Who is faster — a cat or a mouse? - briefly
Cats can sprint up to about 30 mph, whereas mice manage roughly 8 mph, making the feline considerably faster. This speed gap enables cats to overtake mice in brief chases.
Who is faster — a cat or a mouse? - in detail
Cats can reach sprint velocities of 30–48 km/h (≈19–30 mph) in short bursts, driven by powerful hind‑limb musculature and a flexible spine that elongates stride length. Domestic breeds and wild felids such as the European wildcat exhibit similar peak speeds, with larger species like the cheetah exceeding 100 km/h, but the average house cat remains within the stated range.
Mice achieve maximum speeds of 13–15 km/h (≈8–9 mph). Their locomotion relies on rapid limb cycling and a lightweight frame, allowing quick acceleration over short distances. Laboratory measurements of Mus musculus show burst speeds near 13 km/h, while field mice can approach 15 km/h when escaping predators.
Comparing the two, felines possess roughly double the top speed of rodents. Cats also display greater acceleration, covering the first few meters of a chase faster than a mouse can react. Rodents compensate with superior maneuverability, capable of sharp turns and vertical jumps that can evade a predator’s linear pursuit.
Environmental variables influence outcomes. In confined spaces or cluttered terrain, a mouse’s agility may offset the cat’s speed advantage, enabling escape through narrow gaps. Open surfaces favor the predator’s sprint capacity, allowing it to close the distance before the prey reaches its top velocity.
Overall, the feline’s peak sprint exceeds the rodent’s by a substantial margin, granting the cat a decisive speed advantage in direct, straight‑line pursuits.