subject: Largest Organisms - Rear Projection Bulb Manufacturer - Projector Lens [print this page] Vertebrates Vertebrates
Mammals (Mammalia)
The Blue Whale is the largest known animal in the world.
A member of the order Cetacea, the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is believed to be the heaviest animal to have ever lived, with the largest extinct sauropods believed to surpass the blue whale in terms of dimensions,[citation needed] but not in weight. The maximum recorded weight was 190metric tons (210 short tons) for a specimen measuring 30m (98ft), while longer ones, up to 33.3m (109ft), have been recorded but not weighed.
The African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana), of the order Proboscidea, is the largest living land animal. At birth it is common for an elephant calf to weigh 100kg (220lb). The largest elephant ever recorded was shot in Angola in 1974. It was a male and weighed 27,000lb (12,000kg), with an overall length (trunk to tail) of 10.6m (35ft) and a shoulder height of 4.2m (14ft).
Monotreme mammals (Monotremata)
The largest extant monotreme is the Western Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) weighing up to 16.5kg (36.4lb) and measuring 1m (3.3ft) long. The largest monotreme (egg-bearing mammal) ever was the extinct echidna species Zaglossus hacketti, known only from a few bones found in Western Australia. It was the size of a sheep, weighing probably up to 100kg (220lb).
Marsupials (Marsupialia)
The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest living marsupial. The maximum size of these lanky mammals is 100kg (220lb) and 1.92m (6.3ft) tall. Many much larger marsupials existed prehistorically, the largest of which was Diprotodon. This rhino-sized herbivore would have easily exceed 2 tonnes (4,400lb), 3.3m (11ft) in length and 1.83m (6ft) in height. The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the largest living carnivorous marsupial. The maximum size of these stocky mammals is 10kg (22.2lb) and 91cm (3ft) long. The largest ever carnivorous marsupial to exist would have been the Marsupial Lion (Thylacoleo) and the Saber-toothed Marsupial (Thylacosmilus) both ranging from 5ft (1.5m) to 6ft (1.8m) long and weighing between 100kg to 160kg.
Non-Paenungulate Afrotherians (Afroinsectiphilia)
The largest species of this clade (which also contains elephant shrews, tenrecs and golden moles) is the Aardvark (Orycteropus afer). Aardvarks are typically up to 1.3 m in length with a weight of up to 65kg, although individuals as large as 100kg (220lb) are recorded.
The African Bush Elephant, the largest living terrestrial animal.
Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla)
The largest species in terms of weight is the Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), reaching a maximum size of 4,500kg (10,000lb), 4.8m (16ft) long and 1.66m (5.5ft) tall. The longest-bodied species, and tallest of all living land animals, is the Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), measuring up to 5.8m (19.3ft), and despite being relatively slender, reaching a top weight of 2,000kg (4,850lb).
Carnivores (Carnivora)
The largest species is now, with the inclusion of the Pinnipedia, the Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina) from the Phocidae family. The top size recorded for this species was 5,000kg (11,000lb) and 6.9m (22.5ft) long. The largest living land carnivores are the Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) and the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), both from the Ursidae family and both exceptionally exceeding 1 tonne (2,200lb), 3m (10ft) long, and 1.5m (5ft) tall at the shoulder. The extinct Giant Short-Faced Bear (Arctodus simus) may be the largest land carnivore in the order (as well as the largest bear) with an estimated average weight of 600800kg (1,3201,760lb). The largest living member of the Felidae family is the Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) subspecies, which has an average weight of around 500lb (230 kg)) for males, but can reach around 600-675lb (270310 kb) and weights up to 384kg (845lb) are unconfirmed. Even larger were the extinct American Lion (Panthera leo atrox) and the Smilodon populator, a saber-toothed cat. The Liger (Panthera tigris Panthera leo), the zoo-kept crossbreed of a male Lion and a female Tiger, can reach an obese 798kg (1,759lb) or 1,756lb (797kg)[citation needed], and a length of 10ft (3m). The largest known extant member of canidae is the wolf, though it could be one of two subspecies-either the Mackenzie Valley Wolf (Canis lupus occidentalis), with a record of 79 kilograms (174 lb) or the Eurasian Wolf (Canis lupus lupus), with an unnoficial weight of 86 kilograms (190lb). The largest member of canidae ever is the extinct member of Borophaginae, Epicyon, which has had two different measurements-one at 101 kilograms (224lb), and one at 85 kilograms (188lb).
Whales (Cetacea)
The largest whale and animal is the aforementioned blue whale, a baleen whale (Mysticeti). The largest toothed whale (Odontoceti) is the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), bulls of which range usually range up to 18 metres (60ft) and a mass of 50tonnes (55 short tons), but may possibly grow considerably larger. The Orca or Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family (Delphinidae). Males normally grow from 6.58 m long (2025ft) and weigh in excess of 6 tonnes; it has been reported that especially large males have reached nearer 8 tonnes. Females are smaller, growing from 5.77 m (1822ft) and a weight of about 5 tonnes. The longest Orca ever recorded was a male off the coast of Japan, measuring 9.8m (32ft).
The orca is the largest oceanic dolphin.
Bats (Chiroptera)
The largest bat species is the Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), a rare fruit bat and endangered species that is part of the megabat family. The maximum size is believed to approach 1.5kg (3.3lb), 55cm (22in) long, and the wingspan may be almost 1.8m (6ft). The Spectral Bat (Vampyrum spectrum), averaging 168 grams (6 oz), 13.5cm (5in) and about 80cm (32in) in wingspan, is believed to be the largest carnivorous bat, belonging to the microbat family.
Armadillos (Cingulata)
The extant giant of this group is the Giant Armadillo (Priodontes maximus). The top size for this species is 60kg (132lb) and 1.5m (5ft) in length. Much larger prehistoric examples are known, especially Glyptodon, which easily topped 2.7m (9ft) and 2 tonnes (4,400lb).
Colugos (Dermoptera)
Of the two colugo species in the order Dermoptera of gliding arboreal mammals in southeast Asia, the largest and most common is the Sunda Flying Lemur (Cynocephalus varigatus). The maximum size is 2kg (4.4lb) and 73cm (29in).
Hedgehogs, gymnures, shrews, and moles (Erinaceomorpha & Soricomorpha)
The largest of these two orders of small mammals is the Greater Moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura), the maximum size of which is over 2kg (4.4lb) and 60cm (24in).
Hyraxes (Hyracoidea)
The largest species of hyrax seems to be the Cape Hyrax (Procavia capensis), at up to 5.4kg (12lb) and 73cm (29in) long.
Rabbits, Hares, & Pikas (Lagomorpha)
The largest breed is the Flemish Giant, which is up to 12.7kg (28lb), the European Hare (Lepus europaeus), is up to 6.6kg (14.6lb) and 76cm (30in) long.
The Largest odd-toed ungulates White Rhinoceros
Odd-toed Ungulates (Perissodactyla)
The largest extant species is the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). The largest size this species can attain is 4,500kg (10,000lb), 4.7m (15ft) long, and 2m (6ft) tall.. It is slightly larger than the Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). The largest land mammal ever was Paraceratherium or Indricotherium (formerly known as the Baluchitherium), a member of this order. It stood up to 5.5m (18ft) tall, measured over 9m (30ft) long and may have weighed up to 20tonnes (22short tons) though mass estimates vary widely.
Pangolins (Pholiodata)
The largest species of scaly anteater is the Giant Pangolin (Manis gigantea), at up to 1.7m (5.8ft) and at least 40kg (88lb).
Anteaters and sloths (Pilosa)
The largest species is easily the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). A large adult can weigh as much as 65kg (143lb) and measure 2.4m (8ft) in overall length. The sloths attained much larger sizes prehistorically, the largest of which were Megatherium which, at an estimated average weight of 4.5tonnes (5short tons) and height of 5.1m (17ft), was about the same size as the African Bush Elephant.
The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is the largest living primate.
Primates (Primates)
The Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) is the largest living primate. The maximum size of a male gorilla can be over 225kg (500lb) and 1.8m (6ft) in the wild, with much heavier weights recorded in captivity. Gigantopithecus is the largest known primate ever, probably averaged 3m (10ft) tall and weighing 300 to 550kg (700 to 1,200lb). It lived from around five million years ago to about 300,000 years ago in the region of India and China.
Humans (Homo sapiens) can attain massive weights (largest ever documented human, Jon Brower Minnoch, was 636kg (1,400lb). However, these are cases of morbid obesity, tumor, and other medical malady. Similarly, humans can attain enormous heights (tallest documented was 8 ft 11inches (272cm), Robert Wadlow) due to gigantism. Even when not afflicted with gigantism, humans are the tallest living primates.
Elephants, mammoths, and mastodons (Proboscidea)
Most extinct species in the order Proboscidea, such as mammoths and mastodons, did not dwarf the modern African Bush Elephant. The Imperial Mammoth, standing up to 5m (16ft) tall, and Deinotherium, which may have surpassed 14tonnes (15short tons) are generally considered the largest species. However, recent evidence shows that the largest mammoth ever was the Songhua River Mammoth[citation needed] of China. Mammuthus trogontherii and Deinotherium were also enormous, rivaling the Songhua River Mammoth in size. While African elephants do not normally exceed 7 tonnes in weight, some 'freak' specimens can exceed 12 tonnes, placing the modern African elephant in the list of the largest probiscids ever.
Rodents (Rodentia)
The largest living rodent is the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), native to most of the tropical and temperate parts of South America east of the Andes, always near water. Full-grown capybaras can reach a top size of 80kg (180lb), 1.5m (4.9ft) long, and 90cm (3.0ft). The largest known rodent ever is Josephoartigasia monesi, an extinct species known only from fossils. It was approximately 3metres (10ft) long and 1.5metres (5ft) tall, and is estimated to have weighed around 1 tonne. Prior to the description of J. monesi, the largest known rodent species was Phoberomys insolita. However, this species is known only from very incomplete remains and so its size cannot be estimated with any precision. An almost complete skeleton of its slightly smaller Late Miocene relative Phoberomys pattersoni was discovered in Venezuela in 2000; it was 3m (10ft) long, with an additional 1.5m (5ft) tail, and probably weighed around 700kg (1,540lb).
Tree Shrews (Scandentia)
The largest of the tree shrews seems to be the Common Tree Shrew (Tupaia glis), at up to 187g (6.6oz) and 40cm (17in).
Dugongs and manatees (Sirenia)
The largest living species in the order Sirenia of dugongs and manatees is the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus). The maximum size of this species is 1,590kg (3,500lb) and 4.1m (13.5ft). However, the extinct Steller's Sea Cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) was much larger, growing up to at least 7.9m (26ft) long and weighing up to 11tonnes (12.1short tons).
Reptiles (Reptilia)
The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile.
The largest living reptile, a representative of the order Crocodilia, is the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), with adult males being typically 4.5 to 5m (15 to 17ft) long. The largest confirmed saltwater crocodile on record was 20ft8in (6.30m) long, and weighed over 3,000lb (1,360kg). Unconfirmed reports of much larger crocodiles exist, but examinations of incomplete remains have never suggested a length greater than 7m (23ft).. Also, a living specimen estimated at 7m (23ft) and 2,000kg (4,400lb) has been accepted by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Extinct crocodilians were sometimes much larger, such as Deinosuchus, at up to 12m (40ft) and 9tonnes (10tons), Sarcosuchus imperator, also at up to 12m (40ft) and 13.6tonnes (15tons), and Purussaurus, which was 12m (40ft) as well, and Rhamphosuchus, possibly up to 18m (60ft) long.
Lizards & snakes (Squamata)
The most massive member of this reptilian superorder is the Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus). The maximum verified size is 7m (23ft) and 250kg (550lb), although rumors of larger anacondas persist. The Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) is longer but much lighter, and can be up to 8.7m (28ft). The largest overall venomous snake is the South American Bushmaster (Lachesis muta), capable of growing 3.65m (12ft) long and 8.5kg (19lb). The longest venomous snake is the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), with lengths of up to 5.7m (18.7ft), but with a weight of 6kg (13lb). The heaviest venomous snake on record is a captive Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), which weighed over 12kg (26lb). The largest of the living lizards is the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis), at a maximum size of 3.13m (10ft3in) long and 166kg (366lb). The largest-ever member of the order was probably one of the giant mosasaurs, such as Hainosaurus, Mosasaurus, or Tylosaurus, all of which grew to around 15m (50ft). Some prehistoric snakes such as Gigantophis and Madtsoia are thought to have been as big as or bigger than anacondas and pythons, but the fossil remains are too incomplete for accurate determination of the size of the complete snake. They may be superseded by the 2009 discovery of Titanoboa, a snake that scientists believe can grow to a length of 13m (42ft) on average. The prehistoric Megalania prisca (or Varanus priscus) is the largest terrestrial squamate known, but the lack of a complete skeleton has resulted in a wide range of size estimates. Molnar's 2004 assessment resulted in an average weight of 320kilograms (710lb), and a maximum of 1,940kilograms (4,300lb) at 7metres (23ft) in length, which is toward the high end of the early estimates.
Plesiosaurs (Plesiosauria); now extinct
The largest known plesiosaur was Mauisaurus haasti, growing to around 20 metres in length.
Ichthyosaurs (Ichthyosauria); now extinct
The largest of these marine reptiles (extinct for 90 million years) was the species Shonisaurus sikanniensis, at approximately 21m (70ft) long.
Tuataras (Sphenodontia)
The larger of the two extant species of tuatara is the Brothers Island Tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri). The maximum size is 1.4kg (3.1lb) and 76cm (30in).
Turtles (Testudines)
The largest living turtle is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), reaching a maximum length of nearly 2.7m (9ft) and a weight of 932kg (2,050lb). There are many extinct turtles that vie for the title of the largest ever. The largest seems to be Archelon ischyros, which reached a length of 4.84m (16ft) across the flippers and a weight of 2,200kg (4,500lb). The Galpagos tortoise and the Aldabra Giant Tortoise can both exceed 300kg (660lb) and 130cm (52in), and are considered the largest truly terrestrial reptiles alive today. A much larger tortoise survived until about 2000 years ago, Meiolania at about 2.5m (8ft) long and well over a ton.
Pterosaurs (Pterosauria); now extinct
A dinosaur-era reptile (although not actually a dinosaur) is believed to have been the largest flying animal that ever existed: the pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus northropi. The maximum size of this soaring giant was believed to have been about 127kg (280lb) and 12m (40ft) across the wings. Another possible contender for the largest pterosaur is Hatzegopteryx, which is also estimated to have had a 12m wingspan.
Dinosaurs (Dinosauria)
See also: dinosaur size
Now extinct, except for theropod descendants, the Aves.
Scale diagram comparing a human and the largest known dinosaurs of the four suborders.
Size comparison of selected giant sauropod dinosaurs. Sauroposeidon (blue), Argentinosaurus (violet), and Amphicoelias fragillimus (red) size estimates are based on fragmentary fossil evidence.
All of the largest dinosaurs, and the largest animals to ever live on land, were the plant-eating Sauropoda. The tallest and heaviest sauropod known from a complete skeleton is the Giraffatitan which was discovered in Tanzania between 1907 and 1912, and is now mounted in the Humboldt Museum of Berlin. It is 12m (38ft) tall, and probably weighed between 30,00060,000kg (3065 short tons). The longest is the 25m (82ft) long Diplodocus which was discovered in Wyoming, and mounted in Pittsburgh's Carnegie Natural History Museum in 1907.
There were larger sauropods, but they are known from only a few bones. The current record-holders were all discovered since 1970, and include the massive Argentinosaurus, which may have weighed 80,000100,000kg (90 to 110short tons); the longest, the 35m (112ft) long Supersaurus; and the tallest, the 18m (60ft) Sauroposeidon, which could have reached into a 6th-floor window. Diplodocus hallorum (formerly known as Seismosaurus) was once thought to have been about 50m (170ft) long, making it the longest known vertebrate, but later reconstructions estimate the length at 35m (115ft).
