While the cheetah and peregrine falcon show off their breathtaking speeds, some animals take life at a much slower pace. These slowest animals in the world move so leisurely that they’ve become symbols of laziness. Join us in exploring these fascinating creatures!
WHAT IS THE SLOWEST ANIMAL IN THE WORLD?
1. THREE-FINGERED SLOTH
What is the slowest animal in the world? When answering that question, the three-fingered sloth often comes up. A fact you should know about these arboreal mammals is that they spend their days hanging from trees and move only when necessary. Their incredibly low metabolic rate allows them to survive on minimal food, mostly leaves. Sloths move at a snail’s pace of about 1 foot per minute to make them one of the most famous slow moving animals.
2. GARDEN SNAIL
What is the second slowest animal in the world? The answer to that question might just be the garden snail. With a typical top speed of 1 millimeter per second, these mollusks rely on a muscular “foot” and a trail of mucus to glide along. This slime reduces friction and protects their delicate bodies as they move.
3. GIANT TORTOISE
The giant tortoise, including the iconic Galapagos species, is renowned for being one of the slowest animals in the world. These creatures can live for over 150 years and have a maximum speed of only 0.16 miles per hour (0.26 kilometers per hour). Despite their slow pace, giant tortoises can travel surprising distances over time. Compared to sea turtles, tortoises are actually one of the slowest land animals.
4. BANANA SLUG
Banana slugs are often highlighted as one of the slowest animals due to their sluggish pace. They can cover approximately 6.5 feet in two hours, while secreting mucus to help them slide along surfaces. Among slow animals, their unhurried movement allows them to conserve energy and avoid predators.
5. SLOW LORIS
Next up on our slow animals list is the slow loris. Despite its name, it’s not always slow. While it moves deliberately to avoid detection, it can strike quickly when capturing prey. As a prime example of animals that are slow, the loris’ cautious movements help it stay hidden in the treetops.
6. SEA ANEMONE
Sea anemones are fascinating slow moving animals that rarely detach from their anchored positions on rocks or reefs. Using their pedal disc and mucus secretions, they move at a pace of about 4 to 10 inches per hour. Their slow movement allows them to wait patiently for prey to come to them.
7. MANATEE
Manatees, also known as sea cows, are one of the friendliest animals of the sea. They usually move at about 5 miles per hour but can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts. Despite this and other fascinating facts about them, they prefer a leisurely pace that allows them to float through shallow waters and graze on aquatic plants. Manatees are gentle giants that exemplify the world’s slowest animals in their natural, unhurried state.
8. KOALA
While koalas can move quickly when necessary, they generally live slow-paced lives. Spending most of their time sleeping and eating eucalyptus leaves, koalas epitomize a leisurely lifestyle. Their slow movement helps conserve energy, as their diet provides limited nutrition. Their methodical pace allows them entry into our category of slow animals despite their occasional bursts of speed.
9. SEAHORSE
The seahorse is an intriguing animal that moves slowly. Using their dorsal fin to propel themselves, dwarf seahorses navigate through the water at a top speed of about five feet per hour. Their slow movement is due to their unique upright posture and lack of a tail fin, which makes them one of the slowest animals in the marine world.
10. GILA MONSTER
Another slow animal is the Gila monster, a venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States. These reptiles move at a pace of only 1.5 miles per hour (2.4 kilometers per hour). They rely on their slow speed to conserve energy, which suits their lifestyle of long periods of inactivity followed by short bursts of activity.
11. GALAPAGOS PENGUIN
As another example of a slow animal, the Galápagos penguin is unique among penguins as it lives near the equator. On land, these penguins waddle slowly due to their short legs and flipper-like wings. In the water, however, they are much faster.
12. GREENLAND SHARK
The Greenland shark is one of the slowest animals in the ocean. These sharks are known for their incredibly slow swimming speed, which clocks in at an average of just 1.12 feet per second (0.34 meters per second). Despite their slow pace, Greenland sharks can live for centuries, with some estimates suggesting they can live up to 500 years.
PROTECTING NATURE’S SLOWEST CREATURES
These slow animals remind us that speed isn’t everything in the animal kingdom. Each of these creatures has adapted to their environment in unique ways that allow them to thrive at a slower pace. Understanding the slowest animals on our planet enriches our appreciation for the diversity of life on Earth.
Here at Fahlo, we want to do our part to protect the slowest animals in the world. That’s why we partner with non-profit organizations to create bracelets that come with a real animal to track. We started this mission in 2018 and have since donated over 3 million dollars to save wildlife. Purchase one of our products and join us on the path to protect wildlife for generations to come.