Discover the Fastest Animals in Georgia

The state of Georgia is home to an abundant variety of animals due to its varied landscape. With its beautiful and diverse rivers, mountains, and forests, Georgia is an ideal home for animals, many of which are incredibly fast. In fact, the fastest of these animals can reach speeds of an incredible 242 miles per hour!

These speedy animals are fascinating to learn about and observe. From land dwellers to sky soarers, these animals’ breathtaking speeds set them apart.

7. White-Tailed Deer – 30 mph

White-tailed deer are one of the most widespread large mammals in Georgia. They are an important game species in the state and are also valued for helping to shape the local ecosystem. They are native to North America, Central America, and South America. Their speed and agility are used to evade predators. They can sprint up to 30 miles per hour, leap 10 feet off the ground, and jump 30 feet across!

The white-tailed deer vary greatly in size, but the males generally weigh from 150 to 300 lbs. The coat is reddish-brown in the warmer months and turns to gray, brown as temperatures drop. As their name suggests, the underside of their tail is white. They raise it to warn other deer of approaching predators.

These herbivores generally eat legumes, shoots, leaves, cacti, grasses, fruit, acorns, and corn. They eat large amounts, and their diet generally varies by season and what is available at the time. Natural predators include agile hunters like wolves, cougars, and jaguars. However, the white-tailed deer can evade them thanks to their speed. Because the population of white-tailed deer is around 1.27 million, the chances of spotting them are high.

6. Bobcat – 30 mph

Bobcats are a medium-sized wildcat species. These animals are fast and agile hunters and can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. They can make quick turns and jumps and are known for their stealth and ability to move silently.

Bobcats are usually about twice the size of a regular household cat. Adult males weigh up to 30 pounds and females weigh slightly less. They have a distinctive spotted coat with a short “bobbed” tail, from which they get their name. Other distinguishing features are tufted ears and long and powerful legs built for hunting.

Bobcats inhabit a variety of places, specifically forest areas, swamps, and grasslands with large open spaces. Their diet is carnivorous and consists of small mammals like rabbits and rodents. They will occasionally eat birds, lizards, or even frogs. Bobcats are solitary hunters and use their sharp vision and hearing to catch their food.

Being such elusive and solitary animals, they are often difficult to observe, so estimating a population count is tricky. However, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources estimates that there are currently between 20,000 and 50,000 bobcats in the state. Their population is thought to be healthy and stable. They are often considered to be a vital and valuable part of the Georgian ecosystem.

5. American Black Bear – 30 mph

The American black bear is endemic to North America and is the continent’s smallest and most widely distributed bear species. These omnivores typically live in large, forested areas but can be attracted to cities due to the availability of food. Although they are not well-known for their speed, these bears are fast! They are capable of speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, on par with white-tailed deer and bobcats. They are also quite agile and can climb trees and navigate rough terrain.

Although weights differ according to the seasons, the average weight of adult males is around 190 pounds. The average weight of adult females is around 128 pounds. As their name indicates, black bears are generally black, although some may develop a white patch on the chest. However, there is a lot of color variation, and some can be brown.

The American black bear’s diet consists largely of insects. These insects include bees, yellow jackets, and ants. Not surprisingly, the American black bear loves honey and will eat it regardless of bee stings. The conservation status of this creature is Least Concern. These majestic creatures can be found abundantly throughout North America. In Georgia, there is a healthy population of around 5,100 American black bears.

4. Gray Fox – 40 mph

The gray fox is native to Georgia and much of the United States. It is one of only two species of foxes that can climb trees! Gray foxes are quite agility and can reach a top speed of 40 miles per hour. However, their endurance is not great; they can only hold these speeds for short bursts.

The gray fox is medium-sized, weighing anywhere between seven and 15 pounds. It measures between 32 and 45 inches long, including its tail. It has a distinctive mixed-color coat with grays and reddish browns, and its face has a recognizable black stripe that runs from its eyes to its nose.

The gray fox is an omnivore and feeds on both plants and other animals. In the wild, its diet changes depending on what is available throughout the year. They are highly skilled predators and usually eat small mammals like rabbits, rodents, and squirrels. They also feast on berries, fruits, and nuts. The gray fox’s adaptability in diet makes it a very successful species.

While their population is difficult to estimate due to their nocturnal behavior, gray foxes are relatively common and widespread. They are not currently threatened or endangered in Georgia.

3. Eastern Coyote – 43 mph

The eastern coyote is a wild canid that inhabits North America, including Georgia. It is also known as the northeastern coyote or coywolf, as it is thought to be a hybrid of the western coyote and the eastern wolf. These coyotes can run at speeds of up to 43 miles per hour over a short distance. However, their average running speed is usually a bit lower, and they typically move at a trot while searching for food or traveling.

Eastern coyotes have a lean and agile build with a thick brown, black, and gray coat and a bushy tail that hangs low to the ground. These coyotes also have a long and narrow snout, pointy ears, and a prominent brow ridge. The males weigh between 35 and 45 pounds and the females between 30 and 40 pounds, making them larger than their western counterparts.

The eastern coyote’s preferred habitat ranges from rural to suburban and even urban areas. They prefer a mix of open fields, forest areas, and places with water, which provide a perfect environment for their prey. The eastern coyote is an opportunistic predator and has a diet that depends on what is available. It can include rabbits, birds, deer, and even insects or fruit! They are highly adaptable animals and can thrive in a wide range of environments.

The population of the eastern coyote is very difficult to estimate, but according to one study conducted in the mid-2000s, it was predicted that there were between 10,000 and 20,000 of them in the state of Georgia. Based on sightings and encounters with the eastern coyote since then, they are continuing to become more common throughout the state. The eastern coyote is most active at dawn and dusk, being a nocturnal animal, but may also be occasionally active during the daytime too.

2. Black-Tailed Jackrabbit – 45 mph

The black-tailed jackrabbit, also known as the American desert hare, is commonly found in the United States and Mexico. These creatures are fast, as they run from danger in zigzag patterns at up to 45 miles per hour. Due to this incredible speed, most predators can’t keep up with the black-tailed jackrabbits! However, the hare does not have the stamina to keep this speed up for long periods, so predators can take advantage fading stamina.

The black-tailed jackrabbit has long ears and powerful rear legs. They can reach a length of around 2 feet and weigh from three to six pounds. This species of jackrabbit is the third largest in North America, trailing behind the antelope jackrabbit and the white-tailed jackrabbit. As its name suggests, the animal has a black stripe along the top of its tail. These animals can also be identified by their black-tipped ears.

The diet of the black-tailed jackrabbit includes shrubs, small trees, and grasses. This rabbit is an important prey species for many carnivorous mammals, such as hawks and coyotes. But even though they have many predators, the black-tailed jackrabbit can often use its speed to evade them.

The conservation status of the black-tailed jackrabbit is Least Concern, so you are sure to see these creatures in their natural habitat.

1. Peregrine Falcon – 242 mph

The peregrine falcon takes the number one spot for the fastest animal in Georgia. This amazing bird is capable of reaching astonishing speeds of up to 242 miles per hour! Their incredible speed is reached during their famous hunting stoop. Not only is the peregrine falcon the fastest animal in Georgia, but it is actually the fastest animal in the world!

The peregrine falcon is around 13 to 23 inches long, and it has a wingspan of 29 to 47 inches. The back and the pointed wings are bluish black to slate grey, and their wingtips are black. The chest and abdomen are white with thin dark brown or black bands. The cheeks of the bird, beak, and claws are black, while the feet are yellow. The peregrine falcon is sexually dimorphic, with females capable of being 50% larger than males.

Peregrine falcons are found all over the world but mostly live along mountain ranges, river valleys, coastlines, and even in cities. Their diet consists mostly of medium-sized birds. However, they will also hunt small mammals, small reptiles, and insects. The peregrine falcon’s conservation status is marked as Least Concern, and as of 2021, there are an estimated 14 breeding pairs in Georgia. These birds are quite abundant in the state, so you may spot these amazing birds.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/zhuclear