Page 38 - The Miracle of Migration in Animals

THE MIRACLE OF MIGRATION IN ANIMALS

straight-line distance of about 15,000 kilometers (9,321 miles). The
complete migratory round trip is almost 40,000 kilometers (24,856

miles), equivalent to the circumference of the Earth. 5
Their flying skills and the reduced friction in the air they
move through make birds the swiftest moving creatures on the
planet. The speed of the cheetah, the fastest animal on the
ground over short distances, cannot exceed 80 kilometers
(50 miles) an hour. The fastest fish in the sea, the sail-
fish, can reach 105 kilometers (65 miles) an hour over
short distances. But spine-tailed swifts can fly at a
speed of up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) an hour. 6

160 kilometers (100 miles) an hour

80 kilometers (50 miles) an hour

105 kilometers (65 miles) an hour

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