地球上速度最快的十種動物(上)

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:

動物王國中有許多動物展現了傲人的體力和適應能力。有些以敏捷著稱，有些則因力量而聞名。雄獅是非洲草原最具統治力的動物，被譽爲"萬獸之王"。但不爲大多數人所知的是，獅子的速度也很驚人。事實上，速度是動物們最讓人印象深刻的技能，無論它們身居何地，無論它們是否在與同伴嬉戲，或是在與其它動物上演追逐戰，它們都需要靠速度生存下去。大多數情況下，奔跑速度快的動物會敢於獵捕與他們同速甚至遠超他們奔跑速度的獵物。人類總是對跑得最快，遊得最快或是跳得最高的動物感興趣。接下來就帶你領略陸地上10種最快動物的風采。

can Wild Dog – 44 mph

10.非洲野狗：時速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.

通常來說狗是競速高手，但是非洲野狗要比任何一種犬類都要快，當它們追捕獵物時，最高時速能達到44英里。粗糙的皮毛是非洲野狗特有的體徵，它們因速度快而聞名，野外生存的耐力也是它們的成名技。

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.

野狗也是非洲最瀕危的物種之一。過去，野狗的數量接近50萬；而如今，數量只剩寥寥幾千只。它們曾一度遍佈於撒哈拉以南的非洲，但那裏的叢林和沙漠看不到他們的身影。人類擴張是非洲野狗數量急劇下降的主因，然而疾病和放牧所導致的獵物減少也是野狗數量銳減的重要原因。在博茨瓦納和納米比亞，生活着非洲大陸上最多的野狗，而在莫瑞米野生動物保護區附近，也有將近100只野狗。野狗們是集體去尋找食物的"遊牧民族"，它們通常集羣狩獵，狩獵區域廣。別小看它們的個頭，野狗們能拿下比它們大得多的動物，比如角馬和羚羊。同樣野狗們也能吃比自身體型大好幾倍的獵物。過去，非洲野狗們通常數百隻羣居，它們同心協力照顧和保護幼崽、老犬。同樣，它們也能在領地裏上演追捕獵物的速度與激情。非洲動物基金會致力於保護野狗，防止偷獵行爲發生。他們實時監控野狗的數量，宣傳保護瀕危的非洲野狗，並且他們計劃靠擴散外源基因，來增加非洲奔跑健將——野狗——的數量。

hound – 45 mph

9.格雷伊獵犬（靈緹）：時速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.

格雷伊獵犬極其瘦高，與其它家犬相比，它驚人的速度使其與衆不同。瘦長的身體在奔跑中顯得輕盈靈動，它們有小小的頭，頎長但強勁有力的四肢。在歐洲和北美，養格雷伊獵犬主要是爲了參加賽狗。賽狗雖然流行，但仍飽受爭議。只需兩步，格雷伊就能達到每小時45英里的最高速度，且衝刺時爆發力驚人，他們可以短時間內快速奔跑，但跑完要休息很長一段時間。

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.

格雷伊犬毛色不盡相同，有紅色、白色、黑色，甚至是這些顏色的混合色。格雷伊犬易於調教，是作看門犬的潛力股。用於賽狗的格雷伊犬平均退休年齡大約是5歲，之後大多數狗狗都會被有愛心的家庭收養，頤養天年。格雷伊犬是地球上最古老的生物之一，它們已經存在了將近一萬年。格雷伊犬起源於中東，並逐漸傳向歐洲，北美和澳大利亞等地。過去，格雷伊犬主要用於狩獵，這逐漸激發了它們出衆的奔跑能力。通常它們的獵物是野兔和狐狸，野兔也跑得飛快。格雷伊犬註定生來非凡，它們是人類最忠誠的摯友。它們是天生的跑者，需要常規訓練來保持體型。它們是長跑耐力高手，也是人類理想的慢跑夥伴。即使對狗過敏的人，碰到格雷伊犬也很少會出現過敏問題。由於身體脂肪含量低，它們天生怕寒。

– 50 mph

8.野兔：時速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，是經由《伊索寓言·龜兔賽跑》故事的傳播而衆所周知的，但絕大多數人認爲跑得快的是家兔，但實際上並非如此。雖然野兔確實與家兔同屬一科，有着類似的外貌，但野兔有着比家兔更加大的體型，在外形上也有諸多不同，耳朵更長，腿部更加粗壯，才能使它們儘可能快速飛奔，時速能達到50英里，彈跳高達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、部分亞洲及北美地區，野兔多獨居或成對居住，在極度寒冷的北極圈內也有白北極兔居住，有些野兔甚至存活於沙漠裏，可見他們是適應性很強的物種。不同於家兔，野兔未被馴化，保持着原始的野性。在春天的繁殖期，經常會有野兔相互搏擊；野兔並不像它的同族家兔那樣，在洞穴產育幼崽，而是自己築巢，野兔寶寶在很小的時候就已有自我防禦能力。野兔跑得快是爲了從自己的捕食者手中逃離，比如鬣狗、猛禽以及人類。在歐洲和北美，人們會抓野兔用來烹製各色佳餚，有人抓捕野兔，是爲了減少野兔帶來的害蟲數量。野兔的大耳朵專門用來遠距離偵聽，能夠偵查到包括人類在內的捕食者的氣息，因此它們很難被逮到。兔子十分膽小敏感，主要吃素，並且在民間傳說和神話故事中存在了上千年。對比兔子如此纖小的身姿，卻有着極致的速度、驚人的彈跳力和強大的野外適應能力，人們往往對這個敏捷的小傢伙極爲着迷。

kbuck – 50 mph

7.印度黑羚：時速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.

印度黑羚屬有角類動物，他們看上去和跳羚長得很像，但雄性黑羚的皮毛是黑色的，而不是像跳羚一樣是紅棕色。黑羚體型輕盈靈活，善於長距離飛速奔跑並越過各類障礙，成年黑羚的平均奔跑時速可達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.

黑羚經常需要躲避豺狼鬣狗的捕食，在亞洲豹還未滅絕之前，它們也會捕食黑羚。當黑羚感覺到危險時，整個羚羊羣就會開始跳躍並飛速逃離，除了跳躍和奔跑以外，它們還依靠敏銳的視力來觀察和避免危險。黑羚最早生活在印度次大陸，它們大多數受國家公園和自然保護區的保護。黑羚是食草動物，會隨着找尋食物和水源的路線遷移，羚羊羣的數目一般是幾十只到上千只，由於黑羚喜愛食草，所以遷移路線會避開灌木叢及樹林。1972年的《野生動物保護法》明令禁止獵殺黑羚，但依舊有人類爲了黑羚肉和皮毛而獵殺它們，有些人強行"徵用"黑羚領土來豢養家畜。在過去，印度的貴族階級也會大量獵殺黑羚；長久以來，印度教徒同樣將黑羚皮用於宗教當中，他們將黑羚與月神聯繫在一起，月神曾因神宗電影而被人熟知。印度教徒聲稱無論他們走到何地，黑羚皮都會將榮耀帶到那處。儘管黑羚原產於中東，但後來也被引進南北美部分地區。1932年，黑羚第一次被引入德克薩斯州，直至今日，我們依舊能看到遍佈於灌木叢和草地上悠閒地吃草的黑羚們。

– 50 mph

6.獅子：時速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.

獅子是非洲大陸的頂級獵食者，人們早已熟知它的兇猛，對它的驚人速度卻知之甚少。獅子捕食各種動物，像斑馬、長頸鹿、牛羚、水牛和大象等等，奔跑起來最快時速可達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.

論體型，獅子是僅次於老虎的大型貓科動物，一隻雄獅體重可達500磅。近十幾年來人類的獵殺和開發土地，使得獅子數量大量減少，生存空間逐漸減少。儘管在諸多野生動物保護組織的努力下，非洲沙漠、熱帶大草原和森林裏的獅子數量有所增加，但大部分的獅子還是在國家公園或自然保護區內。獅子是羣居型動物，通常結羣捕食獵物。雌獅常承擔捕食任務，而雄獅負責保衛獅羣免受其他動物攻擊。獅子很善於跟蹤獵物，趁其不備突擊殺死獵物。有時在捕食大型動物時，如大象，獅子也會受到獵物的反攻，甚至被獵物殺死。由於生存的地理區域不同，獅子可分爲五種。大部分生活在非洲的南部和東部。幾百年前，在北非、亞洲和歐洲都曾有獅子的足跡，但今天這些地區的獅子都已經消失。獅子可以在很不同自然環境中生存，無論是熱帶草原還是高山。雖然獅子可以在乾旱的環境中生存，但迄今爲止，沙漠和雨林還沒有發現獅子的蹤跡。

審校:假微信 編輯:旭旭 來源:前十網