These animals move slowly either because they naturally have large body sizes or they carry heavy shells or carapaces that impede their mobility.
Alongside fast-moving and astonishingly agile animal species, there also exist creatures that move at an incredibly slow pace. The following article will provide essential information about the slowest-moving animals on the planet.
Now let’s explore the slowest-moving animals on the planet and their characteristics.
1. Seahorse (0.0015 km/h)
Seahorses are a diverse group of species, with 54 different seahorse species existing in the ocean. However, they share the common characteristic of moving very slowly. They have an average size ranging from 1.5 to 35.5 cm and move at a speed of 1.5 m per hour. Seahorses also exhibit interesting reproductive behavior, where the male seahorse is the one to carry and care for the eggs until the offspring are mature and able to fend for themselves.
2. Gila Monster (0.0216 km/h)
Gila monster is a slow-moving lizard that can grow up to nearly 700 kg. They can consume a meal that weighs about one-third of their own body weight and then store fat reserves in their bodies, often without actively seeking food. Perhaps due to their large size, these animals can only crawl at a speed of 0.6 cm per second, which is equivalent to 0.0216 km/h.
Although they do not pose a danger to humans due to their slow movement, Gila monsters are venomous and can be dangerous if attacked.
3. Giant Tortoise (0.042 km/h)
It is often said “slow as a tortoise” because tortoises are known for being very slow-moving, especially the giant tortoises that can weigh up to 300 kg. Their large and rigid shells on their backs, combined with thick and heavy legs, contribute to their slow movement.
Giant tortoises are among the animals with a backbone and have a long lifespan.
4. Snail (0.048 km/h)
At the top of the list of slowest moving animals is the snail, with a maximum speed of 1.3 cm per second. To travel a distance of 1 km, it would take them over 21 hours, which is incredibly slow.
Snails, also known as garden snails or land snails, are soft-bodied animals that live on land. They originated in the Mediterranean region and are now present in various areas. The thick shell on their bodies is one of the reasons for their slow movement.
5. Three-Toed Sloth (0.12 km/h)
Three-toed sloths move at a speed of 2 meters per minute, equivalent to 0.12 km/h. They originate from the Americas and spend most of their lives hanging on tree branches in tropical rainforests. Despite their large size, three-toed sloths move in a sluggish, lazy, and extremely slow manner, as their name suggests.
6. Sea Star (0.168 km/h)
There are around 2,000 different species of sea stars worldwide, scattered throughout the oceans on Earth. They are among the slow-moving animals, with a speed of 2.8 meters per minute, equivalent to 0.168 km/h. Sea stars are able to cover long distances by being carried along by ocean currents.
Their shape resembles a star, and that is also the reason for their slow movement. Sea stars do not have blood or a brain, and if you cut a sea star into multiple pieces, you will see new sea stars forming from those pieces.
7. Naked Slug (0.3 km/h)
Naked slugs belong to the slug family, and they have a similar shape to snails but lack the shell on their bodies. These slugs are soft-bodied animals, with a slimy and either brown or white appearance. They spend most of their time searching for food and laying eggs.
Naked slugs move slowly at a speed of 0.3 km/h and are commonly found in damp places such as corners of wells or coastal areas.
8. Loris (2km/h)
Loris is a primate native to Southeast Asia. They have a movement speed of approximately 2 km/h. Lorises have five-fingered development similar to humans, but they possess venom, so even though they may not pose a threat due to their slow movement, caution should be exercised as their bites can have serious consequences.
9. Manatee (5.04 km/h)
Manatees are primarily found in warm oceanic regions. They can grow up to 4 meters in length and weigh up to 600 kg. Despite having four legs that aid in their movement in water, these manatees are very slow movers.
They typically inhabit the Caribbean Sea and have a preference for floating freely on the water’s surface rather than actively moving. Manatees dedicate most of their daytime to feeding, and what’s peculiar is that although they move slowly, they have very few natural predators.
10. Black-tailed Godwit (8 km/h)
The Black-tailed Godwit is known as one of the slowest birds, with a flying speed of only 8 km/h. It ranks at the top of the list of slow-flying bird species.
11. Koala (16.09 km/h)
Koalas are native to Australia and are marsupials known for their adorable appearance. However, they are slow movers due to their relatively rigid body structure and poor eyesight. Their strong limbs and claws allow them to climb trees and feed on leaves, as well as escape from predators.
Those are all the necessary information about the slowest animals in the world. Through this, we can see that these animals move slowly due to their instincts and specific characteristics of each species, as well as the body parts that make it difficult for them to move quickly. Hopefully, you have had a relaxing time reading this article.