Why Do Animals Run Faster Than Humans? Answered!
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When you think of animals like leopards, lions, cheetahs, and pumas, you probably picture them running. They are all fast sprinters, which raises an obvious question: could Usain Bolt outrun them?
No. Even the fastest human cannot outsprint these animals. Here is the short answer why.
Why do animals run faster than humans? Humans are built for distance, not speed. We run on two legs, and our bodies are adapted for endurance rather than sprinting. Many fast animals run on four legs and on their toes (digitigrade), with longer strides and limb and muscle designs built for bursts of speed.
Let’s look at the other reasons, and at where humans have the edge.
This Is The Reason Why Animals Run Faster Than Humans
Fast animals evolved for speed because their survival depends on it. Predators need to catch prey, and prey need to escape.
Many fast runners, such as dogs and cats, are digitigrade: they walk and run on their toes, which lengthens the leg and the stride. Hoofed animals such as horses and antelopes go further and run on the tips of their toes. Humans are plantigrade, which means we walk on the whole sole of the foot.
Foot posture is not the whole story. Bears are plantigrade like us, and they still sprint much faster than people. Running on four legs, flexible spines, and powerful muscles all add speed.
Our ancestors did not need to be as fast as cheetahs. They relied on their brains, tools, teamwork, and stamina.
That stamina is our real strength. According to a University of Utah study summary of research by Dennis Bramble and Daniel Lieberman, humans are poor sprinters compared with other running animals, but our bodies are built for long-distance running.
Features such as long legs, springy tendons like the Achilles tendon, and sweating that cools the head and body let people run long distances, especially in the heat. Most four-legged mammals cool themselves by panting, which is harder to do while galloping.
Fast animals like cheetahs can only hold top speed for short bursts. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo says a cheetah’s top speed of 60 to 70 miles per hour lasts only about 300 yards.
How Fast Can A Human Run?
Humans are fast for primates but slow compared with many running animals. So how fast can we go?
How fast can a human run? Usain Bolt reached a top speed of nearly 28 mph (about 44 km/h) during his 2009 world-record 100 meters. Most people sprint far slower, often in the range of 10 to 15 mph.
Even Bolt cannot beat the animals that are born to run fast. A cheetah can reach 60 to 70 mph, and an ostrich can sprint at up to 43 mph.
Over long distances, the picture changes. Trained human runners can keep a steady pace for hours, which many animals cannot do, especially in hot weather.
Can Humans Outrun Any Animal?
Humans cannot outsprint most large animals. But can we outrun any of them over distance?
Can humans outrun any animal? Over long distances in hot weather, humans can outlast many animals. Researchers believe early humans may have used this ability to chase prey until it overheated. But some animals, such as sled dogs, wolves and horses, also have excellent endurance, and humans do not beat every animal over every distance.
Our advantage comes from sweating. People can cool down while still running, while many animals must stop to pant.
Why Humans Are Slower Than Most Animals?
Over short distances, many animals easily outrun humans. That is one reason it is dangerous to approach wild animals or to try to outrun one.
Never run from a predator such as a bear or mountain lion. Running can trigger a chase, and you cannot outrun it. Follow local wildlife agency advice instead.
So, why are humans slower than most animals? Humans are slower because our bodies evolved for walking and long-distance running on two legs, not for sprinting. Fast animals evolved for speed because they need it to catch prey or to escape predators.
What Animals Are Slower Than Humans?
Most medium and large animals are faster sprinters than humans, but not all.
Some animals that look fast over a short dash still tire quickly. For example, crocodiles can lunge fast, but they cannot run fast at long distances.
So, are there animals that humans can outrun?
Yes. Humans can outrun many slow-moving animals, such as sloths, tortoises and turtles, snails, and many small rodents and reptiles. But many animals that look slow, including chimpanzees, many monkeys, bears and hippos, can outsprint a person.
Why Are Dogs Faster Than Humans?
If you have played fetch with a dog, you know how quickly it can cover ground. Here is why:
Why are dogs faster than humans? Dogs run on four legs and on their toes (digitigrade). Their flexible spines and long strides help them accelerate quickly. Fast breeds such as greyhounds can sprint far faster than any person.
Dogs also have good endurance. Sled dogs and many working breeds can run for hours. Like other mammals, though, dogs cool themselves mostly by panting, so they overheat more easily than people in hot weather.
When you exercise your dog in warm weather, go early or late in the day, bring water, and stop if your dog is panting hard or lagging. Flat-faced breeds overheat especially easily.
Final Thoughts
Animals are faster sprinters than humans, but people are among the best long-distance runners in the animal kingdom, especially in the heat.
Still, never try to outrun a wild animal. Many animals also need our help, because their habitats are shrinking. Protecting wild spaces helps them keep running.
Sources
- How running made us human: Endurance running let us evolve to look the way we do, University of Utah via ScienceDaily
- Cheetah, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
- Ostrich, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
