Tigers are majestic animals that are well-known for their strength, power, and speed. In fact, they have been symbols of such traits for hundreds of years.
But how fast can a tiger actually run? Are tigers really some of the fastest animals? To answer these questions – and more – take a look at the info-packed article below.
Tiger Running Speed
Tigers are some of the biggest cats of all. However, if you think that their size makes them one of the slower cats, you couldn’t be more wrong. They can actually run faster than most other predators on land.
In fact, the tiger likely earned its name thanks to its immense speed. ‘Tiger’ derives from the Persian word ‘Tigra’, meaning quick and/or sharp, which is likely a reference to the way that tigers launch their attack on their prey.
So, how fast do these speedy animals actually run? Well, tigers are capable of reaching a speed of around 49 to 80 km/h. This is the same as 30 to 50 mph. However, they can only do this in short bursts.
Tigers can only maintain their top speed for roughly 100 meters. This means that they need to get as close to their prey as possible before they use their energy on the final part of the hunt.
Because of this, their success rate is only around 40% of all chases.
Are Tigers The Fastest Land Animals?
No, tigers are not the fastest animals. In fact, there are many animals that are much quicker than tigers. Check them out below.
Cheetahs
The cheetah is the fastest land animal. They can accelerate from 0 to 95 km/h in just 3 seconds. Their top speed is roughly 120 km/h, making it much faster than all other wild cats, including tigers.
However, like tigers, cheetahs can only maintain their top speed for a brief amount of time. In fact, they can only sprint for around 60 seconds.
Interestingly, when they are running at their top speed, cheetahs actually spend more time in the air than on the ground!
Pronghorns
The Pronghorn is one of the fastest land animals and the fastest species of antelope. Unlike the cheetah and the tiger, the Pronghorn is able to run at its highest speeds over long distances. Specifically, it has the ability to run at 56 km/h for 6 km.
Springboks
When looking at this small and innocent gazelle, it’s hard to believe that it can reach speeds of up to 88 km/h. But – they really can!
However, their speed isn’t their main skill. They can jump up to 3 meters high and turn very sharply, even when running at their high speeds.
Wildebeest
Wildebeest are huge animals. However, they are surprisingly fast considering their size. Thanks to their muscular build, they are excellent endurance runners. They can reach top speeds of around 80.5 km/h.
Lions
Believe it or not, lions are the only member of the big five to make the list of the top 10 fastest land animals. Lions are the fastest big cats, with a top speed of around 80 km/h. However, they can only manage this for short distances.
As such, lions are much like tigers, in the sense that they lack endurance. As a consequence, lions also need to stack their prey very closely. They also work as a team to ensure that their hunts are as successful as possible.
Blackbucks
Also known as the Indian Antelope, the Blackbuck is capable of reaching speeds of around 80 km per hour. Thanks to their massive strides, they can continue to run at this speed for nearly 2 km.
Unfortunately, these animals are popular trophy animals thanks to their horns.
Hares
Yes, you read that right. You’re likely thinking… ‘I know hares were fast, but faster than a tiger? Really?’. Well, hares can actually reach a top speed of around 80 km/h. Thanks to their super-powerful hind legs, they are able to evade many predators.
Greyhounds
Greyhounds are a type of hunting dog. These dogs have been bred over hundreds of years to become faster and faster. The highest recorded speed of a greyhound dog is 74 km/h. Greyhound racing is now a popular sport.
Kangaroo
Whilst these large marsupials are known for their ability to jump, they are actually built perfectly for speed. They have strong back legs and very muscular tails that help them to reach a top hopping speed of 71 km/h in short bursts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Runs Faster, A Deer Or A Tiger?
Deer tend to have a maximum running speed of 90 km/h. As such, deer tend to be much quicker than tigers. However, tigers are still able to catch deer because they are much stronger animals.
Deer also generally look back at their predator when they are being hunted, which slows them down considerably.
How Fast Can A White Tiger Run?
White tigers are tigers that have a white coat with black stripes. They are now extinct in the wild, but there exist 200 in captivity. These tigers can run up to a whopping 97 km/h, or 60 mp/h.
Is A Jaguar Faster Than A Tiger?
Jaguars also make the list of animals that can run faster than tigers. In fact, Jaguars can run at a high speed of 80 km/h or 50 mp/h. Jaguars are also more powerful than tigers. In fact, Jaguars have the most powerful bites of all of the big cats.
Conclusion
Despite being symbols of power, strength, and speed, tigers are actually much slower than many other animals – including some other big cats.
However, they are still intelligent and wonderful animals that deserve protection. We hope that this article has ignited an interest in land animals.
Hi, my name is Joe Edwards and I am fascinated by the world of big cats. It all started when my family and I visited a safari park when I was six years old. I begged my parents to get me a stuffed lion as a memento, and later a book about big cats for Christmas.
Now, over 20 years later, I still can’t get enough of them!
