The Fastest Animal In The Jungle Has Been Revealed

30. Banana slug

Image source: Reddit

Banana slugs are found in the jungles and rainforests of North America and they have a characteristic yellow appearance with brown spots, hence their name. They are definitely one of if not THE slowest animals in the jungle, reaching a top speed of 0.03 km/h. Their unique appearance is a defense mechanism so that predators of the jungle do not eat them.

29. Three-toed sloth

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The three-toed sloth is a tree-dwelling animal that can be found in the jungles of Central and South America. They spend the majority of their time in the trees, rarely going to the ground. Their front limbs have three toes, and their back two allowing them to hang from branches efficiently. They are SUPER slow due to their low metabolic rate and can move at a speed of around 0.24km/h.

28. Tarsier

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Tasiers are a creature of the jungle found in Southeast Asia and rarely seen by many people. They are small, nocturnal creatures with huge eyes to allow them to adapt to night vision. They can jump up to five meters at a time and have immense hearing abilities. They prefer to live solitary, high up in the trees and they live around 12-20 years. Their ability to jump makes them more speedy, but their movement rate is still quite slow.

27. Giant panda

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Giant Pandas are creatures from the jungles of China. Pandas are known for their slow, clumsy movements. They live on a diet predominantly of bamboo (99%) and it is partly because of the low nutritional value which makes Pandas so slow. They can live up to 20 years, however, in recent years, they are becoming more and more endangered and rare due to the destruction of their habitats.

26. Chameleon

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Chameleons: the masters of disguise. They are of course best known for their ability to change color according to the environment, a defense technique to blend in and camouflage. They live in various jungles around the world and there are over 200 different kinds of Chameleon species. They have independently moving eyes to help them see predators and a long tong to hunt insects. All of their established defenses mean that a chameleon does not need speed!

25. Tapir

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A Tapir is an ancient animal that could be found in various jungles throughout Central and South America and also Southeast Asia. Tapirs are short and sturdy with a short trunk/snot that allows them to grab leaves and fruits easier. They are also surprisingly agile considering their size. They can reach up to 48 km/k which allows them to outrun predators. They can survive up to 25/30 years in the wild.

24. Koala

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Koalas are a marsupial native to Australia. They are known for their characteristic 'endearing' appearance. They live predominantly off eucalyptus leaves. It's a known fact that koalas aren't fast-moving animals. They are extremely efficient climbers however they climb in a very slow, deliberate manner. They move slowly to conserve their energy and they sleep for around 18 to 20 hours a day.

23. Orangutan

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Orangutans are native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. These creatures are highly intelligent, sharing 97% of their DNA with humans meaning that they are our closest relative within the animal kingdom. Sadly, they are extremely vulnerable and are becoming critically endangered due to deforestation and illegal hunting. Female Orangutans have offspring every 6 to 8 years. They are not the fastest animals in the jungle due to their domineering size.

22. Giant anteater

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The giant anteater is a fascinating creature native to Central and South America. It can live in jungles as well as grasslands. It has a very long snout that it uses alongside its sticky tongue (that can reach almost two feet long!) to be able to catch ants and termites. Whilst it's not amongst the most slow-moving animals in the jungle, it is also by no means the quickest. It reaches average speeds but its abilities lie in its ability to catch insects.

21. Leaf-tailed gecko

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The leaf-tailed gecko is also known as the Uroplatus, it is a reptile that can be found in the jungles and rainforests of Madagascar and surrounding islands. It has the ability to camouflage to fit its environment exceptionally well, hence its name, it often appears as a dead leaf. Their large eyes are adapted to see at the night. They are agile creatures, able to escape many predators through movement and camouflage.

20. Capybara

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Capybaras are the largest rodent in the world. They appear as wild, large-sized guinea pigs and they are native to areas of South America, including the jungle. They are surprisingly agile despite their stocky size and they can reach 35 km/h which allows them to run away from the predators of the jungle, They are also powerful swimmers so they are adapted efficiently to suit both environments.

19. Spider monkey

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Spider monkeys are an amazing creatures with extremely efficient limbs that can be used effectively as a four, but they can even walk on two replicating the actions of a human. They are also very social animals. They have a lot of agility and speed both on the ground and in the trees. They can reach 10 km/h meaning that they are super speedy, even if not the fastest in the jungle.

18. Sumatran rhinoceros

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The Sumatran rhino is one of the most critically endangered species in the entire world with less than 4 remaining throughout the entire world. In many places, they have officially been announced as extinct due to the destruction of their habitat as well as poaching. In the wild, they live in the jungles of Southeast Asia, particularly Sumatra and Borneo. Despite their huge build, they can reach fast speeds when running.

17. Black caiman

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Black caimans are a kind of alligator that is often found in the jungles throughout South America. It is the largest member of the alligator family and they are one of the deadliest predators of the animal kingdom. Their appearance helps them blend into the surroundings of the murky water and that, along with their stealth and speed make them a formidable force. They are very fast and can strike at a very fast pace!

16. Gorilla

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Gorillas are an incredible animal, they are huge and powerful, and highly intelligent. Whilst they have an imposing appearance they are known for their gentle natures. Gorillas are herbivores and use the foraging of vegetation and fruits to survive. Usually, they are slow and steady in their movement yet when necessary they can display surprising displays of speed.

15. Orinoco crocodile

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The Orinoco is a kind of crocodile found near the jungles of Venezuela and Colombia. Sadly, this amazing creature is also under huge threat and it is currently on the critically endangered species list. It can move at high speeds, but it is particularly fast in the water and it can cover distances within short spaces of time, on land it is slightly slower and less agile.

14. African elephant

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The African elephant is a hugely majestic animal and the largest land animal on earth. Their habitat varies across Africa and it includes forests, savannahs as well as the jungle. They are so intelligent and also have the ability to reach great speeds when running. African elephants are very social and they create family structures in which they form incredible bonds.

13. Goeldi's Monkey

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The Goeldi monkey is a species of monkey found in the jungles of the Virunga Mountains of East Africa. They are highly active and can run and swing at high speeds with immense agility. They are massively sociable and their groups can reach sizes of 100 monkeys. They live off bamboo, fruits, and flowers and play a crucial role in spreading bamboo seeds.

12. Plumbeous Kite

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The plumbeous kite is found in the jungles of Central and South America. They are part of the Accipitridae family which also includes eagles, hawks, and other high-speed birds. It can soar up to great speeds making it one of the fasted animals and birds in the jungle. The plumbeous kite feeds off small insects which it can spot from a great height and target.

11. Siamang

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Siamangs are found in the jungles of Southeast Asia and they are the most common kind of gibbon species and the largest. They have an impressive vocal range which is signified by their large throat sac. These 'singing' sounds are to communicate with their family group or to warn off predators. They are also very fast movers and can move from tree to tree with extreme nimbleness.

10. Olive baboon

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The olive baboon is a very adaptable primate and it can be found in a variety of habitats, including the jungle. They are extremely resourceful and their omnivore diet consists of small vertebrae, vegetation, and small insects. They are also VERY fast. They can run at high speeds and this is displayed usually when fleeing a predator or when having playful interactions with members of its large family.

9. African lion

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Lions are understandably renowned as one of the most majestic creatures ever. They live in packs and are the second largest cat species in the world, second only to the Siberian tiger. They are highly powerful, and although they are known for strength rather than the speed they can run very fast for short sprints. They do not have the stamina to continue but they are impressively fast during short spurts.

8. Fiery-throated Hummingbird

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The fiery-throated hummingbird is a species known for its vibrant colors and its name comes from the contrasting reds on its throat. It can be found in the jungle, usually in Costa Rica and Central America. Not only is it remarkably beautiful but it's also extremely fast and acrobatic. They can hover in mid-air and stay incredibly still, while their wings flap up to 80 times per second!

7. Bengal tiger

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There really is no wonder why this beautiful species is often called the King of the Jungle. Bengal towers in particular live in jungle areas in India. They are also amongst the fastest land runners. They can reach up to 80 km/h for a short amount of time meaning that they are formidable hunters. Their strength and size mean hunting comes easily. Bengal tigers are different from others of their species in that they are very solitary animals.

6. Tropical kingbird

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The tropical kingbird lives in various areas of America, particularly jungle areas. They have an extremely striking and colorful appearance and they are super fast and swift creatures, making them very efficient at hunting flying insects. When they reach their maximum flight speeds they can be anywhere in the region of around 60-80 km/h, making them not the fastest, but amongst the fastest of the jungle.

5. Jaguar

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The Jaguar is the third largest cat in the world. It is native to America and usually resides in the jungles. Its distinctive patterned coat sets it apart from other coats and it is also known for its intense hunting abilities and practices. Not only do they have immense strength but they can also reach up to an impressive 105 km/h in short stints and they have extreme precision for catching prey.

4. Crested Guan

Image source: Reddit

The crested guan is a bird species found in Central America, for example, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize... It has a very unique appearance bearing a crest-shaped plumage on its head. The crested guan is a very fast species and not only can they run fast on the ground they are also fast and agile climbers. They largely feed off fruits and foliage in the jungle.

3. Pronghorn

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The Pronghorn Antelope is one of the fastest species that can be found near the areas of the jungles. It now remains one of the only remaining members of the Antilocapridae family. They have slender bodies, and long legs and can run long distances with great stamina whilst also reaching impressive speeds of up to 90 km/h making it one of the fastest land animals!

2. Cheetah

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The cheetah, of course, is widely known as THE fasted land animal ever known. It can reach up to 120 km/h meaning that it can be outrun by no other species on land. Its impressive speed comes from its slender body and powerful limbs. They are built with the purpose of accelerating to extreme speeds. Despite their formidable existence, they are still under great threat from humans.

1. White-throated Needletail

Image source: Reddit

The white-throated needletail is a species of bird with immense capabilities. It is highly specialized for flight, among the fastest bird and the fastest animal in the jungle! It wins the top sot absolutely, being able to reach an impressive and unbeatable 169 km/h. Its streamlined body, small square tail, and long thin wings make it the perfect speedy flier.