We all have heard the tales of giant sea creatures, but have you wondered which is the biggest animal on earth? The answer might surprise you. The largest creatures on the planet are not only sea animals but also mammals and birds. In this article, we will discuss the ten biggest animals living on the planet.
From the largest bony fish to the biggest mammal, these creatures represent the diversity of life on Earth. Each of these animals is incredible in its way, and discovering their size and strength can be awe-inspiring. Read on to find out which are the ten biggest animals in the world.
1. Blue Whale
The Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is a species of baleen whale found in all major oceans. It is the largest animal known to have ever lived and is one of the most recognizable and iconic whales. The Blue Whale can reach lengths of up to 30 meters (98 feet) and can weigh up to 180 metric tonnes (nearly 200 short tons).
Blue Whales have an impressive physical appearance, with an arched back, a broad, smooth head, and a long, tapered snout. They are usually a mottled blue-gray color, with a lighter belly and throat patches. The lower jaw is usually much lighter than the rest of the body and the underside of the tail may be a lighter shade of gray.
Blue Whales are social animals and they typically travel in small groups, although they have been known to congregate in larger groups in areas of high food concentration. They feed mainly on krill, small schooling fish, and other tiny organisms found in the ocean, although they may supplement their diet with larger fish and squid on occasion.
Blue Whales are migratory animals and they travel long distances in search of food. They migrate to the northern hemisphere during the summer and to the southern hemisphere during the winter.
Blue Whales are listed as endangered due to a long history of hunting, although their population is slowly increasing. They are protected by several international agreements and the IUCN Red List.
2. African Bush Elephant
The African Bush Elephant is the largest elephant species in the world, weighing up to 8,000 kilograms (17,500 lb). It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, but can also be found in parts of Central and West Africa. It is grey in color and can reach a height of up to 3.5 meters (11.5 ft).
Its ears are much larger than the African Forest Elephant’s and are used to dissipate heat. African Bush Elephants have tusks that are used for digging for food, water, and minerals, as well as for defense.
They also have a long trunk, used for both communication and manipulating objects. They live in groups of up to 30 individuals and can live up to 70 years in the wild.
3. Saltwater Crocodile
The Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a large aquatic reptile found in saltwater habitats. It is the world’s largest living reptile, with some males growing to 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) and weighing over 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), though many can reach much smaller sizes.
The species inhabits river systems, marshes, estuaries, and mangrove swamps across southern Asia and northern Australia. Saltwater crocodiles have long, slender snouts and powerful jaw muscles, enabling them to seize and crush prey. They are ambush predators and typically feed on fish, birds, and mammals.
They have tough armor-like scales, four short legs, and long, powerful tails. They are capable of making short bursts of speed in the water, and they can remain submerged for long periods. They are capable of vocalizations and can use their tails as a form of communication.
4. Reticulated Python
The Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) is a species of large nonvenomous snake that is found in many areas of tropical Southeast Asia. It is known for its unique pattern of reticulated black, brown, and yellow scales covering its body, and its ability to grow to be very large in size.
Reticulated Pythons are the longest snakes in the world, with the longest ever recorded measuring over 10 meters (33 feet) in length.
They are mainly ground-dwelling snakes but they are also semi-aquatic and will often inhabit trees, caves, and abandoned buildings. They are an ambush predator, feeding on small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
5. North Pacific Right Whale
The North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) is one of the most critically endangered species of whales in the world. It is the only species of right whale native to the North Pacific Ocean and is often called the “urban whale” for its tendency to visit areas close to urban centers.
The North Pacific right whale is the largest of the baleen whale family, measuring up to 17.5 meters in length and weighing up to 80 tonnes. North Pacific right whales feed on zooplankton and small fish. They can be found in shallow coastal waters and off-the-shelf limits, concentrating near coastal upwelling ecosystems.
The most important feeding areas are located in the Bering Sea, Alaska, and British Columbia. These whales migrate along the North Pacific Coast, but their movement patterns are still largely unknown.
They are primarily threatened by entanglement in fishing nets, shipping vessels, and other human activities. Climate change is also believed to be impacting the North Pacific right whale population, with some of the species’ calving grounds being particularly vulnerable to rising sea temperatures.
As of 2020, the population of North Pacific right whales is estimated to be between 200-300 individuals.
6. Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world, standing up to 18 feet tall. They are herbivores, meaning they feed on leaves and fruits from trees and shrubs in Africa. They have long, thin legs and long neck and their coats are usually light brown in color with darker patches.
Their tongues are very long — up to 45 centimeters — and they can reach and pluck foliage from tall trees. Giraffes have very good eyesight and they can run up to 35 mph. They live in dry savannas in Africa, and their social groups are comprised of a few individuals.
7. Ostrich
The ostrich is a large, flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird and is characterized by its long neck and bare, scale-covered legs. Its head is small compared to its body, and its eyes are the largest of any land animal. Its wings are large and powerful, but too short to allow for flight.
Ostriches are nomadic animals, and their diet consists primarily of plants, insects, and other small animals. They can live up to 20 years.
Ostriches are known for their ability to run very fast and can reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour. They can also kick with great force, making them dangerous animals to encounter.
8. Fin Whale
The humpback whale is an aquatic mammal belonging to the baleen whale suborder. It is a large species of whale, growing to lengths of up to 52 feet and weighing up to 40 tons. The humpback whale is easily identifiable due to its long, arching back and long white pectoral fins.
Its coloring is typically black on the back with white sides and a light-colored white belly. Its scientific name is Megaptera novaeangliae, meaning “big-winged New Englander.” Humpback whales are found in all major oceans, living in both colder, northern areas and warmer, southern areas.
They are migratory animals, traveling thousands of miles to feed and breed. Humpback whales are known for their complex and loud singing, which can be heard for miles underwater and is used for communication and to attract mates.
9. Asian Elephant
The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal in Asia, a member of the Elephantidae family. Its body is covered in coarse, gray hair, and its trunk is a unique feature that is used for grasping objects and communicating with other members of its species.
It has four toes on each foot, which are covered by thick pads, and a long tail that helps to keep its balance when walking. Its tusks are long, curved, and pointed, and it has two small ears. Its diet consists mainly of leaves, grass, bamboo, and other plants, although it sometimes supplements its diet with roots and bark as well.
As it wanders through its habitat, it will also take advantage of certain fruits and vegetables that it can find. It can be found in parts of India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and China. It is an endangered species, and its population is declining due to human activity and habitat destruction.
10. Polar Bear
The polar bear is a majestic and powerful animal. It is the largest land carnivore on the planet, reaching a shoulder height of up to 6 feet and weighing as much as 1,500 pounds when fully grown. Its fur is thick, snow-white in color, and helps to insulate it from the cold temperatures of its Arctic homeland.
Its large paws are equipped with webbing that helps it to swim in the icy waters in search of food. The polar bear’s diet consists mostly of seals, but it also scavenges for other sources of food, such as carrion, vegetation, and even human refuse.
The polar bear is at the top of the food chain and is an apex predator. The polar bear is listed as a “vulnerable” species due to the effects of climate change, which threatens its habitat, reduces its food sources, and contributes to a declining population.
However, it is still a sight to behold, a majestic creature of the Arctic.
Conclusion
We all have heard the tales of giant sea creatures, but have you wondered which is the biggest animal on earth? The answer might surprise you. The largest creatures on the planet are not only sea animals but also mammals and birds. In this article, we will discuss the ten biggest animals living on the planet.