Have you ever been curious as to which animal species are the largest in the world and how much larger than average they actually are?
We have compiled a list of the 14 largest animals in the world. Let’s look at them without further ado and talk about some cool stuff about them.
Top Largest Animals You Should Know About
1. Blue Whale
Blue Whale is the largest mammal and animal in the world. These sea giants reach lengths of roughly 100 feet and subsist mainly on krill, which are little shrimp-like crustaceans. A typical day’s diet for these massive creatures may include four tonnes of krill. A fully grown blue whale can weigh up to 200 tonnes. They have hearts the size of a vehicle and tongues that may weigh equal to an elephant.
Although they weigh a lot, they are strong swimmers that can achieve speeds of up to 20 miles per hour when threatened. But they typically favor a more leisurely pace of 5 mph.
2. African Bush Elephant
African Bush Elephant is the largest mammal on land. To maintain their enormous size, which may reach 11 tonnes, they must eat nearly 350 pounds daily. The majority of the diets of the world’s largest terrestrial animals consist of fruits, leaves, grass, bark, and other forms of flora.
These African savannah elephants range over Africa, living in various environments. In this type of elephant, tusks are present in both males and females. Their maximum size is 24 feet in length and 13 feet in height. They were already in danger, but poaching and habitat loss have pushed them to extinction.
3. Saltwater Crocodile
Saltwater Crocodile is the largest reptile known to the world. These vicious predators can reach a length of 23 feet and a weight of over 2000 pounds. Indigenous to South Asia and Australia lurk just below the water’s surface, waiting for an easy meal. The saltwater crocodile’s jaws make it possible to have the strongest bite on the planet.
The length of the sharp teeth can reach up to five inches. Extensive hunting of saltwater crocodiles in the past nearly wiped off the species. However, these enormous reptiles are now considered relatively safe because of an effective conservation system.
4. Ostrich
Ostriches are the giant living birds on Earth. These massive, flightless birds can grow 9 feet tall and 330 pounds. In addition to being one of the largest mammals on Earth, they also produce the largest eggs, which measure about 6 inches in length. A single kick from one of these creatures might kill a human or any other animal.
They exist solely in the wild, and their habitats are dry and semiarid areas of Africa. The fastest of any living bird, these massive creatures can cover ground at incredible speeds, with a top speed of 45 mph when running.
5. Komodo Dragon
Komodo Dragon is the giant lizard in the animal world. Only five of Indonesia’s volcanic islands are suitable for their survival. These giant lizards can reach lengths of 10 feet and weigh up to 300 pounds. Smaller animals and reptiles make up the bulk of their diet.
The Komodo dragon’s keen sense of smell allows it to locate and kill its prey successfully. Their method of hunting is to sneak up on their victim and bite it with their poisonous fangs. The blood poisoning will kill the animal within a day, so it’s still doomed even if the victim escapes.
6. Green Anaconda
Green Anaconda is the largest snake on Earth. Green anacondas are the heaviest snakes on the planet and are found in certain regions of South America. They are non-venomous that can grow to a maximum length of 20 feet and a hefty 330 pounds.
They’re often dark green, with massive black spots on the back and tiny yellowish markings on the sides. These snakes feed on mammals, fish, amphibians, and other aquatic species, and their preferred habitats are slow-moving streams and marshes. Because their nostrils are at the top of their skulls, they can breathe underwater.
7. Polar Bear
Polar Bears are the biggest carnivore animal. These massive creatures are native to the Arctic Circle, where they may grow to a height of 9.8 feet and a weight of 1300 pounds. At birth, polar bear cubs have short, white fur, no teeth, and no sight.
These marine mammals spend a great deal of time in the Arctic waters searching for seals, one of their primary food sources. In the wild, they have a life expectancy of 15–18 years. These giant animals are threatened because climate change is causing them to lose their natural habitat.
8. Chinese Giant Salamander
Chinese Giant Salamander is the biggest amphibian in the world. Native to China, you can find this fish in swift-moving water, such as mountain rivers and large streams. This species of salamander can reach a maximum length of 5.9 feet. Their tails are longer than the rest of their bodies combined.
These nocturnal animals can’t see their prey and rely on the water’s vibrations to catch them. Insects, fish, worms, crabs, and even small amphibians make up the bulk of their food. Since they are a delicacy in China, these animals are threatened due to hunting and habitat loss.
9. Giant Squid
Giant Squids are the biggest squids in the cephalopod family. These marine organisms, including their tentacles, may grow to 59 feet in length, making them one of the world’s largest animals. Each of them weighs over a thousand pounds on average.
These aquatic creatures have the enormous eyes of any known animal species. They are widespread across the oceans, but the North Pacific and North Atlantic are particularly rich in them. They employ black ink as a defense mechanism and focus on smaller squid and fish for food.
10. Titan Beetle
Titan Beetle is the biggest of all the insects in the world. These beetles, indigenous to certain regions of the South American jungle, live for just a few weeks and go entirely without food during that time. They rely instead on the energy stores they built up during their pupal stage.
These insects are nocturnal and shy and stay hidden during the day. These beetles can grow to a maximum of 6.5 inches in length and have a reddish-brown coloration with darker markings in some regions. Their jaws are so strong that these beetles can easily snap a wooden pencil in two.
11. Japanese Spider Crab
Japanese Spider Crab is an enormous spider in the arthropod family. Among marine arthropods, these crabs have the longest leg span (almost 12.5 feet) and are native to some areas of Japan.
Despite having ten legs, these omnivorous crabs are called “spider crabs” due to their appearance.
They weigh roughly 44 pounds and have the longest longevity of any known crab species, with a maximum possible 100 years in the wild. Crabs like these are considered a delicacy in several Asian countries, but their numbers are dwindling due to commercial fishing.
12. Giraffe
And when it comes to the tallest animals, the giraffe takes the brownie points. The average giraffe has legs about six feet long, making them taller than many humans. Each giraffe has its unique pattern of spots on its coat. As a result, researchers may utilize the unique patterns of their coats to identify individual giraffes in the wild.
They have long necks and legs to reach the leaves at the top of trees that other animals can’t. They can pull leaves from trees with the help of their lengthy tongues since they lack front teeth in their upper jaw.
13. Gaur
Gaur is the world’s biggest wild cattle. The Gaur, or the Indian bison, is a bovine native to South and Southeast Asia, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986.
Native to South Asia and Southeast Asia, they are powerful and muscular that they can quickly kill any wild animal, human, or domestic cattle that dares to threaten them. Gaurs are found in herds of 30 to 50 animals.
14. Leatherback Sea Turtles
Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest specie of turtles in the world. Female turtles only come ashore to deposit their eggs but can swim great distances and spend most of their time in the water. Besides, these turtles are also the only kind that doesn’t have shells or scales.
The Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans are all home to leatherbacks in their marine environments. These leathery turtles, sometimes known as lute turtles, can grow as long as 1.8 meters. Furthermore, their average weight is 500 kilograms.
Wrapping Up!
The world is home to some genuinely massive beasts. Unfortunately, many are experiencing a loss of habitat and a population decline. Yet to maintain harmony on our planet, we must ensure their safety.
