As we all know, the planet is made up of land and water, the latter comprising more than 70% of its total composition. Marine life represents a world apart and mysterious to most people. However, for a long time, research carried out by various scientists has shown the wonderful qualities of animals that make life under the enormous blue mantle.
We know that there are animals that are faster than others but this time we will focus on revealing which is the fastest animal in the sea in this top 10. Do you know any of these animals?
10. Killer whale
The orca (Orcinus orca) is one of the aquatic mammals that inhabits all the planet's oceans. It has a stocky build and hydrodynamic and a dorsal fin that can measure up to 1.8 meters.
It is one of the largest mammals in the world and as such has the need to breathe the air from the surface of the ocean, since it cannot do it underwater like other fish. Travel in groups of up to 40 individuals.
The killer whale swims very fast, reaching up to 55 kilometers per hour.
9. Tarpon
The tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a fish more than 2 metersthat swims in areas close to the coast of the Caribbean Sea and to the east of the Pacific Ocean. As for its appearance, its back is navy blue and the sides are silver, in addition, it has a caudal fin that separates and a long dorsal fin. Their diet includes a large number of fish and crustaceans.
The tarpon is capable of swimming at 56 kilometers per hour.
8. Flying fish
The flying fish (Cheilopogon melanurus), like the killer whale, is an animal found in all the planet's oceans. It is characterized by its pectoral fins, which allow it to get out of the water and fly over the air for a short time. These fish do not measure more than 30 centimeters.
In the air, the flying fish reaches a speed between 50 and 60 kilometers per hour,this is because it can move its flaps up to 50 times per second.
7. Red tuna
The bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is a fish that inhabits the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It tolerates various changes in temperature, as it has the ability to dive up to 900 meters. It reaches three meters in length and weighs at least 600 kilos.
In terms of speed, bluefin tuna reaches 65 kilometers per hour.
6 Blue Shark
The blue shark (Prionace glauca) is an animal characterized by its slender body, elongated and rounded, in addition, it has two elongated and pointed dorsal fins, its snout is cone-shaped, and its eyes are large, black and round.
The blue shark feeds on small fish and crustaceans, although it can also consume algae. It lives in tropical and temperate waters and in oceanic areas, where it is capable of submerging to a depth of 350 metres.
On its speed, the blue shark reaches up to 70 kilometers per hour.
5. Golden
The dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) is a marine fish that is found in all the world's oceans, where it inhabits both tropical waters as subtropical, at 5 and 10 meters deep. Their diet is based on the intake of various fish and zooplankton, as well as crustaceans and squid.
The dorado's body is long and thin, allowing it to reach impressive speeds of 93 kilometers per hour.
4. Overalls
The peto, also called golfina saw (Acanthocybium solandri), is a specimen found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, in addition to the Caribbean Sea and the Mediterranean. Its shape is long and thin, its head is pointed and it has a bright blue color on its back. It feeds on all kinds of open water prey such as sardines, anchovies, crustaceans and squid.
This fish is also very fast, reaching 97 kilometers per hour.
3. Marlin
The marlin (Tetrapturus albidus) is a fish similar to the sailfish, but differs in that it has a smaller dorsal fin. It has a slender body with prolonged nosebones in the shape of a sword and weighs up to 600 kilos. The species inhabits the temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Marlin is a very fast animal, reaching 105 kilometers per hour.
two. Sailfish
The sailfish (Istiophorus albicans) is the fastest fish in the world, as they reach 110 kilometers per hour thanks to their aerodynamic and muscular body composition. It also features a stiff tail that allows it to effectively propel itself forward, a sail-shaped dorsal fin that helps it cut through the water in a similar way like boats do, thanks to which it travels 30 meters per second.
In addition to this, the sailfish measures up to 3 meters long and weighs more than 100 kilos, it is a true monster of the ocean.
1. Mako shark
The mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) is the fastest aquatic animal in the world. It can be found in the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Mediterranean and Red Seas. It is a very active animal that reaches 124 kilometers per hour.
The "secret" of this shark lies in its hydrodynamics and its great muscular power, which even allows it to jump over 6 meters out of the water.
What is the slowest aquatic animal in the world?
Now that you know the fastest aquatic animal in the world, aren't you interested in meeting the slowest? Although there are very slow species due to their anatomical characteristics, there is one that takes the title as the slowest aquatic animal in the world, and it is the loggerhead turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a solitary species that can weigh up to 100 kilos. Its shell is brown and its back is yellowish or cream. Although there are many other species of turtles that are significantly faster, the loggerhead turtle has an average speed of 0.040 kilometers per hour,so its impressive slowness makes it an easy prey for hunters, which is why it is in danger of extinction.
Is the dolphin or the shark faster?
Much has been said about the ferocity of the shark against the intelligence of the dolphin, since there are testimonies where the adorable and gentle dolphins have emerged victorious when facing the feared shark. However, when it comes to speed, there are several elements that you must take into account.
The main thing is to define the species, because as you already know, the mako shark is the fastest animal in the water worldwide. No matter who he faces, he will come out on top with his 124 kilometers per hour. On the other hand, the average dolphin reaches a maximum of 60 kilometers, so it has a big disadvantage.
Despite this, there are other sharks, such as the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), which is the slowest shark in the oceans The species reaches a maximum speed of 0.50 meters per second, so in this case, the dolphin would win a comfortable victory.
As you can see, it all depends on the species, so either of them could be the winner.
