There are plenty of animals throughout the world, with over one million different species being found and cataloged thus far. Now, with that many different creatures on our planet, there’s bound to be a lot of diversity. This diversity plays a major role in the size, shape and general appearance of a given animal, as they have adapted to their specific ecosystems to survive better. For example, were you aware that the biggest rodent, which is the same family of animals that includes rats, mice, hamsters, weighs over 100 kilograms? Read on to find out more about the biggest type of animals in the entire world.
6. The Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox — Largest Bat
6. The Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox — Largest Bat
The largest species of bat in the world is the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox, which are an endangered species in the Philippines. Their wingspan can reach a massive 1.8 meters, or 6 feet.
5. Chinese Giant Slamander — Largest Amphibian
5. Chinese Giant Slamander — Largest Amphibian
The Chinese Giant Salamander is both the largest salamander and largest amphibian in the world, and can grow to a whopping 6 feet long. This species is native to the rocky, mountainous streams and lakes within China.
4. Blue Whale — Largest Animal Ever
4. Blue Whale — Largest Animal Ever
The Blue Whale is an enormous animal, which can grow up to 30 meters long and weigh in at 180 tonnes. While that may not sound like all that much, the equivalent would be 2,667 humans at 70 kilograms each, or eight DC-9 airplanes, which weigh in at 22.7 tonnes each. Imagine that, a massive fish weighing the same as eight airplanes.
3. Southern Elephant Seal — Largest Carnivore
3. Southern Elephant Seal — Largest Carnivore
The Southern Elephant Seal is the largest carnivore currently gracing our planet. Females average between 900 and 2,000 lbs at a length of 8 to 10 feet, while males (bulls) are 5,000 to 9,000 lbs with a length between 15ft and 19ft. The largest one ever recorded was found in 1913 in South Georgia and weighed a massive 11,000 lbs.
2. Japanese Spider Crab — Largest Arthropod
2. Japanese Spider Crab — Largest Arthropod
The Japanese Spider Crab lives in the waters surrounding Japan, and has the largest leg span of any arthropod. While they can only reach weights of 20 kilograms, their leg span is enormous, clocking in at 3.8 meters. Surprisingly, they can also outlive humans, as they are known to live up to 100 years.
1. Dalmatian Pelican — The Heaviest Flying Bird
1. Dalmatian Pelican — The Heaviest Flying Bird
The Dalmatian Pelican is the largest type of pelican in the world, averaging between 1.6 and 1.8 meters long, with a weight of over 12 kilograms. Their wingspan is generally in excess of three meters; yes you read that right.
