world when they dive to catch prey. They can reach speeds of up to 240 miles per hour.
Pronghorn Antelopes
They are often called "pronghorn cheetahs" because they can run very fast.
They can reach speeds of around 55 miles per hour and can sustain this pace for a long time.
Horses
Some horse breeds are incredibly fast. Thoroughbred racehorses, for example, can gallop at speeds of up to 40 to 45 miles per hour.
Greyhounds
These dogs are known for their speed. They can sprint at around 45 miles per hour.
Sailfish
In the water, sailfish are incredibly fast. They're considered the fastest fish, and they can swim up to 68 miles per hour. That's like a sports car in the ocean!
Horse Flies
These tiny insects are surprisingly fast flyers. Some species can fly at speeds of about 90 miles per hour.
That's much faster than you'd expect from a little fly!
Conclusion
Animals can sometimes have abilities that people can't compete with - and that's why it's so curious to know about them!