What’s the fastest land mammal in the Americas? Meet the speed demon that could outrun a cheetah in a long-distance race

The Americas, which encompasses North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, has a huge variety of landscapes – and therefore animals.

From imposing mountains to desert plains and tropical beaches, these habitats provide a home for all sorts of creatures.

But have you ever wondered what the fastest land mammal in the Americas is?

What’s the fastest land mammal in the Americas?

The fastest terrestrial mammal found in the Americas is the pronghorn. While it’s commonly called an American antelope, its closest living relatives are the giraffe and okapi.

It’s the only surviving member of the Antilocapridae family, which are a family of ruminants endemic to North America. They are commonly found in western North America, ranging from Alberta (in Canada) and into Mexico.

The pronghorn can reach speeds up to 55 mph (88.5 kmph). It’s thought to have evolved a larger cardiopulmonary system in order to reach these speeds to evade the now-extinct North American cheetah and American lion.

While it’s thought that the cheetah could outpace a pronghorn in a short sprint, pronghorns are built for endurance running, so could outrun a cheetah in stretches of over 800 metres.

This article by Sophie Ellis was first published by Discover Wildlife on 5 April 2026. Lead Image: Scott Suriano/Getty Images.