These talented and remarkable species would earn a spot on an Olympic podium, but sadly many of them are also under threat from a range of threats including habitat loss and destruction and overexploitation. As our climate changes, we know that all life on earth will be affected and some of our most treasured species will be in danger if we fail to limit global warming to 1.5\u00b0C.<\/p>\n
Which animal packs the fastest punch?<\/h2>\nWinner: peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Peacock\"]( "\\"\"Peacock\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Peacock mantis shrimp, also known as the harlequin mantis shrimp. New Britain, Papua New Guinea. \u00a9 J\u00fcrgen Freund\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nMantis shrimps are the fastest punchers in the animal kingdom, capable of moving their club-like front limbs at 80km\/hr to smash apart the shells of molluscs and other crustaceans. Though it grows no more than 18cm long and only weighs approximately 0.6kg, it punches with a force roughly 100 times that of its weight.<\/p>\n
Which animal can run the fastest?<\/h2>\nWinner: cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""A\"]( "\\"\"A\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> A running cheetah. \u00a9 Martin Harvey\/WWF<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThe cheetah is the fastest running animal in the world and can attain speeds of around 70 miles per hour (120km). Though a cheetah can accelerate from 0-68mph in just three seconds, most of their chases last less than a minute.<\/p>\n Learn more about cheetahs and other cats:<\/h4>\n- Is a cheetah born with spots?<\/a><\/li>\n
- How can a cheetah run so fast?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: Remembering Cheetahs<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: Cats of the World<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which bird can fly the fastest in a dive?<\/h2>\nWinner: peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""An\"]( "\\"\"An\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> An adult peregrine falcon. \u00a9 Sanchez & Lope\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nOne of the world\u2019s most widespread birds of prey, the peregrine falcon can dive at speeds of up to 200mph. They hunt their prey from above, before launching themselves into a downwards dive to reach their prey. The peregrine falcon can be found on every continent except Antarctica.<\/p>\n Learn more about peregrines and other birds of prey:<\/h4>\n- Gallery: Peregrine falcons nesting on a Chicago skyscraper<\/a><\/li>\n
- Long Read: How peregrines have adapted to urban living<\/a><\/li>\n
- Owls of the British Isles<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sparrowhawk guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which bird can dive the longest and deepest?<\/h2>\nWinner: emperor penguin<\/a> (Aptenodytes forsteri<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Emperor\"]( "\\"\"Emperor\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Emperor penguins diving, Ross Sea, Antarctica.\u00a0\u00a9 National Geographic Creative\/Paul Nicklen\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThe emperor penguin has the deepest and longest dive of any bird, often reaching depths of over 200 metres, and can stay submerged for up to 22 minutes. One female bird has been recorded at a depth of 565 metres!<\/p>\n
Emperor penguins are the tallest (1.2m in height) and heaviest (22-45kg) species of penguin, and are found in Antarctica.<\/p>\n
Though they thrive in the water, emperor penguins rely on the sea ice to breed, feed and rest, so climate change is possibly the biggest threat they face. The species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn more about penguins:\u00a0<\/h4>\n- Penguin guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: Penguin: A Story of Survival<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n
- Meet The Scientist interview: Analysing penguin poo for antibiotic-resistant bacteria<\/a><\/li>\n
- News (2020): Gentoo penguins should be split into four species, rather than two subspecies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which is the heaviest tree-dwelling mammal?<\/h2>\nWinner: orangutan<\/a> (Pongo<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Bornean\"]( "\\"\"Bornean\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Bornean orang-utan female \u2018Tata\u2019 and her unnamed baby aged 2-3 months, at Camp Leakey, Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. \u00a9 naturepl.com\/Fiona Rogers\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nOrangutans are the world\u2019s heaviest tree-dwelling mammal. Male orangutans are nearly a meter tall and weigh 60-85kg. Females are slightly shorter and weigh in at roughly half the amount of their male counterparts.<\/p>\n
Today, orangutans are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. In 2017, a new species of orangutan was described<\/a> by scientists; the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis<\/em>). All three species are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn more about orangutans:\u00a0<\/h4>\n- Orangutan guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: The Orangutan\u2019s World<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n
- Long Read: The people who believe that orangutans are family<\/a><\/li>\n
- Wildlife Champion interview: Michael Morpugo on why orangutans are special<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which species of cat has the most powerful bite?<\/h2>\nWinner: jaguar<\/a> (Panthera onca<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Jaguar\"]( "\\"\"Jaguar\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Jaguar in the Pantanal, Brazil. \u00a9 Staffan Widstrand\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nJaguars have the most powerful bite of any big cat<\/a>. Their teeth are strong enough to bite through the thick hides of crocodiles and the hard shells of river turtles. About 90% of these powerful predators are found in the Amazon rainforest. Sadly one of the main threats they face is deforestation and habitat loss, and the species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn more about jaguars and other big cats:\u00a0<\/h4>\n- Jaguar guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Big cat guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- News (2019): Jaguars under threat from palm oil expansion<\/a><\/li>\n
- News (2019): Victims of Amazon fires include 500 jaguars<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which mammal lives the longest?<\/h2>\nWinner: bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Bowhead\"]( "\\"\"Bowhead\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Bowhead whale just under ice, Arctic, \u00a9 naturepl.com\/Martha Holmes\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nBowhead whales are the longest living mammals on Earth, and can live for over 200 years. The species lives predominantly in Arctic waters and can break through sea ice up to 17.78cm thick in order to breathe. Though they can grow up to approximately 18 meters they are still able to leap entirely out of the water.<\/p>\n
The bowhead whale is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\""Peacock\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2021\/07\/WWF-Animal-Olympics-Mantis-Shrimp.-Jurgen-Freund-WWF-a105752.jpg?quality=90&resize=617%2C413"\" "\\"\"Peacock\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Mantis shrimps are the fastest punchers in the animal kingdom, capable of moving their club-like front limbs at 80km\/hr to smash apart the shells of molluscs and other crustaceans. Though it grows no more than 18cm long and only weighs approximately 0.6kg, it punches with a force roughly 100 times that of its weight.<\/p>\n
Which animal can run the fastest?<\/h2>\nWinner: cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""A\"]( "\\"\"A\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> A running cheetah. \u00a9 Martin Harvey\/WWF<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThe cheetah is the fastest running animal in the world and can attain speeds of around 70 miles per hour (120km). Though a cheetah can accelerate from 0-68mph in just three seconds, most of their chases last less than a minute.<\/p>\n Learn more about cheetahs and other cats:<\/h4>\n- Is a cheetah born with spots?<\/a><\/li>\n
- How can a cheetah run so fast?<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: Remembering Cheetahs<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: Cats of the World<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which bird can fly the fastest in a dive?<\/h2>\nWinner: peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""An\"]( "\\"\"An\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> An adult peregrine falcon. \u00a9 Sanchez & Lope\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nOne of the world\u2019s most widespread birds of prey, the peregrine falcon can dive at speeds of up to 200mph. They hunt their prey from above, before launching themselves into a downwards dive to reach their prey. The peregrine falcon can be found on every continent except Antarctica.<\/p>\n Learn more about peregrines and other birds of prey:<\/h4>\n- Gallery: Peregrine falcons nesting on a Chicago skyscraper<\/a><\/li>\n
- Long Read: How peregrines have adapted to urban living<\/a><\/li>\n
- Owls of the British Isles<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sparrowhawk guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which bird can dive the longest and deepest?<\/h2>\nWinner: emperor penguin<\/a> (Aptenodytes forsteri<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Emperor\"]( "\\"\"Emperor\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Emperor penguins diving, Ross Sea, Antarctica.\u00a0\u00a9 National Geographic Creative\/Paul Nicklen\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThe emperor penguin has the deepest and longest dive of any bird, often reaching depths of over 200 metres, and can stay submerged for up to 22 minutes. One female bird has been recorded at a depth of 565 metres!<\/p>\n
Emperor penguins are the tallest (1.2m in height) and heaviest (22-45kg) species of penguin, and are found in Antarctica.<\/p>\n
Though they thrive in the water, emperor penguins rely on the sea ice to breed, feed and rest, so climate change is possibly the biggest threat they face. The species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn more about penguins:\u00a0<\/h4>\n- Penguin guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: Penguin: A Story of Survival<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n
- Meet The Scientist interview: Analysing penguin poo for antibiotic-resistant bacteria<\/a><\/li>\n
- News (2020): Gentoo penguins should be split into four species, rather than two subspecies<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which is the heaviest tree-dwelling mammal?<\/h2>\nWinner: orangutan<\/a> (Pongo<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Bornean\"]( "\\"\"Bornean\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Bornean orang-utan female \u2018Tata\u2019 and her unnamed baby aged 2-3 months, at Camp Leakey, Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. \u00a9 naturepl.com\/Fiona Rogers\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nOrangutans are the world\u2019s heaviest tree-dwelling mammal. Male orangutans are nearly a meter tall and weigh 60-85kg. Females are slightly shorter and weigh in at roughly half the amount of their male counterparts.<\/p>\n
Today, orangutans are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. In 2017, a new species of orangutan was described<\/a> by scientists; the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis<\/em>). All three species are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn more about orangutans:\u00a0<\/h4>\n- Orangutan guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gallery: The Orangutan\u2019s World<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n
- Long Read: The people who believe that orangutans are family<\/a><\/li>\n
- Wildlife Champion interview: Michael Morpugo on why orangutans are special<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which species of cat has the most powerful bite?<\/h2>\nWinner: jaguar<\/a> (Panthera onca<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Jaguar\"]( "\\"\"Jaguar\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Jaguar in the Pantanal, Brazil. \u00a9 Staffan Widstrand\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nJaguars have the most powerful bite of any big cat<\/a>. Their teeth are strong enough to bite through the thick hides of crocodiles and the hard shells of river turtles. About 90% of these powerful predators are found in the Amazon rainforest. Sadly one of the main threats they face is deforestation and habitat loss, and the species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn more about jaguars and other big cats:\u00a0<\/h4>\n- Jaguar guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- Big cat guide<\/a><\/li>\n
- News (2019): Jaguars under threat from palm oil expansion<\/a><\/li>\n
- News (2019): Victims of Amazon fires include 500 jaguars<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Which mammal lives the longest?<\/h2>\nWinner: bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n ![\""Bowhead\"]( "\\"\"Bowhead\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Bowhead whale just under ice, Arctic, \u00a9 naturepl.com\/Martha Holmes\/WWF<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nBowhead whales are the longest living mammals on Earth, and can live for over 200 years. The species lives predominantly in Arctic waters and can break through sea ice up to 17.78cm thick in order to breathe. Though they can grow up to approximately 18 meters they are still able to leap entirely out of the water.<\/p>\n
The bowhead whale is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\""A\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2021\/07\/Cheetah.-WWF-b368836.jpg?quality=90&crop=29px%2C0px%2C3567px%2C2376px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"A\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The cheetah is the fastest running animal in the world and can attain speeds of around 70 miles per hour (120km). Though a cheetah can accelerate from 0-68mph in just three seconds, most of their chases last less than a minute.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> One of the world\u2019s most widespread birds of prey, the peregrine falcon can dive at speeds of up to 200mph. They hunt their prey from above, before launching themselves into a downwards dive to reach their prey. The peregrine falcon can be found on every continent except Antarctica.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> The emperor penguin has the deepest and longest dive of any bird, often reaching depths of over 200 metres, and can stay submerged for up to 22 minutes. One female bird has been recorded at a depth of 565 metres!<\/p>\n Emperor penguins are the tallest (1.2m in height) and heaviest (22-45kg) species of penguin, and are found in Antarctica.<\/p>\n Though they thrive in the water, emperor penguins rely on the sea ice to breed, feed and rest, so climate change is possibly the biggest threat they face. The species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Orangutans are the world\u2019s heaviest tree-dwelling mammal. Male orangutans are nearly a meter tall and weigh 60-85kg. Females are slightly shorter and weigh in at roughly half the amount of their male counterparts.<\/p>\n Today, orangutans are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. In 2017, a new species of orangutan was described<\/a> by scientists; the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis<\/em>). All three species are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Jaguars have the most powerful bite of any big cat<\/a>. Their teeth are strong enough to bite through the thick hides of crocodiles and the hard shells of river turtles. About 90% of these powerful predators are found in the Amazon rainforest. Sadly one of the main threats they face is deforestation and habitat loss, and the species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Bowhead whales are the longest living mammals on Earth, and can live for over 200 years. The species lives predominantly in Arctic waters and can break through sea ice up to 17.78cm thick in order to breathe. Though they can grow up to approximately 18 meters they are still able to leap entirely out of the water.<\/p>\n The bowhead whale is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List<\/a>.<\/p>\nLearn more about cheetahs and other cats:<\/h4>\n
Which bird can fly the fastest in a dive?<\/h2>\n
Winner: peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n
![\""An\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2021\/07\/Peregrine-falcon.-WWF-1e51cc9.jpg?quality=90&crop=26px%2C0px%2C3902px%2C2599px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"An\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Learn more about peregrines and other birds of prey:<\/h4>\n
Which bird can dive the longest and deepest?<\/h2>\n
Winner: emperor penguin<\/a> (Aptenodytes forsteri<\/em>)<\/h4>\n
![\""Emperor\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2021\/07\/WWF-Animal-Olympics-Emporer-Penguin.-National-Geographic-Creative-Paul-Nicklen-WWF--6c024e3.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Emperor\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Learn more about penguins:\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Which is the heaviest tree-dwelling mammal?<\/h2>\n
Winner: orangutan<\/a> (Pongo<\/em>)<\/h4>\n
![\""Bornean\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2021\/07\/WWF-Animal-Olympics-Orangutan.-naturepl.com-Fiona-Rogers-WWF-faebbef.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Bornean\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Learn more about orangutans:\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Which species of cat has the most powerful bite?<\/h2>\n
Winner: jaguar<\/a> (Panthera onca<\/em>)<\/h4>\n
![\""Jaguar\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2021\/07\/WWF-Animal-Olympics-Jaguar.-Staffan-Widstrand-WWF-e75d1b5.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C409"\" "\\"\"Jaguar\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Learn more about jaguars and other big cats:\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Which mammal lives the longest?<\/h2>\n
Winner: bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus<\/em>)<\/h4>\n
![\""Bowhead\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2021\/07\/WWF-Animal-Olympics-Bowhead-Whale.-naturepl.com-Martha-Holmes-WWF-1592566.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C411"\" "\\"\"Bowhead\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>