How much does the heaviest animal in the world weigh? The largest rodent in the world: Capybara, or guinea pig. Is it true that elephants sleep standing up?
Earth - amazing planet, striking not only picturesque landscapes, unique locations, plants, but also an amazing diversity of living creatures. Among the inhabitants of our celestial body There are many small but deadly poisonous insects, as well as dangerous-looking but harmless giants. Actually, it is the large representatives of the fauna that we will talk about. In this article we will look at animals whose size causes amazement. And so, we bring to your attention a rating that describes the largest animals in the world. Let us immediately note that we will talk about different types. Top's goal is size! And if you want to know more, then we suggest you read the article about the most dangerous animals, then you will definitely learn a lot of new things!
14 largest animals in the world
1
Among land dwellers, the heaviest animal in the world is the African elephant, whose length reaches 7.5 meters. Height varies from 3 to 3.5 meters. It is worth noting that males weigh up to 6 tons. Females are somewhat smaller: length – 7 meters, height 2.7 meters, weight 5.5 tons. Due to their enormous size, adult African elephants have no enemies. Not at all, the cubs of these animals are vulnerable to hyenas and lions. For this reason, female elephants nurse their babies until they reach 1.5 meters in height. Then even crocodiles are not a threat to elephants!
2
The top giants of our world continue, but this time in height, the representative of the “friends of man” is the Giraffe. African artiodactyls are capable of growing up to 6 meters in height. Moreover, the weight of an adult male can reach 1600 kilograms. Females usually do not exceed 800 kilograms. Almost half of giraffes have a neck length of 2 meters. The uniqueness of the animal lies in the presence of a cervical spine. It is worth adding that these unique animals, precisely because of their species, live in many zoos around the world.
3
Saltwater crocodile
There is no doubt that the largest reptile on Earth is saltwater crocodile. You can see a unique animal at east coast India, in Northern Australia and in the Southeast. The weight of an adult saltwater crocodile reaches 1000 kilograms. Moreover, the length of the reptile can vary from 4 to 6 meters. Mature individuals often reach large sizes. It is worth noting that the predator attacks literally any animal in its area. He is not afraid of enemies, not on land or in water. After a collision with a saltwater crocodile, only a few out of thousands manage to escape.
4
Among carnivores, the largest animal is the elephant seal, or simply the seal. It must immediately be said that males are 5-7 times larger and heavier than females. The average weight of male seals reaches 4 tons. While the weight of females rarely exceeds 900 kilograms. The length can reach 3 meters. In females it usually varies in the range of 1 meter. Seals rarely act as a threat to humans. Provocations can by no means lead to death. If you encounter a seal, you should not attract attention. This will be enough for the meeting to end without incident!
5
polar bear and Kodiak
Among the largest carnivores that live on land are the white polar bear and the Kodiak bear. It was not for nothing that two bearish representatives found themselves in the ranking. The fact is that they are almost the same in size. However, the Kodiak bear and the polar explorer are different types. The height of both reaches 1.6 meters. Bears grow no more than 3 meters in length. The largest members of the family weigh close to tons. Despite such dimensions, it is impossible to escape from a bear. When faced with a predator without a large-caliber weapon, you can only rely on prayer.
6
Chinese giant salamander
The largest animals among amphibians include Chinese salamander, the length of which reaches 1.8 meters. A unique creature is located in the mountain lakes and rocky areas of China. It is worth noting that due to rapid environmental pollution, the number of salamanders is rapidly decreasing. Interestingly, the Chinese didn’t care much about the salamander anyway. Amphibian meat is used in traditional Chinese medicine. According to oriental medicine, salamander products effectively treat even cancer.
7
Flemish Giant
In the ranking among hares or rabbits, the leader's place of honor is occupied by Flemish giant. Based on the name, you can already guess where the rabbits were bred. The breeding of domesticated hares began in the sixteenth century in the city of Ghent (Belgium). It is worth adding that the weight of the largest of the rabbits is up to 14 kilograms. In size it can be as big as a dog. Adults reach a length of 90 centimeters. The flagships are currently experimenting with breeding even larger individuals.
Several million years ago, dinosaurs were the largest animals on the planet. Some of them surprise with their size and weight to this day. But who is the largest animal on the planet today?(the rating is based on data on the weight, height and length of the animals)
Blue whale
1. Even the biggest dinosaurs can't match the size blue whale. He rightfully bears the title biggest animal of all time. This animal reaches thirty meters in length. For clarity, you can imagine that the length of the whale’s body, including its tail, is equal to the height of a standard nine-story building. The body weight of these giants is about 180 tons. The tongue alone weighs about 3 tons, like a female Indian elephant. And the weight of his heart is comparable to the weight of a small car - about 600 kg. Despite their size, whales reach speeds of up to 35 km/h. Lungs of impressive size allow animals to stay under water for up to 20 minutes, and the fountain that appears when exhaling rises up to 10 meters above the surface of the water.
Sperm whale
2. Sperm whale - one of the largest animals on the planet. Males can grow up to 20 meters in length and weigh up to 50 tons. Females have more modest sizes - 11-13 meters in length, and they weigh about 15 tons. Moreover, in adult individuals the head makes up about 35% of the total body length. There are larger specimens, but they are extremely rare.
African elephant
3. Largest land animal - African elephant- takes third place in this peculiar ranking. With a length of about 6-7 m and a height of 3-3.5 m, these animals weigh 6-12 tons. Interestingly, African elephants can run faster than humans (35-40 km/h), eat 300 kg of vegetation per day, sleep standing up and mourn the dead, like people.
Indian elephant
4. Indian elephant also has impressive dimensions. The body length of these Asian giants is 5.5-6 m, the tail is also quite large - 1-1.5 m. The height of the elephant, equal to 2.5-3.5 m, is comparable to the height of the wall of an apartment in a standard high-rise building. The body weight of Indian elephants can reach 5 tons. Females are inferior in size and weight to males. These animals live in groups led by a female and communicate with each other using various sounds, trunk gestures and postures.
Sea Elephant
5. Southern elephant seal although he ranks fifth among the largest animals on the planet, he is unconditional leader in size among carnivores. Elephant seals can reach lengths of up to 6 meters and body weights of up to 4 tons. These animals are able to remain underwater for a very long time (the official record is almost 2 hours) and dive under water to more than 1300 m. It is also worth noting that elephant seals spend almost their entire lives in the ocean.
6. Average weight hippopotamus (hippopotamus)- 3 tons, but this is not the limit, since these animals gain weight throughout their lives. After 10 years of life, males begin to increase body weight faster than females, subsequently this difference becomes more noticeable. The height of the hippopotamus is about 1.5-1.65 m, the body length exceeds 3 m, and sometimes 5. Fun fact: the skin of a hippopotamus alone can weigh half a ton. And hippopotamus teeth grow throughout their lives and can reach half a meter in length.
White rhinoceros
7. White rhinoceros is the second largest terrestrial herbivore in the world. Adult individuals can grow up to 3.8-4.2 m in length and up to 1.5-2 m in height. The average weight of these animals is approximately 3 tons, but there are individuals weighing up to 8 tons. Interestingly, white rhinoceroses are not actually white. Their body color is gray, and they have two sharp keratin horns on their heads.
8. Walrus- an ancient large animal. Walrus fossils found in San Francisco Bay that are approximately 28,000 years old prove that walruses existed during the last Ice Age. Now, as then, these giants, about 3 m long and weighing up to 2 tons, are well adapted to life in the icy waters of the Arctic. And who would have thought that the favorite delicacy of these big guys is shellfish meat.
Black rhinoceros
9. Black rhinoceros somewhat finer than white. The weight of these animals rarely exceeds 1.5 tons, and the body length is 3-3.5 m. Despite their fairly large size, black rhinoceroses are actively destroyed by people for various needs. Their poor eyesight and habit of walking along almost the same paths make them easy prey for hunters. Black rhinoceroses have no natural enemies, therefore, if these large animals one day disappear, it will be entirely the fault of man.
10. Saltwater crocodile occupies the penultimate place in the TOP 10. He surpasses other participants in body length, which can reach 5 meters, but is inferior to them in weight ( Weight Limit up to 1.5 t). However, the saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile on the planet.
Modern animals are in no way inferior in size to dinosaurs, and sometimes even surpass them. To maintain this situation, humanity needs to be aware of the consequences of its actions and protect the environment.
P.S. Download the finished presentation for school " "
24.03.2013
Do you know which ones are the most big animals on the ground? Then you can view this top 10 and find out which one is the best big animal, although this list contains various species, both terrestrial and underwater inhabitants, birds, etc. But they are all huge in relation to the animals we see every day.
10. Giant green anaconda
The largest and heaviest snake in the world. Belongs to the subfamily of boas. The largest recorded individual reached 11.43 m in length. Weighs about 60 kg. It has a grayish-green color with brown spots. It lives mainly in the tropical zone South America. Loves water and very rarely leaves bodies of water. It differs in that it can swim and dive superbly. It feeds on rodents, young crocodiles, birds and turtles. It very rarely attacks large animals, and attacks humans only in case of self-defense. It strangles the victim and swallows it.
9. Southern Elephant Seal
One of the largest animals on earth and the largest seal species in the world. The largest recorded specimens reached 6.5 m and 3.5 tons. But its trunk is shorter than that of its relatives - only 10 cm. The total number is about 750 thousand individuals. Colonies of the southern elephant seal are located on the subantarctic archipelagos and islands: South Georgia, Kerguelen, Heard, Macquarie.
8. African ostrich
The largest bird in the world. Its height reaches 250 cm, weight up to 150 kg. It cannot fly, but it runs at speeds of up to 70 km/h, taking steps of 3.5-4 m. If necessary, it can abruptly change the direction of movement without changing speed. Contrary to popular belief, it does not hide its head in the sand, but can “drop” it on the ground from fatigue after a long run.
7. Saltwater crocodile
The saltwater crocodile is the largest of the crocodiles. Body length is up to 7 m in males, up to 3 m in females. Adult males can gain weight up to 1000 kg. Most often found on the shores of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. But it also makes its way to other popular resorts. Capable of making long voyages on the open sea. It is extremely dangerous on the shore or in shallow water, where it is easy for it to sneak up on prey. Every year many people become its victims.
6. Polar bear
Other names: polar, northern, sea bear, oshkuy. Can reach 3 m in length and 1000 kg of body weight. The largest representatives are found in the Bering Sea. It differs from other bears by its flat head and long neck. Hunts seals, bearded seals, walruses, and fish. A very thick layer of subcutaneous fat and thick fur help it survive in cold and icy water.
5. Giraffe
The tallest animal. Lives in the savannas of Africa. Height up to 6 m, body weight up to 1,200 kg. Despite its unusually long neck, like other mammals, it has only seven cervical vertebrae. But he has a very strong heart, capable of passing 60 liters of blood per minute and creating a pressure three times greater than that of a person. Consumes about 30 kg of plant food daily. The color of a giraffe is unique, like human fingerprints.
4. White rhinoceros
Second in size big animal land after the elephant. Body length up to 4.2 m, weight up to 5 tons, height at the shoulders up to 2 m. Actually, it is not white at all, but dark gray. The name most likely came from a corruption of the Boer word wijde (wide, wide-faced), consonant with the English white (white). He has two horns, which he successfully uses in fights with rivals. Lives in South and North-West Africa. Feeds on herbaceous vegetation.
3. Hippopotamus
Belongs to the order Artiodactyla, suborder Porciniformes. Distributed on the African continent. Weight can reach 4 tons, length up to 5.4 m. Leads a predominantly semi-aquatic lifestyle. The mouth of a hippopotamus can open unusually wide – 150 degrees. Interestingly, the hippopotamus is capable of running very fast on land. Quite an aggressive animal. When provoked by a person, it is capable of unexpectedly attacking.
2. African elephant
Mammal of the order Proboscis. Height at the shoulders is up to 4 m, weight - 7.5 tons. Habitat - Africa south of the Sahara. Includes two modern looking– savanna elephant and forest elephant. More than their Indian relatives and the most big animal among the land ones. There are only 500-600 thousand of these giants left in nature. An unusually intelligent animal, capable of mutual assistance and mutual assistance. For example, if one elephant cannot get rid of an attached leech, another can take a stick and free his friend from the bloodsucker. The same applies to.
1. Blue whale
The amazing planet Earth is home to a large number of animals, among which there are mighty giants, ferocious predators and cautious hunters. Let's take a closer look at our neighbors on the planet, because the role of each of them in the cycle of life is unique.
The largest creature on the planet is the Blue Whale
It was given this name for its ability to glow blue underwater. It is twice the size of a subway car, its heart is comparable in size to a small car, and its tongue weighs as much as an African elephant. Of all the animals that have ever existed on the planet, this is the largest in weight. more than 180 tons and length about 30 meters. It is very difficult to meet, despite its size, the reason for this is whaling. This is the only mammal that can “sing” while making cooing sounds. Each whale's tail is unique, like a fingerprint. Despite their enormous size, whales' throats are no larger than a plate. However, the ancient people did not know about this, making up legends about sailors swallowed by whales that wandered through his stomach for months.
Legendary sea animal – Sperm Whale
Just like whales, they communicate with each other by making clicking sounds that are louder than a shotgun blast. Thanks to this ability, they can hear each other many kilometers away. The sperm whale also hunts with the help of sounds, disorienting its prey in space. These sounds are not safe for humans and can even cause shock. His eye is polarized, he sees in darkness that is difficult for us to even imagine. Its brain is the largest and weighs the largest among all mammals about 9 kg. It grows throughout its life.
The most emotional giant - the African southern elephant
The wild lands of Kenya are a real kingdom of elephants. With one leg this giant weighs up to 12 tons capable of easily knocking down a large tree. They value friendship and family ties as not many animals do. They have emotions just like us. They are even aware of their own mortality and carry out a kind of burial ritual, throwing earth and branches at the deceased. There are about 500 muscles in an elephant’s trunk, and little elephants can learn to control this complex organ up to two years of age. Another feature of them is their tusks. Like humans, elephants can be left-handed or right-handed, and since they use tusks instead of hands, they often come in different lengths. Despite their enormous growth, these are very gentle animals.
The largest animal with an unusual shape is the giraffe.
Ancient legends tell of strange spotted animals with cow-like hooves and long necks wandering the plains of Africa. Their appearance delights anyone who sees them for the first time - this is a giraffe. With growth more than 5 meters it may seem clumsy, but it is an unusually graceful and flexible animal. The giraffe's tongue is so long (up to half a meter) that it can clean its ears with it. The life of a newborn cub begins with a fall from a two-meter height. This is a very good-natured animal with a huge heart in the literal sense. The fact is that the giraffe’s head is three meters from the heart and in order to supply blood to such a height the pressure must be very high, for this you need a giant heart weighing 10 kg.
Arctic superpredator - Polar polar bear
This predator is the largest of all living on land on our planet. Its weight can reach up to 800 kg. He is an almost perfect killing machine - one of the most ferocious and cruel predators on the planet. He is a skilled hunter, capable of standing at an ice hole without moving in the frosty wind for more than two hours. It has unique abilities to survive in very cold conditions and can tolerate temperatures in excess of 80 degrees. The bear's skin is black, which allows it to better absorb heat from the sun. He has excellent eyesight and sense of smell. It can see and smell its prey from many kilometers away. This is a solitary predator that lives and dies completely alone to avoid fighting for territory and food. This is a unique animal that, despite its weight, can swim up to 200 km. When hunting, in order to blend into the surrounding landscape, the bear covers its nose with its paw.
A real "sailor" - Saltwater crocodile
Illustrious patron of lumps of water, formidable prehistoric giant, which has survived to this day, is the largest reptile in the world. There is an opinion that sharks are the greatest danger in the ocean, but this huge seven-meter representative of reptiles weighing a ton has perfectly adapted to salt water. This giant looks terrifying. The powerful tail is no less dangerous than the jaws and has a very large range of action. It is needed to stun fish and can knock down a buffalo. The crocodile is an excellent swimmer and a patient hunter, capable of waiting for its prey for a long time with only its nostrils and eyes out of the water. During a dive, blood circulation throughout the body except the brain will slow down, which allows it to perceive what is happening well. It can jump two meters out of the water after its prey.
River horse of African rivers - Hippopotamus
Despite having tusks and a mouth that opens wider than any mammal on earth, they are herbivores, but still deadly. The ancient Greeks called them river horses. They seem peaceful and sweet, but their appearance is deceiving. This is a huge three-ton machine. They are faster than most people on both land and water. They can reach speeds of about 50 kilometers per hour. This mega mammal with thirty centimeter teeth and jaws is capable of swallowing an adult human. They can hear with the help of their jaws, and their amazing 4 cm thick skin is able to withstand even a lion. The stomach of this giant reaches three meters, which allows it to eat about 200 kg of grass per day. Their sweat has special properties that protect the skin from the sun. When they are angry, their sweat turns red.
Queen of Snakes - Giant Green Anaconda
The symbol of the Amazon is a mass of writhing muscles, the largest snake in the world. This ten-meter water boa constrictor has a punching speed that would make any boxer jealous. A mysterious creature that is both frightening and fascinating. Cunning and cunning, combined with their method of movement, enhances their mystical, eerie charm. Its diet includes deer, wild boar, caimans, and sometimes jaguars. After eating its prey, the snake may not awn for about a month. During a drought, it buries itself in the silt, goes into torpor, and in this state waits out the dry period at the bottom of the reservoir.
Best sprinter - African ostrich
This giant bird has big eyes, excellent vision and can see up to 5 kilometers. Thanks to the amazing structure of their eyes, they can look behind them without turning their heads. They cannot fly - the muscles to which the wings are attached are underdeveloped and the feathers serve only as decoration. But such a runner does not necessarily need to fly, because in one step he covers up to 8 meters and can run at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour. There are only two toes on their feet. The eggs of these birds are the largest in the bird world. Contrary to the prevailing stereotype, they do not know how to hide their heads in the sand. Seeing danger, they spread out on the ground and stretch their necks, masquerading as the natural landscape.
Giant guinea pig - capybara
This small animal is also a giant among its relatives - rabbits and guinea pigs. This unusual animal is the largest rodent in the world, weighing up to 70 kilograms. This South American is very sociable and loves to swim. These animals love water so much that they do almost everything in the water: they eat, breed, and even sleep. Their teeth grow throughout their lives, this explains the habit of constantly gnawing on everything in order to grind down their incisors. This affectionate and sociable exotic animal has now become fashionable to keep as a pet.