When it comes to impressive sizes, the animal kingdom indeed has giants. However, to name the largest animal on Earth, it is necessary to specify which type is being referred to — marine, terrestrial, or flying.
The largest animal in the world is the blue whale
The largest creature on the planet is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Adult individuals reach lengths of 22.8 to 30.5 meters and weights of up to 150 tons.
The largest land animal is the African elephant
The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is considered the largest living land animal and the largest land mammal. The average shoulder height of adults is 3–3.4 meters, and the maximum recorded weight is 11.5 tons.
The largest terrestrial predator
Among currently living terrestrial mammalian predators, the title belongs to the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Adult males can weigh up to 800 kilograms.
The tallest animal is the giraffe
The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the tallest land animal: males range in height from 4.3 to 5.7 meters.
The largest reptile is the saltwater crocodile
The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest modern reptile. These massive predators inhabit Southeast Asia, the eastern coast of India, northern Australia, and the islands of Micronesia. Adult males reach lengths of 6 meters and weigh between 1000 and 1500 kilograms.
The largest bird is the ostrich
The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest living bird. Adult males can reach heights of 2.7 meters and weights of up to 145 kilograms.
The largest fish is the whale shark
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish on the planet. The average length of these giants is about 12.2 meters, and the largest recorded specimen reached 18.8 meters.
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