What if we told you that a flying animal you’ve probably never heard of is capable of tops of 160 km/h? Neither a bird nor a land animal, it is often invisible at night and it holds the title of the fastest mammal in the animal kingdom.
When we talk about speed in the animal kingdom, one name is often immediately obvious: that of the cheetah. A true rocket ship of the African savannahs, this agile and elegant predator can reach speeds of 110 km/h in a flash. And in the air, the peregrine falcon’s dive makes it the fastest diving animal in the world, capable of approaching 400 km/h!
But there is a lesser known animal, which nevertheless holds an impressive title: that of the fastest mammal on the Planet. This animal is the Brazilian mastiff, Tadarida brasiliensisa small American bat.
Unrivaled horizontal speed
The Brazilian mastiff is a bat of modest size, measuring between 10 and 12 centimeters and weighing just 13 grams. It is found on the American continent, from Central America to the southern United States.
A 2016 study published in the journal Royal Society Open Scienceled by the University of Tennessee and the Max Planck InstituteMax Planck, discovered that the Brazilian mastiff is capable of flying at a horizontal speed of 160 km/h. To put this into perspective, swifts and peregrine falcons, known for their speed, reach speeds of 110 km/h in horizontal flight.
To measure this speed, the researchers equipped the bats with radio transmitters, attached with surgical glue. These devices make it possible to precisely follow their trajectories and measure their speed.
The secrets of their speed
What allows this small mammal to defy the laws of physics and run at such speed? It all lies in its morphologymorphology. With an ultra-aerodynamic body and exceptionally long wings for its size, the mastiff is a true model of flight performance.
But every scientific discovery has its detractors. Some researchers, such as the Swedish Anders Hedenström, have suggested that external factors could have influenced the results. However, the authors of the study defended the robustness of their results by insisting on the constancy of the weather conditions during the observations. “ External factors such as terrain and tailwinds cannot explain these results, as they had no impact on maximum speeds », said Dina Dechmann, of the Max Planck Institute.
As further evidence, the study’s lead author, Gary McCracken, one of the world’s leading bat experts, said Wired that « when they have a headwind, they fly faster. When they have a tailwind, they are slowed down ».
Ultimately, if the cheetah remains undoubtedly the fastest land animal, this small winged mammal, the fastest in the world, is a speed champion who well deserves its place among the most fascinating animals on our Planet .
The Bat-tastic Speedster: Meet the Brazilian Mastiff
Now, hold onto your hats and glasses, folks, because this is going to be quite the ride! What if I told you there’s a flying animal capable of reaching jaw-dropping speeds of 160 km/h? And here’s the kicker: it’s not a bird, nor is it a traditional land mammal—it’s a small, often unseen creature fluttering around our heads at night. Yes, you guessed it right; it’s none other than the Brazilian mastiff, a bat that puts your average speedster to shame! It’s like the superhero of the night sky, but without the cape. Where do they get off?
Unrivaled Horizontal Speed
When you think speed, most of us immediately pounce on the cheetah. You know, that sleek cat who would turn heads on the African savannah while making the rest of us look like we’re stuck in slow motion? Cheetahs can hit a staggering 110 km/h, which makes them fabulous and all, but wait—there’s more! The Brazilian mastiff, also known as Tadarida brasiliensis, simply laughs in the face of the cheetah’s speed as it zooms through the air at a whopping 160 km/h!
This pint-sized mammal, measuring just 10 to 12 centimeters and weighing a mere 13 grams, resides all over the American continent from Central America to the southern United States. You’d nearly miss them at a cocktail party! They’re the sneaky little party crashers in the animal kingdom.
The Secrets of Their Speed
So how does this tiny drama queen achieve speeds that would leave even Usain Bolt green with envy? It’s all in the wings, darling! The Brazilian mastiff flaunts an ultra-aerodynamic body and exceptionally long wings for its petite frame. They’ve basically been working out like the Avengers and have created a flight machine out of themselves. Who knew that bats were the bodybuilders of the sky?
In a 2016 study published in the esteemed Royal Society Open Science, researchers at the University of Tennessee teamed up with the Max Planck Institute to get to the bottom of this mystical speed. They attached radio transmitters (not just any sticky tape job, mind you) onto these bats to track their speeds more precisely than your parents could track your whereabouts as a teenager!
Now, there’s always a debunker in the mix. Swedish researcher Anders Hedenström suggested that weather conditions and other external factors could’ve played a role in these flight speeds—perhaps a friendly tailwind or a little more bounce in their step. But fear not! The study’s authors insist that the math is rock solid: “External factors such as terrain and tailwinds cannot explain these results,” pointed out Dina Dechmann from Max Planck. Oh, snap! And Gary McCracken, the head honcho bat expert (seriously, that’s a cool title), chimed in saying, “When they have a headwind, they fly faster. When they have a tailwind, they are slowed down.” There you have it, folks! Science in action.
In conclusion, if you’re hosting a trivia night and someone asks for the fastest mammal, don’t go shouting “cheetah!” off the rooftops. Instead, share the love for the Brazilian mastiff and its legendary top speeds. Just remember, it’s not about how fast you run; it’s how fast you fly, with a dash of style to boot. Now, let’s raise a toast to the flying speedsters who remind us that the world is full of surprises—especially when they’re flying under the radar!
Imagine discovering a remarkable flying creature, often overlooked in discussions of speed, that can achieve astonishing flight speeds of up to 160 km/h. This fascinating animal is neither a traditional bird nor a terrestrial mammal, evading detection under the cover of night while proudly holding the title of the fastest mammal in the animal kingdom.
When speed in the animal kingdom comes to mind, the name that instantly stands out is that of the cheetah. Renowned as the rocket of the African savannahs, this sleek and nimble predator boasts the ability to sprint at an exhilarating 110 km/h in the blink of an eye. On the other hand, the peregrine falcon, famed for its breathtaking dives, takes to the skies with speeds reaching nearly 400 km/h, securing its status as the fastest diving creature on the planet!
However, among these well-celebrated speedsters lies a lesser-known contender with an equally impressive title: the Brazilian mastiff, known scientifically as Tadarida brasiliensis, a small bat species native to the Americas.
Unrivaled horizontal speed
The Brazilian mastiff is a petite bat, measuring a mere 10 to 12 centimeters in length and weighing just 13 grams. Its habitat spans vast regions of the American continent, thriving from Central America to the southern United States.
A groundbreaking study published in 2016 in the journal Royal Society Open Science, conducted by researchers from the University of Tennessee and the Max Planck Institute, revealed that this extraordinary bat can maneuver through the sky at a remarkable horizontal speed of 160 km/h. For context, the renowned swifts and peregrine falcons, famous for their rapid flight, can achieve speeds of up to 110 km/h during horizontal excursions.
To accurately gauge the bats’ speed, the diligent researchers utilized radio transmitters, affixed securely to the bats with surgical glue. This innovative technology allowed for precise tracking of the bats’ flight paths and speed measurements.
The secrets of their speed
The secret behind this diminutive mammal’s ability to conquer the skies at such phenomenal speeds lies within its unique morphology. Featuring an ultra-aerodynamic body paired with extraordinarily long wings relative to its size, the Brazilian mastiff epitomizes flight efficiency and performance.
However, in the realm of scientific inquiry, skepticism often arises. Some researchers, including Swedish scientist Anders Hedenström, have proposed that various external factors might have skewed the study results. In response, the authors of the study staunchly defended the integrity of their findings, emphasizing that weather conditions remained consistent throughout all observations. “External factors such as terrain and tailwinds cannot explain these results, as they had no impact on maximum speeds,” asserted Dina Dechmann from the Max Planck Institute.
Adding further credence to the study’s outcomes, Gary McCracken, the lead author and a prominent figure in bat research, shared with Wired that “when they have a headwind, they fly faster. When they have a tailwind, they are slowed down.”
In conclusion, while the cheetah retains its crown as the swiftest land animal, this remarkable little winged mammal, holding the title of the fastest in the air, is an undeniable champion of speed and truly deserves its recognition among the most extraordinary creatures inhabiting our Planet.
Ccurately measure this astonishing speed, researchers equipped the Brazilian mastiffs with radio transmitters—carefully attached with surgical glue—to track their flight patterns and record their velocities with precision. This innovative approach allowed scientists to monitor the bats in their natural habitats, revealing the secrets behind their staggering abilities.
The Secrets of Their Speed
So, what gives the Brazilian mastiff its remarkable swiftness? It all boils down to its unique morphology. This small bat possesses an ultra-aerodynamic body and proportionately long wings, which, combined, make for an exceptional flying machine. Think of them as the Formula 1 cars of the bat world; all speed, agility, and finely tuned performance!
However, when new findings emerge, skepticism often follows. Some researchers, like Swedish expert Anders Hedenström, have raised concerns about external factors potentially skewing the results—suggesting terrain and wind conditions could influence measured speeds. Nevertheless, the authors of the study are adamant about the rigor of their research, emphasizing that consistent weather conditions were maintained during their observations. As Dina Dechmann from the Max Planck Institute noted, “External factors such as terrain and tailwinds cannot explain these results as they had no impact on maximum speeds.”
Further supporting their findings, Gary McCracken, one of the leading researchers in bat studies, provided insight on how these creatures operate in different weather situations: “When they have a headwind, they fly faster. When they have a tailwind, they are slowed down.” So there you have it—science transcends debate and gives us a clearer understanding of this bat’s astonishing capabilities.
In closing, while the cheetah may reign as the fastest land animal, let’s not forget to tip our hats to the Brazilian mastiff. This diminutive creature has rightfully earned its title as the fastest mammal—one that elegantly defies expectations and delights us with its hidden prowess. So the next time you ponder about speed in the animal kingdom, remember the Brazilian mastiff soaring through the night; it’s a tiny marvel that showcases the wonders of evolution and adaptation, making it a true champion in the skies.