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You are here: Backpacker Resources > Travel Books > Travel Book for November 2010

Travel Book for November 2010

Biggest Fastest Deadliest, The Book of Fascinating Facts by Dan Bridges

ANIMALS

TOP TEN WORLD’S BIGGEST ANIMALS ON LAND

1. African Elephant 8.5 t/6.66 m (21.85 ft)
2. Asian Elephant 4.2 t/5.94 m (19.5 ft)
3. White Rhinoceros 2.3 t/3.78 m (12.5 ft)
4. Hippopotamus 2.5 t/3.35 m (11 ft)
5. Gaur 1.6 t/2.99 m (9.8 ft)
6. Giraffe 1.4 t/4.69 m (15.4 ft)
7. Walrus 1.2 t/3.35 m (11 ft)
8. Black Rhinoceros 1.2 t/3.43 m (11.25 ft)
9. Saltwater Crocodile 785 kg/6.10 m (20 ft)
10. Wild Asian Water Buffalo 770 kg/3.47 m (11.4 ft)

TOP TEN WORLD’S FASTEST ANIMALS ON LAND

1. Cheetah 71 mph (114 km/h)
2. Pronghorn Antelope 57 mph (95 km/h)
3. Blue Wildebeest 50 mph (80 km/h)
4. Lion 50 mph (80 km/h)
5. Springbok 50 mph (80 km/h)
6. Brown Hare 48 mph (77 km/h)
7. Red Fox 48 mph (77 km/h)
8. Grant’s Gazelle 47 mph (76 km/h)
9. Thomson’s Gazelle 47 mph (76 km/h)
10. Horse 45 mph (72 km/h)

TOP TEN WORLD’S FASTEST ANIMALS IN WATER

1. Sailfish 70 mph (113 km/h)
2. Mako Shark 60 mph (97 km/h)
3. Marlin 50 mph (80 km/h)
4. Killer Whale 48 mph (77 km/h)
5. Wahoo 48 mph (77 km/h)
6. Tunny 46 mph (74 km/h)
7. Bluefish Tuna 44 mph (70 km/h)
8. Great Blue Shark 43 mph (69 km/h)
9. Bonefish 40 mph (64 km/h) / Swordfish 40 mph (64 km/h)
10. Four-winged Flying Fish 35 mph (56 km/h)

TOP TEN WORLD’S FASTEST ANIMALS IN THE AIR

1. Peregrine Falcon 200 mph (322 km/h)*
2. Spine-tailed Swift, aka the White-throated Needletail 106 mph (171 km/h)
3. Frigate Bird 95 mph (153 km/h)
4. Spur-winged Goose 88 mph (142 km/h)
5. Red-breasted Merganser 80 mph (129 km/h)
6. White-rumped Swift 77 mph (124 km/h)
7. Canvasback Duck 72 mph (116 km/h)
8. Eider Duck 70 mph (113 km/h)
9. Teal 68 mph (109 km/h)
10. Mallard 65 mph (105 km/h)

* This speed is achieved only through diving.

TOP TEN WORLD’S BIGGEST BIRDS (WINGSPANS)

1. Albatross 3.6 m (11.8 ft)
2. Eastern White Pelican 3.6 m (11.8 ft)
3. Andean Condor 3.2 m (10.5 ft)
4. Whooping Swan 2.99 m (9.8 ft)
5. Bearded Vulture 2.99 m (9.8 ft)
6. Turkey Vulture 2.8 m (9.2 ft)
7. Grey Crane 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
8. Golden Eagle 2.5 m (8.2 ft)
9. White Stork 1.8 m (5.9 ft)
10. Grey Heron 1.71 m (5.6 ft)

Fascinating Facts

• Peregrine falcons are the fastest animals in the world. They fly at an average of 90 mph (145 km/h).
• An elephant, despite its ponderous appearance, can reach speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) on an open stretch.
• Sloths move so slowly that algae is formed on their coats, this is advantageous as it serves as camouflage and provides nutrients for the sloth when licked.

Biggest Fastest Deadliest, The Book of Fascinating Facts by Dan Bridges is published by Summersdale (hardback; £9.99). It is also available through amazon.com and all good booksellers.