Aardvark v Giant Anteater

Winner: Giant Anteater

Giant Anteaters typically walk with a slow, shuffling gait but, when galloping, can reach speeds of over 30mph. Although Aardvarks aren’t known for their speed, they can travel at up to 25mph when necessary, particularly when avoiding predators.

Aye-aye v Fossa

Winner: Fossa

These agile animals move with impressive speed through the difficult landscape of their forest home but the Fossa can reach speeds of up to 35mph while the Aye-aye tops out at 20mph.

African Hunting Dog v Leopard

Winner: African Hunting Dog

You wouldn’t stand much chance against either of these speed demons in a foot race. But even though the Leopard is fast at up to 37mph, an African Hunting Dog can reach speeds of up to 45mph in short bursts.

Bittern v Puffin

Winner: Puffin

This one’s not really much of a contest. While Bitterns aren’t known for their speed, Puffins can reach up to an incredible 55mph, flapping their wings 400 beats per minute.

Fijian Banded Iguana v Poison Dart Frog

Winner: Fijian Banded Iguana

Our Iguana is the clear winner here, with a maximum movement speed recorded at 21mph. Although our frogs can reach up to 500 taps per minute with their back legs, they still travel slowly across land.

Gentoo Penguin v Rockhopper Penguin

Winner: Gentoo Penguin

Gentoo penguins are the fastest swimmers among all penguin species, capable of reaching speeds up to 22mph. The Rockhopper’s max is only 15mph in comparison.

Lowland Gorilla v Mandrill

Winner: Draw

This one is too close to call! Both can reach speeds of up to 25mph over short distances.

Milu Deer v Red Panda

Winner: Milu Deer

The Milu Deer comfortably wins this battle between the darlings of our Chinese Culture Gallery, running at up to 50mph compared to the Red Panda’s modest 24mph.

Tenontosaurus v Tyrannosaurus rex

Winner: Tenontosaurus

There’s a misconception that Tyrannosaurus rex was both fast and fearsome. But research conducted by Dr William Sellers from the University of Manchester’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences actually found its size and sheer mass would render it physically impossible to move at any speed higher than 7.7mph. Tenontosaurus, meanwhile, would likely have moved quicker on its four legs – it would have needed to if it wanted to escape predators!

Terms and conditions for picture competition

1. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
2. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions and agreement to be bound by them.
3. The competition is open to UK residents of any age. Entrants under 18 must get consent from their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) before entering. Manchester Museum will assume that the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of entrants under 18 agree to these Terms and Conditions on behalf of the entrant.
4. Employees of Manchester Museum, or their family members or partners (or anyone else connected in any way with the competition) shall not be permitted to enter the competition.
5. Manchester Museum will not accept responsibility for entries that are lost, mislaid, damaged or delayed in transit, regardless of cause, including, for example, as a result of any postal failure, equipment failure, technical malfunction, systems, satellite, network, server, computer hardware or software failure of any kind.
6. The rules of the competition, and the prize for each winner, are as follows:

To submit a drawing based on one of the races in our Who wins the race? activity sheet. The completed activity sheet should be handed in at the Manchester Museum Welcome Desk, complete with a contact name and contact telephone number.

The competition will run from 26 April – 1 June 2025 and the winner will be selected at random on 9 June 2025. The winner will be contacted via phone and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Failure to claim prize will result in Manchester Museum selecting another winner.

Prize includes a gift bundle from the Manchester Museum Shop including items with a recommended retail price of £50 or more. The specific items will be selected by Manchester Museum at their disretion and subject to availability.

1. Manchester Museum reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition, and these terms and conditions, without notice, in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil, or military disturbance, act of God, or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation, or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
2. In entering, you confirm that you are eligible to do so and eligible to claim any prize you may win. Manchester Museum may require you to provide proof that you are eligible to enter the prize draw or competition.
3. Manchester Museum reserves all rights to disqualify you if your conduct is contrary to the spirit or intention of the prize draw or competition.
4. Manchester Museum is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
5. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered. Manchester Museum reserves the right to replace the prize with an alternative prize of equal or higher value if circumstances beyond Manchester Museum’s control makes it necessary to do so.
6. The decision of Manchester Museum regarding any aspect of the prize draw or competition is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into about it.
7. Winners will be chosen at random from all entries received and verified by Manchester Museum.
8. The winner will be notified by phone on 9 June 2025. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 24 hours of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize and pick a replacement winner.
9. Manchester Museum will notify the winner of when and where the prize can be collected.
10. The competition, and these terms and conditions, will be governed by English law, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.
11. The winner agrees to the use of their name and image in any publicity material. Any personal data relating to the winner, or any other entrants, will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation, and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
12. The winner’s name will be available 28 days after closing date by sending an email to: museum@manchester.ac.uk
13. The information you provide will be used in conjunction with the privacy policy on our website.