The fastest land animal is the cheetah. Capable of reaching speeds up to 60-70 miles per hour (97-113 kilometers per hour) in short bursts covering distances of around 500 meters, the cheetah is perfectly adapted for speed. Its slender body, long legs, and unique respiratory system support these incredible speeds, which are primarily used to catch prey like gazelles and rabbits. Although cheetahs are remarkable sprinters, they can only maintain their top speed for short durations before overheating. Their acceleration is impressive as well, allowing them to go from 0 to 60 mph in just a few seconds.