Some run, some fly, and others hop! Maine is home to quite a few speedsters. The one thing these animals have in common, besides speed, is their amazing survival ability. Fast animals know how to use their quick movements to catch prey and evade predators. What are the fastest animals in Maine? Read on to find out.
Peregrine Falcon
A Peregrine Falcon can reach speeds of 240 mph when diving.
Did you know the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on the planet? These birds can reach speeds of 240 mph when diving. They use their fast speed as a weapon to stun or injure prey in midair.
During the dive, peregrines stretch their talons out wide. Once they’re close enough, they strike the prey with their sharp claws. It’s an impressive hunting technique that helps them catch pigeons, doves, and more.
Since it’s a highly adaptable bird, you can find the peregrine falcon in almost any habitat. They live practically anywhere throughout Maine and exist on every continent, excluding Antarctica. Nesting is easy for peregrines since they prefer to use shallow dips in the ledges of a cliff or even the ledge of a building.
Even though there are growing populations throughout the state, peregrine falcons still hold an endangered status under Maine’s endangered species act. This status is specifically for the resident breeding population of peregrines.
Bald Eagle
These famous birds can reach speeds of 99 mph.
Bald eagles are another one of the fastest animals in Maine. These famous birds can reach speeds of 99 mph. Like the peregrine falcon, the bald eagle reserves these speeds for hunting. When they’re not speeding through the air, bald eagles enjoy gliding. They usually fly at a leisurely pace of 30 miles per hour with their wings held out straight as a board.
The inland bald eagles in Maine mostly eat fish. They enjoy hunting over the state’s lakes and rivers. However, the coastal estuaries provide these birds with a lot more variety. Coastal bald eagles are also known to eat seabirds and waterfowl.
You can see bald eagles year-round in Maine. Acadia National Park is one of the bald eagles’ favorite spots to visit. The park provides a variety of lake, coast, and mountain environments. March to April and August to October are the best times to see large numbers as the eagles migrate.
Golden Eagle
Golden eagles can fly as fast as 200 mph when stooping.
Swoosh! Golden eagles can fly as fast as 200 mph when stooping. Like the peregrine falcon and bald eagle, they use their fast speed to be proficient hunters. Golden eagles eat a variety of mammals and birds. They take their prey alive or as carrion. It’s common to see a golden eagle snatch a rabbit off the ground and fly off with it still alive.
Since 1986 golden eagles have maintained an endangered species status in Maine. Even though the species live throughout the northern hemisphere’s continents, they’re not a common occurrence in Maine. Often golden eagle sightings wind up being something else. The last record of golden eagles nesting in Maine was in 1997, with their first appearance in the state dating back to 1736.
Snowshoe Hare
Snowshoe hares can run up to 50 miles per hour and usually reserve these speeds for evading predators.
Snowshoe hares can run up to 50 miles per hour and usually reserve these speeds for evading predators. These agile rabbits can also leak 12 ft in a single bound. However, when they’re not being chased, these hares like to take it slow.
Most of the day is spent resting for the snowshoe hare. These small mammals prefer dense ground vegetation to conceal them from predators. If a predator finds them, the hare stays still and motionless, waiting to sprint away at the last second.
There are plenty of speedy hares hopping around Maine. The popular game species has a hunting season that runs from October 1st through March 31st.
Canadian Lynx
These forest-dwelling cats are one of the fastest animals in Maine since they can reach impressive speeds of 50 mph.
True to their name, the Canadian lynx lives primarily around Canada, making Maine the perfect home state. These forest-dwelling cats are one of the fastest animals in Maine since they can reach impressive speeds of 50 mph. These top speeds are reserved for running after prey.
The Canada lynx is one of North America’s giant wild cats. Their massive paws work as natural snowshoes, helping them navigate the cold terrain. They prefer spending time in the spruce forest, where snow is the deepest.
Lynx are opportunistic predators, which means they’ll eat almost anything that comes their way. One of their favorite meals is the snowshoe hare. One adult lynx will kill about one to two hares every two to three days. These wild cats rely on their fast speed to catch their meal before it hops away.
Lynx have always lived in Maine, but their numbers have fluctuated greatly. When conditions are optimal, and snowshoe hare populations are high, the wild cat’s population rises. Alternatively, if the snowshoe hare populations dwindle, so do the lynxes.
The lynx in Maine belongs to a larger population that inhabits Western New Brunswick and Southern Quebec. The wildcats move between these areas, staying wherever food sources are abundant.
