Amphibians typically spend their larval stage in water and their adult lives on land. Measuring speed in this group is complicated because their movement is highly varied, ranging from explosive jumps and terrestrial running to swimming and burrowing. Determining the fastest amphibian requires finding the absolute maximum velocity recorded for any species across all modes of locomotion. This article identifies the current amphibian speed champion.
Identifying the Speed Champion
The title of the world’s fastest amphibian is held by the Nauta, or Andean, Salamander (Bolitoglossa altamazonica). This small, lungless creature has been recorded achieving a terrestrial burst speed of approximately 15 miles per hour (24 kilometers per hour). While this is a burst of short duration, it represents the highest velocity documented for any amphibian moving on land, momentarily outstripping the explosive speed of many frogs.
The Nauta Salamander’s speed is generated by a unique biomechanical action rather than just its limbs. Its slender, streamlined body allows for rapid, near-ballistic movement. The acceleration is driven by a powerful, rapid straightening of its torso from a C-shape, powered by its strong axial musculature. This explosive maneuver, combined with its lightweight structure and short, laterally-projecting limbs, allows it to achieve remarkable velocities.
Measuring Amphibian Velocity
Quantifying the maximum speed of an amphibian requires specialized laboratory equipment to capture high-acceleration movements. The primary method involves high-speed video photography. This ultra-fast filming allows researchers to analyze the precise kinematics of a jump or sprint, calculating initial velocity and angle of trajectory by tracking the animal’s center of mass.
For a detailed understanding of the forces involved, scientists utilize multi-axis force platforms. These sensitive plates measure the ground reaction forces, recording the precise horizontal thrust and vertical lift generated by the amphibian’s limbs during takeoff. The resulting data is then used to calculate the animal’s power output, providing a metric of locomotor performance beyond simple distance or speed. For non-jumping species like salamanders, researchers utilize specialized treadmills and X-ray videography. This setup allows for the detailed study of terrestrial gait, tracking the complex sequence of lateral body undulations and limb kinematics at consistent, controlled speeds.
Speed Across Different Amphibian Orders
The amphibian class is divided into three distinct orders. Anura, which includes frogs and toads, are the speed specialists, dominating records due to their powerful saltatory locomotion. Their fused vertebrae and elongated, muscular hind limbs are specifically adapted for explosive jumping, allowing them to cover large distances quickly on land.
Urodela, the salamanders and newts, exhibit a less specialized form of movement. They use a sprawling, walking gait combined with lateral undulation of the trunk and tail, a locomotion pattern similar to early four-legged vertebrates. This method is slow, prioritizing stealth and control over raw velocity, though the Nauta salamander represents a high-velocity exception within the group.
Apoda, the limbless caecilians, are the slowest group, built for an entirely fossorial, or burrowing, existence. They move through the soil using a unique hydrostatic motion called internal concertina locomotion, where the vertebral column moves independently inside the skin to anchor and push the body forward. Their speed is measured in millimeters per second, reflecting a lifestyle focused on force and burrowing efficiency rather than rapid surface escape.