The Highest Jumping Animals
What are the long jump world records of animals? Are there animals that can jump particularly high? The high jump world record is 8 feet (2.45 meters). The animals in this chart would only sneer at this. Particularly the flea – it can jump as high as 11.8 inches (30 cm) even though it measures only 0.05 to 0.17 inches (1.5 to 4.5 mm).
Which Animal Has the Highest Jump?
| High Jump | Animal | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Marine mammal | Dolphin | 22.9 feet (7 meters) |
| Terrestrial animal | Cougar | 19.6 feet (6 meters) |
| Hoofed animal | Impala * | 9.8 feet (3 meters) |
| Horse | "Huaso" (1949) | 8.1 ft (2.47 m) |
| Dog | "Cinderella" (2006) ** | 67.9 inches (172.7 cm) |
| Rabbit | "Tine Hygom" (1997) | 39.1 inches (99.5 cm) |
| Pig | "Kotetsu" (2004) *** | 27.5 inches (70 cm) |
| Insect | Meadow froghopper | 27.5 inches (70 cm) |
| Miniature horse | "Lovebug" (2005) **** | 24 inches (61 cm) |
Which Animal Has the Longest Jump?
| Long Jump | Animal | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial animal | Grey kangaroo | 44.2 feet (13.5 meters) |
| Snake | Paradise flying snake | 32.8 feet (10 meters) |
| Hoofed animal | Impala * | 29.5 feet (9 meters) |
| Hare | Snowshoe hare | 11.9 feet (3.65 meters) |
| Rodent | Kangaroo rat | 9 feet (2.75 meters) |
| Amphibian | Bullfrog | 6.5 feet (2 meters) |
| Guinea pig | "Truffles" (2012) | 18.8 inches (48 cm) |
* Impalas are an antelope species.
** Full name: Cinderella May a Holly Grey
*** A pot-bellied pig
**** The horse has a height at withers of just 29.9 inches (76 cm).
How Does the Flea Jump So High?
If humans had the same jumping power as a flea, they would be able to jump 295 feet (90 meters) wide and 164 feet (50 meters) high. What makes the flea that strong? It would not be able to achieve this by means of one’s muscles alone. The flea has an elastic substance in its joints that helps to catapult it into the air. This works similar to the pole of a pole vaulter. Shortly before the jump, the pole bends and is under extreme tension. This helps the vaulter to get high up in the air.
The Highest Jump Compared to Body Size
The flea had to pass its title to another animal, because its jumping power is “only” 135 times higher than its body weight. The record holder is the meadow froghopper, which has a jumping power 400 times higher than its body weight. Yet, it is not as dangerous to come across one of those animals than a cougar, which could easily jump up to a second floor balcony ...
Which Are The "Best" Jumpers?
It is an impressive achievement to jump very high or large distances. Yet, there should be an additional category: the “best” jumper – an animal that is particularly nimble, sure-footed and fast and also very good at jumping, a multi-talent, an all-rounder! And who would have thought: These animals cannot be found in flat, wide plains but in the mountains.
Blue Sheep and Klipspringer
Some of the best jumpers are the blue sheep and the klipspringer. The blue sheep lives in Central Asia at heights of 9,842 to 16,404 feet (3,000 to 5,000 meters). The klipspringer is at home in the rocky areas of Africa and the only antelope species walking on the tips of its hooves. With their small hooves, the blue sheep and the klipspringer can walk along incredibly narrow cliff edges and use them as jumping platforms. They are not scared of heights. Sometimes the cliffs they land on are not broader than 1.1 inches (3 cm).
