Critter Olympics

MUSIC VO: Live from MDC, the Missouri Department of Conservation brings you the Show Me Critter Olympics. MUSIC DAN ZARLENGA: Since the Olympics began nearly 3,000 years ago in Greece, humans have performed feats of strength, speed and endurance. In this Olympic year, we salute our Missouri critters for their athletic feats. MUSIC For fastest flying animal, the peregrine falcon takes the gold. This all-time speed champion clocks in at a top speed of 261 miles per hour. The peregrine falcons has made a remarkable comeback in the past 50 years. Falcons perch high up in trees to search out prey. Known for their speedy aerial dives called stoops, they zoom down on unsuspecting prey like pigeons. They've been seen high flying around skyscrapers in St. Louis and Kansas City. Another champion of flight, the ruby throated hummingbird clocks a forward motion of 50 miles per hour. These precision flyers can fly up, down, even upside down. They are the only bird that can fly backwards. With more than 50 wing beats per second--moving in a figure 8 pattern, hummingbirds can stop instantly and hover. Their sheer control for thrust and lift, and dazzling colors, make them a Show-me state favorite for aerial displays in backyards across the state. MUSIC Bringing in the gold for Missouri is the coyote with a land speed record of 43 miles per hour while in hot pursuit. They're tough competitors for rabbits whose speed tops out at only 30 mph. Some smooth moves will be needed to level the playing field. Coyotes walk around 13 mph, trot at 20, and can double that for a full run. They can also jump up to 13 feet in chase mode. MUSIC Bringing in the silver is the white-tailed deer, clocking in at 35-40 mph. Known for their speed and agility, the white-tailed deer can leap as high as ten feet and as long as 30 in a single bound. Their top swimming speed is about 13 mph. White-tailed deer have a well developed sense of smell, sight and hearing. If they can't sneak away, they'll dart off with a loud snort, raising their white tail up like a flag, alerting other deer to danger. Taking the bronze is the red fox at 30 mph. Their speed and hunting skills make foxes a stealthy competitor. Their ears can pinpoint a sound's location within one degree. They can hear a mouse squeal 150 feet away. Like cats, foxes sneak up on their prey and pounce. Their bushy tails help with balance, warmth and signaling other foxes. MUSIC You'll have to look fast to catch a glimpse of the collared lizard, sometimes called the "mountain boomer". Their track is usually an Ozark glade with rocky shelter. Collared lizards are one of few who can run on their hind legs, reaching speeds of 15 mph. They can strike up to 3 times their body length. They're also one of the brightest colored lizards in the world. Their strong hind legs move them swiftly toward prey or away from predators while using their tails for balance. Unlike other lizards, their tails do not regenerate. MUSIC The best weightlifting champion in our state is the Hercules beetle, pound for pound, our strongest animal. This robust critter can lift 850 times its body weight. For humans, that would be like 70 tons. The Hercules is the largest beetle in North America, growing to 2 inches long with horn like pincers, for dueling and flipping opponents. They live in mature forests and can fly with wings that unfold from under their hard shells. MUSIC A Show-Me State medalist for the long jump is the American Bullfrog, jumping up to 10 times it's body length -- about 7 feet. The World record for humans is only twice our body length. This Missouri game animal is the largest frog in the world. Bullfrogs live in or near water. They help control insects and mosquitos. but can cause problems by eating too much of the local critter cuisine, anything that will fit in their mouths including other frogs. They'll wait quietly and ambush prey with their strong hind legs. Humans find these legs pretty tasty. The Bullfrog, our state amphibian can be found in every county. MUSIC These are just a few of Missouri's Olympic animal champions. While humans compete for sport and honor, our critters compete to survive the elements, escape predators, catch prety, build homes and have young. These competitions take place all over Missouri in all seasons. You can catch our Show-Me critters in action in the fields, woods, waters, and backyards all over our state. MUSIC This Olympic tribute brought to you by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Helping You Discover Nature!