The animal kingdom is full of animals that have shown impressive physical skills and adaptable abilities. Some of them are known for agility, while others are known for strength. The lion is the most powerful animal in Africa and is known as the "King of the Beasts," but most people don't realize that a lion is also fast. The fact is, speed is one of the most impressive skills that animals have wherever they live and whether they are playing with their mates or running from other animals, they need this speed to thrive in the wild. For the most part, fast animals have developed this trait to hunt for prey that is just as fast as them or even faster. Humans have always been interested in animals that are the fastest when it comes to running, swimming or leaping. Below, you will find out which animals are the 10 fastest on land:
动物王国中有许多动物展现了傲人的体力和适应能力。有些以敏捷著称，有些则因力量而闻名。雄狮是非洲草原最具统治力的动物，被誉为"万兽之王"。但不为大多数人所知的是，狮子的速度也很惊人。事实上，速度是动物们最让人印象深刻的技能，无论它们身居何地，无论它们是否在与同伴嬉戏，或是在与其它动物上演追逐战，它们都需要靠速度生存下去。大多数情况下，奔跑速度快的动物会敢于猎捕与他们同速甚至远超他们奔跑速度的猎物。人类总是对跑得最快，游得最快或是跳得最高的动物感兴趣。接下来就带你领略陆地上10种最快动物的风采。
10.African Wild Dog – 44 mph
10.非洲野狗：时速44英里
Dogs in general are fast runners, but African wild dogs are much faster than a typical canine, and can reachspeeds of 44 mph when chasing down their prey. Distinguished by their black-and-brown fur, they are known for their fast running speeds and endurance in the wild.
通常来说狗是竞速高手，但是非洲野狗要比任何一种犬类都要快，当它们追捕猎物时，最高时速能达到44英里。粗糙的皮毛是非洲野狗特有的体征，它们因速度快而闻名，野外生存的耐力也是它们的成名技。
The wild dog is one of the most seriously endangered species in Africa. In the past, the numbers were nearly half a million; today, they are merely a few thousand. At one point, they were spotted all over sub-Sahara Africa except for the jungles and deserts. Human expansion is the main reason why the populations have declined significantly and rapidly, but disease and livestock grazing have also played a role. Botswana and Namibia have the greatest populations on the continent with over 100 dogs living near the Moremi Game Reserve. Wild dogs are carnivorous nomads that travel to hunt for their food. They usually hunt in groups and cover long distances of area. In small packs, they can take down animals much larger than themselves, such as wildebeest and antelopes. They can also eat many times more than their own body weight. In the past, African wild dogs were found in packs of hundreds, and within this pack, they work collectively to take care of young and old dogs. They also spot their prey and engage in long-distance, high-speed chases across the terrain. The African Wildlife Foundation is one group that has worked to maintain the populations of these dogs and reduce poaching. They keep track of current sizes and inform the public about wild dog endangerment, and they plan to improve the gene flow and increase the numbers of these fast African animals.
野狗也是非洲最濒危的物种之一。过去，野狗的数量接近50万；而如今，数量只剩寥寥几千只。它们曾一度遍布于撒哈拉以南的非洲，但那里的丛林和沙漠看不到他们的身影。人类扩张是非洲野狗数量急剧下降的主因，然而疾病和放牧所导致的猎物减少也是野狗数量锐减的重要原因。在博茨瓦纳和纳米比亚，生活着非洲大陆上最多的野狗，而在莫瑞米野生动物保护区附近，也有将近100只野狗。野狗们是集体去寻找食物的"游牧民族"，它们通常集群狩猎，狩猎区域广。别小看它们的个头，野狗们能拿下比它们大得多的动物，比如角马和羚羊。同样野狗们也能吃比自身体型大好几倍的猎物。过去，非洲野狗们通常数百只群居，它们同心协力照顾和保护幼崽、老犬。同样，它们也能在领地里上演追捕猎物的速度与激情。非洲动物基金会致力于保护野狗，防止偷猎行为发生。他们实时监控野狗的数量，宣传保护濒危的非洲野狗，并且他们计划靠扩散外源基因，来增加非洲奔跑健将——野狗——的数量。
9.格雷伊猎犬（灵缇）：时速45英里
Greyhound dogs are distinctively tall, skinny dogs that are renowned for their remarkable speed when compared to other domestic dogs. They have long, lean bodies that make it easier to leap through the air, and small heads and long legs that are more powerful than they look. In Europe and North America, these dogs are often bred for Greyhound racing, which is popular, yet controversial in many circles. In as little as two strides, these dogs can top speeds of 45 mph and in bursts of energy known as sprints, they can run really fast for short periods of time and then often rest for longer periods.
格雷伊猎犬极其瘦高，与其它家犬相比，它惊人的速度使其与众不同。瘦长的身体在奔跑中显得轻盈灵动，它们有小小的头，颀长但强劲有力的四肢。在欧洲和北美，养格雷伊猎犬主要是为了参加赛狗。赛狗虽然流行，但仍饱受争议。只需两步，格雷伊就能达到每小时45英里的最高速度，且冲刺时爆发力惊人，他们可以短时间内快速奔跑，但跑完要休息很长一段时间。
Greyhounds require moderate amounts of exercise but little grooming. The different fur colors include red, white, black or a combination of these shades. These dogs are easy to train and have superior watchdog abilities. The average retirement age for a racer is five years old, and many of these dogs are adopted by loving families after retirement. The breed is one of the oldest ones on earth, having existed for nearly 10,000 years. Its origins began in the Middle East and have spread to regions in Europe, North America and Australia. In the past, these dogs were used as hunters, which helped to create their exceptional running skills. Their common prey included hares, which are also very fast creatures, and foxes. Greyhounds are not designed for secluded living, but they still make good, loyal pets. They are runners and sprinters that need regular exercise to maintain their physique. They can run for long distances and long periods of time, making them ideal jogging partners. People allergic to dogs will find few problems with this breed. They do not do well in cold conditions, however, due to their low body fat content.
格雷伊犬毛色不尽相同，有红色、白色、黑色，甚至是这些颜色的混合色。格雷伊犬易于调教，是作看门犬的潜力股。用于赛狗的格雷伊犬平均退休年龄大约是5岁，之后大多数狗狗都会被有爱心的家庭收养，颐养天年。格雷伊犬是地球上最古老的生物之一，它们已经存在了将近一万年。格雷伊犬起源于中东，并逐渐传向欧洲，北美和澳大利亚等地。过去，格雷伊犬主要用于狩猎，这逐渐激发了它们出众的奔跑能力。通常它们的猎物是野兔和狐狸，野兔也跑得飞快。格雷伊犬注定生来非凡，它们是人类最忠诚的挚友。它们是天生的跑者，需要常规训练来保持体型。它们是长跑耐力高手，也是人类理想的慢跑伙伴。即使对狗过敏的人，碰到格雷伊犬也很少会出现过敏问题。由于身体脂肪含量低，它们天生怕寒。
8.野兔：时速50英里
The Aesop fable called The Tortoise and the Hare has made the hare renowned for its top speed. Most people believe that these animals are rabbits, but they are not. They do, however, belong to the same family and show similar characteristics. They are larger in size when compared to a rabbit and shaped differently with longer ears and longer, stronger legs that make fast running possible. They can run up to 50 mph and leap as high as 10 feet.
兔子跑得快，是经由《伊索寓言·龟兔赛跑》故事的传播而众所周知的，但绝大多数人认为跑得快的是家兔，但实际上并非如此。虽然野兔确实与家兔同属一科，有着类似的外貌，但野兔有着比家兔更加大的体型，在外形上也有诸多不同，耳朵更长，腿部更加粗壮，才能使它们尽可能快速飞奔，时速能达到50英里，弹跳高达10英尺。
In Africa, parts of Asia and North America, hares may live alone or in pairs. There are also white Arctic hares living in the freezing cold regions of the Arctic Circle. Some hare species are also found in the desert, so they are very adaptable animals. Unlike rabbits, they are not domesticated and are more active in the wild. They are often seen boxing each other during breeding seasons in the spring, and they produce their young in nests instead of burrows like their rabbit cousins. Hare babies can see and defend themselves from an early age. Hares run quickly to escape from predators like wild dogs, birds and humans. In Europe and North America, people catch them to prepare various stews and dishes. Some humans get rid of them to keep the pest numbers down. Hares have large ears designed for hearing in the distance, and they are able to detect the scent of predators, including a human, which make them difficult to catch. Hares are shy, calm creatures that mainly eat plants, and they have been used in folklore and mythology for thousands of years. Because of their impressive speed, leaping skills and adaptability in the wild, especially in regards to their small size, humans have always been fascinated by the quick creatures.
在非洲、部分亚洲及北美地区，野兔多独居或成对居住，在极度寒冷的北极圈内也有白北极兔居住，有些野兔甚至存活于沙漠里，可见他们是适应性很强的物种。不同于家兔，野兔未被驯化，保持着原始的野性。在春天的繁殖期，经常会有野兔相互搏击；野兔并不像它的同族家兔那样，在洞穴产育幼崽，而是自己筑巢，野兔宝宝在很小的时候就已有自我防御能力。野兔跑得快是为了从自己的捕食者手中逃离，比如鬣狗、猛禽以及人类。在欧洲和北美，人们会抓野兔用来烹制各色佳肴，有人抓捕野兔，是为了减少野兔带来的害虫数量。野兔的大耳朵专门用来远距离侦听，能够侦查到包括人类在内的捕食者的气息，因此它们很难被逮到。兔子十分胆小敏感，主要吃素，并且在民间传说和神话故事中存在了上千年。对比兔子如此纤小的身姿，却有着极致的速度、惊人的弹跳力和强大的野外适应能力，人们往往对这个敏捷的小家伙极为着迷。
7.印度黑羚：时速50英里
The blackbuck is a type of horned animal that is almost identical to the springbok; however, the fur for males is black instead of reddish brown, like the springbok. The body type of a blackbuck is light and flexible so that it can run fast for long distances and leap over various objects. The average adult blackbuck can reach speeds of 50 mph.
印度黑羚属有角类动物，他们看上去和跳羚长得很像，但雄性黑羚的皮毛是黑色的，而不是像跳羚一样是红棕色。黑羚体型轻盈灵活，善于长距离飞速奔跑并越过各类障碍，成年黑羚的平均奔跑时速可达50英里。
They usually run to escape from predators like wolves, dogs and jackals. Before their extinction, the Asiatic cheetahs used to hunt blackbucks, too. When they sense danger, the whole herd begins leaping into the air and then galloping away. Along with their leaps and speeds, they use their sharp eyesight to see and avoid danger. Blackbucks are found on the Indian subcontinent and mostly protected in national parks and sanctuaries. They are grazers that migrate to look for food and water. The herds vary from dozens to thousands of members. Since they prefer grazing on grass, they avoid areas with shrubs and trees. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 prevents the hunting of blackbucks, but humans still try to hunt blackbucks for their meat and skin, and some people impose on their land for livestock. In the past, they were also hunted in numerous princely states in India, and for many years, Hindus have used the skins for religious purposes. They connect the blackbuck to the moon god known as Chan-drama, and they claim that the animals bring prosperity wherever they go. Although natives of the Middle East, blackbucks have now been introduced into parts of North and South America. In 1932, they were first sent to Texas, and they are still found today in brushes and grasslands where they graze freely.
黑羚经常需要躲避豺狼鬣狗的捕食，在亚洲豹还未灭绝之前，它们也会捕食黑羚。当黑羚感觉到危险时，整个羚羊群就会开始跳跃并飞速逃离，除了跳跃和奔跑以外，它们还依靠敏锐的视力来观察和避免危险。黑羚最早生活在印度次大陆，它们大多数受国家公园和自然保护区的保护。黑羚是食草动物，会随着找寻食物和水源的路线迁移，羚羊群的数目一般是几十只到上千只，由于黑羚喜爱食草，所以迁移路线会避开灌木丛及树林。1972年的《野生动物保护法》明令禁止猎杀黑羚，但依旧有人类为了黑羚肉和皮毛而猎杀它们，有些人强行"征用"黑羚领土来豢养家畜。在过去，印度的贵族阶级也会大量猎杀黑羚；长久以来，印度教徒同样将黑羚皮用于宗教当中，他们将黑羚与月神联系在一起，月神曾因神宗电影而被人熟知。印度教徒声称无论他们走到何地，黑羚皮都会将荣耀带到那处。尽管黑羚原产于中东，但后来也被引进南北美部分地区。1932年，黑羚第一次被引入德克萨斯州，直至今日，我们依旧能看到遍布于灌木丛和草地上悠闲地吃草的黑羚们。
6.狮子：时速50英里
The lion is one of the top predators in Africa, and many people already know of its fierceness, but not about their great speed. Lions are carnivorous hunters that can run up to 50 mph to catch their prey, such as zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, buffaloes and elephants.
狮子是非洲大陆的顶级猎食者，人们早已熟知它的凶猛，对它的惊人速度却知之甚少。狮子捕食各种动物，像斑马、长颈鹿、牛羚、水牛和大象等等，奔跑起来最快时速可达50英里。
They are the biggest cats in existence after tigers, and even though males can weigh as much as 500 pounds, they are still very impressive runners. Hunting activities have significantly reduced the lion populations for decades, and many of these reductions are caused by land conflicts between lions and humans. Now, these great creatures are commonly found in national parks and reserves, however and various reintroduction programs have increased their numbers in these areas including deserts, savannas, grasslands and woodlands. Lions are social creatures that typically hunt in groups called prides. Females hunt the most, while the males defend the prides from attacks. Lions have great abilities to stalk and kill their prey, but sometimes, the prey, such as an elephant, attacks them in return and end up killing the lions. There are five subspecies of lions that are distinguished by their geographic location. Most of them are found in the southern and eastern regions of Africa. Hundreds of years ago, they used to roam northern Africa, Asia and Europe, but they are now nonexistent in these areas. They have been known to occupy a wide range of habitats from tall grassy areas to high mountains, and the only places where they have not been found are deserts and rainforests. However, they can survive in very arid environments.
论体型，狮子是仅次于老虎的大型猫科动物，一只雄狮体重可达500磅。近十几年来人类的猎杀和开发土地，使得狮子数量大量减少，生存空间逐渐减少。尽管在诸多野生动物保护组织的努力下，非洲沙漠、热带大草原和森林里的狮子数量有所增加，但大部分的狮子还是在国家公园或自然保护区内。狮子是群居型动物，通常结群捕食猎物。雌狮常承担捕食任务，而雄狮负责保卫狮群免受其他动物攻击。狮子很善于跟踪猎物，趁其不备突击杀死猎物。有时在捕食大型动物时，如大象，狮子也会受到猎物的反攻，甚至被猎物杀死。由于生存的地理区域不同，狮子可分为五种。大部分生活在非洲的南部和东部。几百年前，在北非、亚洲和欧洲都曾有狮子的足迹，但今天这些地区的狮子都已经消失。狮子可以在很不同自然环境中生存，无论是热带草原还是高山。虽然狮子可以在干旱的环境中生存，但迄今为止，沙漠和雨林还没有发现狮子的踪迹。
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