There are some remarkable athletes within the animal kingdom! Their epic migrations and fascinating daily movements give amazing insights into how these species overcome the challenges of the natural world. Would you like to train alongside these spectacular animals? Modern technology allows us to monitor our own movements through the GPS receivers in our smart phones, very similar technology is used by biologists to monitor the movements of rare and fascinating animals around the world. At Race the Wild we want to bring these technologies together. Whether your training for an Iron Man, aiming to complete your first 5K run or just looking for some daily fitness inspiration the natural word can provide a role model, a training partner, and a wild competitor.
On this site you can learn more about Race the Wild, how games can be used to address serious issues and discover how and why scientists study animal movement. If you'd like to learn a little more about "serious games" and read a blog about how we are developing the Race the Wild concept then Social Science Gaming has all the information you're looking for.
On this site you can learn more about Race the Wild, how games can be used to address serious issues and discover how and why scientists study animal movement. If you'd like to learn a little more about "serious games" and read a blog about how we are developing the Race the Wild concept then Social Science Gaming has all the information you're looking for.
Animal Athlete: The Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
Total Length: 33–36 cm (13–15 in) from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail.
Wingspan: 76–85 cm
Weight: 86–127 g (3.0–4.5 oz).
The Arctic Tern is a strong contender for the greatest ultra marathon athlete.
It had long been suspected that Arctic terns flew truly epic migrations after birds tagged in the northern hemisphere were recorded thousands of miles away. For example in 1982 an Arctic tern chick was fitted with a leg ring in the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast just three months later the birds was noted in Melbourne (Australia). Studies like this lead to estimates that an average Arctic Migration was around 40,000 kilometres every year. Now, new technology has revealed that this is a serious under-estimation of the terns athletic feats.
We now know that, only landing to breed these small birds average an astounding 90,000 km per year. With the migration from the northern to southern hemisphere being achieved remarkably quickly. Birds have been recorded travelling 24,270 kilometres in a mere 40 days. In a lifetime that can reach up to 30 years arctic terns fly the equivalent of three round trips to the Moon and back!
Total Length: 33–36 cm (13–15 in) from the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail.
Wingspan: 76–85 cm
Weight: 86–127 g (3.0–4.5 oz).
The Arctic Tern is a strong contender for the greatest ultra marathon athlete.
It had long been suspected that Arctic terns flew truly epic migrations after birds tagged in the northern hemisphere were recorded thousands of miles away. For example in 1982 an Arctic tern chick was fitted with a leg ring in the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast just three months later the birds was noted in Melbourne (Australia). Studies like this lead to estimates that an average Arctic Migration was around 40,000 kilometres every year. Now, new technology has revealed that this is a serious under-estimation of the terns athletic feats.
We now know that, only landing to breed these small birds average an astounding 90,000 km per year. With the migration from the northern to southern hemisphere being achieved remarkably quickly. Birds have been recorded travelling 24,270 kilometres in a mere 40 days. In a lifetime that can reach up to 30 years arctic terns fly the equivalent of three round trips to the Moon and back!
Animal Athlete: The Aftrican Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Height: males stand 3.2–4.0 m (10–13 ft) tall at the shoulder with females smaller at 2.2–2.6 m (7–9 ft)
Average weight: 4,700–6,048 kg (10,360–13,330 lb) Male; 2,160–3,232 kg (4,762–7,125 lb) Female
We might not think of Elephants as a particularly athletic animal but thier movement statistics can be extremely impressive. Thier walking speed is similar to that of a human (between 1 and 4 mph) and when water and food suplies are plentiful they may not move far at all. Yet in areas where resources are scarce individuals can have home ranges of up to 3,700 square Km, travel as far as 75 km in a few days and journey for hundred Kilometres during a search for a sourcse of food and water. Elephants can charge at an impressive 35 - 40 kph (22 - 25 mph) over a short distances.
Previously, elephants migrated over long distances throughout their range. The increasing human presence across their range makes long range seasonal migrations dificult and brings them into increasing contact with people. Race the Wilds partner organisation Space for Giants are working to overcome the most dificult challenges facing African elephants today.
Height: males stand 3.2–4.0 m (10–13 ft) tall at the shoulder with females smaller at 2.2–2.6 m (7–9 ft)
Average weight: 4,700–6,048 kg (10,360–13,330 lb) Male; 2,160–3,232 kg (4,762–7,125 lb) Female
We might not think of Elephants as a particularly athletic animal but thier movement statistics can be extremely impressive. Thier walking speed is similar to that of a human (between 1 and 4 mph) and when water and food suplies are plentiful they may not move far at all. Yet in areas where resources are scarce individuals can have home ranges of up to 3,700 square Km, travel as far as 75 km in a few days and journey for hundred Kilometres during a search for a sourcse of food and water. Elephants can charge at an impressive 35 - 40 kph (22 - 25 mph) over a short distances.
Previously, elephants migrated over long distances throughout their range. The increasing human presence across their range makes long range seasonal migrations dificult and brings them into increasing contact with people. Race the Wilds partner organisation Space for Giants are working to overcome the most dificult challenges facing African elephants today.
Animal Athlete: The Grey Wolf
Total length: 1.65 m (Male) 1.59 m (Female)
Height: 66 – 81 cm
Average weight: 43 – 45 kg (Male) 36–38.5 kg (Female)
Historically, the grey wolf held the title of the world’s most widely distributed land mammal. It ranged throughout much of the northern hemisphere, from Mexico, north through North America to the Arctic, and throughout most of Eurasia, as far south as southern India. Today, however, this species has a more restricted distribution, occurring mainly in wilderness and remote areas of Canada, Alaska, northern USA, Europe and Asia, and is extinct in parts of Western
olf packs travel constantly in search of prey, covering roughly 9% of their territory every day. Thats an average of 25 km per day. Wolves stalk thier prey before pursuing their quary at speeds of up to 65kph in a chase which can last between 100 metres and 5 kilometres! Most wolves will abandon the chase after 1–2 Km if their prey shows no sign of tiring however one wolf was recorded to chase a deer for 21 km (the distance of a half marathon!).
Total length: 1.65 m (Male) 1.59 m (Female)
Height: 66 – 81 cm
Average weight: 43 – 45 kg (Male) 36–38.5 kg (Female)
Historically, the grey wolf held the title of the world’s most widely distributed land mammal. It ranged throughout much of the northern hemisphere, from Mexico, north through North America to the Arctic, and throughout most of Eurasia, as far south as southern India. Today, however, this species has a more restricted distribution, occurring mainly in wilderness and remote areas of Canada, Alaska, northern USA, Europe and Asia, and is extinct in parts of Western
olf packs travel constantly in search of prey, covering roughly 9% of their territory every day. Thats an average of 25 km per day. Wolves stalk thier prey before pursuing their quary at speeds of up to 65kph in a chase which can last between 100 metres and 5 kilometres! Most wolves will abandon the chase after 1–2 Km if their prey shows no sign of tiring however one wolf was recorded to chase a deer for 21 km (the distance of a half marathon!).