Millions of years ago, it was the rule of the dinosaurs on the Earth. All shapes and sizes had to be seen with this amazing assortment of adaptations needed to survive this unforgiving environment: predation and prey. Some especially were defined by their need for the speed of life to survive. Some would run away and others to pursue prey, among all these small agile hunters to the large swift-footed herbivores: they employed this tool.
We are exploring the top 10 of the fastest dinosaurs to walk our earth. Thanks to fossilized footprints, as well as skeletal analyses, scientists have been able to estimate the running velocities of various dinosaur species-to get a glimpse into their life and survival. Stand ready to meet the fastest of the dinosaurs!
Understanding Dinosaur Speed
How fast were these dinosaurs able to run is quite difficult to guess; it would require lots of indirect means of finding a scientific basis for an accurate speed measurement. There can be no living dinosaur species for any of the modern-day scientists to check with. To know their strides and, by proxy, their speeds, the study of fossilized footprints and skeletal structures may tell them the story of movement among those ancient beings. The preserved footprints left in sequence show their strides in action.
Another way is by showing an interest in the anatomical structure of the limbs of dinosaurs, mainly the legs and the hips. Based on the anatomy of those skeletal features, the best runner among the dinosaurs may be inferred. For instance, long legs with proper joints are usually present in quicker animals, and chubbier bones denote lesser speed and perhaps more about robustness or stability.
In such calculations, biomechanics also plays a great role. It makes use of physics to model the movement of particular dinosaurs based on their body structure and estimated muscle mass. Advanced simulations by scientists help them make educated guesses about how fast each dinosaur could run. Such research helps us understand how much speed played a role in their survival, be it for hunting, evading predators, or roaming vast territories.
Top 10 Fastest Dinosaurs
1. Ornithomimus
Ornithomimus. Undeniably, it was the fastest runner of dinosaurs. Its running speed is estimated at 40 to 50 mph. Its look is that close to the modern ostrich. Long legs, light body, and a long neck give this impression. Its origin dates back to the late Cretaceous period in North America, which made it an apt sprinter on open plains. It was most probably an animal evading predators and seeking food.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 40-50 mph |
| Physical Description | Resembled an ostrich with long legs, a lightweight body, and a long neck. It had long arms and a slender build, which contributed to its agility. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Cretaceous, North America |
| Reason for Speed | Agile runner, likely used speed to evade predators and forage for food in open plains. |
2. Gallimimus
Another fast-running dinosaur is Gallimimus, and it was calculated to have a running speed of between 35 to 40 mph. It was a large-bodied dinosaur with long legs and had a neck that was very thin and beak-like mouth. The time when this dinosaur existed was in the Late Cretaceous in Mongolia. This dinosaur ran its impressive speed for fleeing and hunting small prey.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 35-40 mph |
| Physical Description | Large-bodied with long legs, a slender neck, and a beak-like mouth adapted for foraging. It had long arms and a lightweight frame. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Cretaceous, Mongolia |
| Reason for Speed | Speed helped it escape predators and catch small prey while foraging in groups. |
3. Velociraptor
Velociraptor was a relatively small, agile dinosaur that was approximately 25 mph fast. Noted by its sickle-shaped claw and feathered body, the existence of this dinosaur took place during the Late Cretaceous period in Mongolia. These creatures probably hunted as packs did and used their speed, coupled with their intelligence, to pursue and capture prey.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 25 mph |
| Physical Description | Small and agile with a feathered body, a long tail, and a sickle-shaped claw on each foot. It had sharp teeth and a lightweight build. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Cretaceous, Mongolia |
| Reason for Speed | Quick and cunning predator, likely used speed and intelligence to hunt in packs and catch smaller prey. |
4. Dromiceiomimus
Dromiceiomimus was almost indistinguishable from Ornithomimus and could run up to about 40 miles per hour. The slim dinosaur had long legs, making it fast-moving and speedy. It was alive during the Late Cretaceous period in North America, where it most likely fed on insects and other small animals, hunting quickly before fleeing from predators.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 40 mph |
| Physical Description | Similar to Ornithomimus with long legs and a lightweight body, adapted for high-speed running. It had long arms and was built for agility. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Cretaceous, North America |
| Reason for Speed | Fast runner, likely preyed on insects and small animals, using speed to escape threats. |
5. Struthiomimus
This creature could run at speeds from 30 to 35 mph. It is one of the large ostrich-like dinosaurs with long limbs and a long neck that explains its speed. It existed during the Late Cretaceous period in North America. It used its agility to evade predators and forage in open areas.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 30-35 mph |
| Physical Description | Large and ostrich-like, with long limbs, a long neck, and a lightweight body. It had a beak-like mouth for foraging. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Cretaceous, North America |
| Reason for Speed | Used speed for both evasion from predators and foraging for food in open environments. |
6. Deinonychus
Deinonychus was a fast-moving predator that could run at around 30 mph. The dinosaur had a large skull, sharp teeth, and a retractable claw on its feet. It was during the Early Cretaceous period in North America. This dinosaur probably chased down its prey using speed, and it was quite effective in hunting.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 30 mph |
| Physical Description | Agile predator with a large skull, sharp teeth, and a distinctive retractable claw on each foot. It had a robust yet lightweight frame. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Early Cretaceous, North America |
| Reason for Speed | Quick and lethal, likely relied on speed to chase down smaller prey effectively. |
7. Troodon
Troodon is one of the small, clever, and fast dinosaurs that ran about 30 miles per hour. This species, with its larger brain relative to its body size, having sharp teeth and elongated limbs, belongs to North American fauna of the Late Cretaceous. Its swiftness and agility likely made it a good hunting animal, and it could easily outrun large predators.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 30 mph |
| Physical Description | Small dinosaur with a large brain relative to body size, sharp teeth, and elongated limbs. It was likely covered in feathers. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Cretaceous, North America |
| Reason for Speed | Fast and intelligent, likely used speed for hunting smaller animals or escaping larger predators. |
8. Pelecanimimus
Pelecanimimus was a small and lightweight dinosaur that could run at a speed of about 25 mph. It has many small teeth and almost beak-like mouth, so it is perfect for capturing fish and small animals. This dinosaur lived in the Early Cretaceous, Spain, and used its speed to move around the coastal environments effectively.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 25 mph |
| Physical Description | Small, lightweight dinosaur with numerous small teeth and a beak-like mouth, adapted for catching fish. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Early Cretaceous, Spain |
| Reason for Speed | Speed helped it catch fish and small animals along shorelines and in coastal environments. |
9. Compsognathus
The small Compsognathus could run at a speed of about 40 mph. It had a slender body, a long tail, and an agile limb, making it look like a chicken. It lived in Europe during the Late Jurassic period, probably chasing insects and small vertebrates with its speed.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 40 mph |
| Physical Description | Small and nimble with a slender body, long tail, and agile limbs, resembling a modern chicken. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Jurassic, Europe |
| Reason for Speed | Quick runner, likely hunted insects and small vertebrates, utilizing speed to chase down prey. |
10. Coelophysis
This was a very lean dinosaur, ranging in estimated speeds between 25 to 30 mph. Coelophysis had long, thin legs and was built light, making this a rather agile runner. Living in North America during the Late Triassic, it probably used such speed both to hunt down small animals and escape the bigger hunters.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Speed | 25-30 mph |
| Physical Description | Slender body with long legs, a long neck, and a lightweight build, adapted for speed. |
| Habitat & Time Period | Late Triassic, North America |
| Reason for Speed | Fast and agile, used speed to hunt small animals and escape larger predators effectively. |
Conclusion
The reason why one has to mention size and build and their ecological roles to compare the speed of dinosaurs with that of modern animals is because it is the very reasons that made Ornithomimus and Gallimimus true speedsters among dinosaurs, both were about as fast as some of the fastest running birds in existence today, such as ostriches, which can cover 45 mph, long legs allowed them to make long sweeping strides and a lean body allowed them to cross the open spaces like an ostrich uses the same to outrun any predators.
Therefore, dinosaurs like Velociraptor and Deinonychus can be compared with modern predators such as cheetahs. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals today, accelerating to 70 mph in short bursts. The hunting strategy of these small dinosaurs would have been quick movements and coordinated efforts in packs, much like modern big cats. Their adaptations for speed and hunting show evolutionary parallels across vastly different eras.
In addition, the slim and agile Compsognathus is similar to the birds and small mammals of today, which survive by their speed and agility in hunting insects and dodging predators. Similar to Compsognathus, using its speed to hunt its smaller prey, many of the small mammals of today use their quickness in navigating dense vegetation and fleeing threats.
Of course, although the contexts of their environments are different, there are common fundamental adaptations between ancient dinosaurs and modern animals for speed and agility.
Faq’s
Which dinosaur is considered the fastest?
Ornithomimus is often regarded as the fastest dinosaur, with estimated speeds of up to 40-50 mph, making it comparable to modern ostriches.
How do the speeds of dinosaurs compare to modern animals?
Many fast dinosaurs, such as Ornithomimus and Gallimimus, reached speeds similar to those of modern birds like ostriches. Smaller predatory dinosaurs, like Velociraptor, had agility akin to that of contemporary predators such as cheetahs, which are the fastest land animals today.
What adaptations allowed dinosaurs to run fast?
Fast dinosaurs typically had long legs, lightweight bodies, and specialized limb structures that facilitated speed and agility. These adaptations were crucial for evading predators and catching prey in their environments.
Were there any dinosaurs that relied on speed for hunting?
Yes, several dinosaurs, including Velociraptor and Deinonychus, were agile hunters that used their speed to chase down smaller prey. They likely employed pack strategies to increase their hunting efficiency, much like modern predatory animals.
Did all dinosaurs run fast?
No, not all dinosaurs were built for speed. While many theropods (like the ones mentioned) had adaptations for quick movement, larger dinosaurs like sauropods were slower and relied on their size for protection against predators.
Can we accurately estimate the speeds of dinosaurs?
While direct measurement is impossible, scientists estimate dinosaur speeds through fossilized footprints, skeletal analysis, and biomechanical modeling. These methods provide insights into how fast these ancient creatures could move.
How do modern animals’ speeds compare to those of the fastest dinosaurs?
Modern animals like cheetahs (up to 70 mph) and ostriches (up to 45 mph) can exceed the speeds of many dinosaurs. However, some dinosaurs had specialized adaptations that allowed them to be exceptionally fast within their ecological niches.
Did speed play a significant role in the survival of dinosaurs?
Yes, speed was crucial for many dinosaurs in terms of escaping predators, hunting prey, and navigating their environments. It often determined their ability to survive in a world filled with various threats.
Are there any other animals today that resemble fast dinosaurs?
Several modern animals share similarities with fast dinosaurs in terms of body structure and ecological roles. For instance, the speed and agility of small mammals, birds, and even some reptiles reflect adaptations that parallel those of certain fast dinosaurs.
What can we learn from studying the speeds of dinosaurs?
Studying the speeds and adaptations of dinosaurs helps scientists understand their behavior, ecology, and evolutionary pathways. It also sheds light on the dynamic interactions between prehistoric animals and their environments, contributing to our overall knowledge of biological evolution.
References
Here are some references that provide additional information about the fastest dinosaurs and their comparisons to modern animals:
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/fastest-dinosaurs
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-fastest-dinosaurs-180973486/
- https://www.livescience.com/63037-fastest-dinosaurs.html
- https://science.howstuffworks.com/dinosaur-speed.htm
- https://www.amnh.org/research/paleontology/the-dinosaur-fast-lane
- http://www.paleoportal.org/articles/running-with-dinosaurs
- https://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151210-how-fast-could-dinosaurs-run
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/dinosaur
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0895981121000323
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0048917
