Largest mammals

The Blue Whale is the heaviest 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, but not in weight. The maximum recorded weight was 190 metric tons (210 short tons) for a specimen measuring 30 m (98 ft), while longer ones, up to 33.3 m (109 ft), 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 100 kg (220 lb). The largest elephant ever recorded was shot in Angola in 1956. It was a male and weighed 24,000 lb (11,000 kg), with an overall length (trunk to tail) of 10 m (33 ft) and a shoulder height of 3.96 m (13.0 ft).

Monotreme mammals (Monotremata)

The largest extant monotreme is the Western Long-beaked Echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) weighing up to 16.5 kg (36.4 lb) and measuring 1 m (3.3 ft) 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 100 kg (220 lb).

Marsupials (Marsupialia)

The Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) is the largest living marsupial. The maximum size of these lanky mammals is 100 kg (220 lb) and 1.92 m (6.3 ft) tall. Many much larger marsupials existed prehistorically, the largest of which was Diprotodon. This rhino-sized herbivore would have easily exceed 2 tonnes (4,400 lb), 3.3 m (11 ft) in length and 1.83 m (6 ft) in height. The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the largest living carnivorous marsupial. The maximum size of these stocky mammals is 10 kg (22.2 lb) and 91 cm (3 ft) long. The largest ever carnivorous marsupial would have been the Marsupial Lion (Thylacoleo) and the saber-toothed metatherian Thylacosmilus (technically a marsupial relative, not a true marsupial), both ranging from 5 ft (1.5 m) to 6 ft (1.8 m) long and weighing between 100 kg to 160 kg.

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 65 kg, although individuals as large as 100 kg (220 lb) 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 4,500 kg (10,000 lb), 4.8 m (16 ft) long and 1.66 m (5.5 ft) tall. The longest-bodied species, and tallest of all living land animals, is the Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), measuring up to 5.8 m (19.3 ft), and despite being relatively slender, reaching a top weight of 2,000 kg (4,850 lb). Largest bovids are The Water Buffalo (Bubalis arnee), 400 to 900 kg (880 to 2,000 lb) for the domestic breeds, while the wild animals are nearly 3 m (9.8 ft) long and 2 m (6.6 ft) tall, weighing up to 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) Gaur (Bos gaurus) can all grow to weights of over 900 kg (2,000 lb). American Bison (Bison bison) 6 feet 6 inches (2 m) tall, 10 feet (3 m) long, and weigh 900 to 2,200 pounds (410 to 1,000 kg). As typical in ungulates, the male bison is slightly larger than the female. The biggest specimens on record have weighed as much as 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg). European Bison (Bison bonasus) 3 m (10 ft) long and 1.8 to 2.2 m (6 to 7 ft) tall, and weighs 300 to 920 kg (660 to 2,000 lb). The world record for the heaviest bull was Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) is bull musk ox size 1.2 m (3 ft 11.2 in) high at the shoulder on average, with females measuring 135 to 200 cm (53.1 to 78.7 in) in length, and males 200 to 250 cm (78.7 to 98.4 in). Adults, on average, weigh 285 kg (628 lb) and range from 180 to 400 kg (397 to 882 lb) 1,740 kilograms (3,840 lb), Largest camelids of Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) Adult males grow to a height of 1.8–2.0 m, and females to 1.7–1.9 m. The weight is usually in the range of 400–600 kg. The largest pig ever recorded was of the breed Poland China (Sus scorfa). It weighed 2,552 lb. (1,157 kg.) in .

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 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) and 6.9 m (22.5 ft) long. Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), most weigh between 800 and 1,800 kg (1,800 and 4,000 lb). Females weigh about two-thirds as much, and the Atlantic subspecies weighs about 90%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 (2,200 lb), 3 m (10 ft) long, and 1.5 m (5 ft) tall at the shoulder. The extinct subspecies of modern polar bear Ursus maritimus tyrannus may be the largest land carnivore in the order (as well as the largest bear) standing 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) at the shoulder, 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) long and with an average weight of 1.2 ton or more. Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Adults measure around 1.5 meters (5 ft) long and around 75 centimeters (2 ft 6 in) tall at the shoulder. Males can weigh up to 150 kilograms (330 lb). Females (generally 10–20% smaller than males) can weigh up to 125 kilograms (276 lb). The largest living member of the Felidae family is the Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) subspecies, which has an average weight of around 500 lb (230 kg)) for males, but can reach around 600-675 lb (270–310 kb) and weights up to 384 kg (845 lb) 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 798 kg (1,759 lb) or 1,756 lb (797 kg) , and a length of 10 ft (3 m). Leopard, (Panthera pardus) 60 kg (132 lb) with 91 kg (200 lb) being the maximum weight attained by a male. Females weigh about 35–40 kg (75–90 lb) on average., Jaguar (Panthera onca) low weights of 36 kilograms (80 lb). Females are typically 10–20% smaller than males. The length of the cat varies from 1.62–1.83 metres (5.3–6 ft), and its tail may add a further 75 centimeters (30 in). It stands about 67–76 centimeters (27–30 in) tall at the shoulders, Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), 36 to 65 kg (79 to 143 lb). Its total body length is from 115 to 135 cm (45 to 53 in), while the tail can measure up to 84 cm (33 in) in length. Cheetahs are 67 to 94 cm (26 to 37 in) Cougar (Puma concolor) 60 to 76 centimeters (2.0 to 2.5 ft) tall at the shoulders. The length of adult males is around 2.4 meters (8 ft) long nose to tail, with overall ranges between 1.5 and 2.75 m (5 and 9 ft) nose to tail suggested for the species 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 (190 lb). The largest member of canidae ever is the extinct member of Borophaginae, Epicyon, which has had two different measurements-one at 101 kilograms (224 lb), and one at 85 kilograms (188 lb).

The orca is the largest oceanic dolphin.

Whales (Cetacea)

The largest whale and animal is the aforementioned blue whale, a baleen whale (Mysticeti). The largest baleen whale Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) maximum recorded weight was 190 metric tons (210 short tons) for a specimen measuring 30 m (98 ft), while longer ones, up to 33.3 m (109 ft) Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengeliae) 12–16 meters (39–52 ft) and weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 lb) North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) 35–55 feet (11–17 m) in length and weigh up to seventy tons (63,500 kg); the largest measured specimens have been 60 feet (18 m) long and 117 tonnes (115 long tons; 129 short tons). Females are larger than males. Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) it can grow to 20 meters (66 ft) in length. Estimated maximum weight of this thick-bodied species is 136 tonnes (134 long tons; 150 short tons). The largest toothed whale (Odontoceti) is the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), bulls of which range usually range up to 18 metres (60 ft) and a mass of 50 tonnes (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 6.5–8 m long (20–25 ft) 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 5.7–7 m (18–22 ft) and a weight of about 5 tonnes. The longest Orca ever recorded was a male off the coast of Japan, measuring 9.8 m (32 ft). Arnoux's Beaked Whale (Berardius arnouxi) to 12m but all dead specimens have been considerably smaller. The Baird's on the other hand have been confirmed to grow to 12-13m. The weight is up to 14,000 kg. Bottlenose Whale (Hyperoodon sp.) 5,800–7,500 kilograms (12,800–16,500 lb) is given somewhat consistently. For the southern bottlenose whale, there is a single figure of 6–8 tonnes. Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) are size (frequently has cookie cutter shark bites and scars from teeth (in males). The whale reaches 5 metres (16 ft) Andrews' Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bowdoini) males 4.5 meters (15 feet). Hubb's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi) beak as well. They reach a length of 5.4 meters (18 feet) and weigh 1500 kg (3300 lbs) Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris) Males reach at least 4.4 meters (14 ft 6 in) and 800 kg (1800 pounds), Gervais' Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) start off with a lighter coloration, but soon darken. Males are 4.5 meters (15') Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon gingkodens) 4.9 meters (16 feet) 4.8 meters Gray's beaked whale (Mesoplodon grayi) Females reach at least 5.3 meters (17 feet 6 inches) whereas males reach 5.7 meters (19 feet) and weigh around 1100 kilograms (2400 pounds). They are believed to be around 2.4 meters (7 feet 10 inches) Hector's beaked whale (Mesoplodon hectori) maximum length of about 4.2 meters (1.9 m when born), and with an estimated weight of about 1 tonne (1.032 tons), Hector's is one the smallest of the beaked whales. Strap-toothed whale (Mesoplodon layardi) Males can reach around 5.9 meters (19 feet 6 inches) whereas females reach 6.2 meters (20 feet) and likely weigh around 1000-1300 kilograms (2200-2900 pounds). This indicates that they are probably the largest species in the genus. Newborn calves may get up to 2.8 meters (9 feet) in length.True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) are present on males. This species reaches around 5.3 meters (17 feet 6 inches) Perrin's beaked whale (Mesoplodon perrini) male specimen was 3.9 meters in length (13 feet) and the female was 4.4 meters (14 feet 8 inches) Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) 2–3 meter (7–10 ft) long tusk. It is an incisor tooth that projects from the left side of the upper jaw and forms a left-handed helix. The tusk can be up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) long (compared with a body length of 4–5 meters (13–16 ft)) and weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 lb). About one in 500 Beluga (Delphinapterus leuca) Male belugas are larger than females. Males can reach 5.5 meters (18 ft) long, while females grow to 4.1 meters (13 ft). Males weigh between 1,100 and 1,600 kilograms (2,400 and 3,500 lb) while females weigh between 700 and 1,200 kilograms (1,500 and 2,600 lb).

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 1.5 kg (3.3 lb), 55 cm (22 in) long, and the wingspan may be almost 1.8 m (6 ft). The Spectral Bat (Vampyrum spectrum), averaging 168 grams (6 oz), 13.5 cm (5¼ in) and about 80 cm (32 in) 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 60 kg (132 lb) and 1.5 m (5 ft) in length. Much larger prehistoric examples are known, especially Glyptodon, which easily topped 2.7 m (9 ft) and 2 tonnes (4,400 lb).

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 2 kg (4.4 lb) and 73 cm (29 in).

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 2 kg (4.4 lb) and 60 cm (24 in).

Hyraxes (Hyracoidea)

The largest species of hyrax seems to be the Cape Hyrax (Procavia capensis), at up to 5.4 kg (12 lb) and 73 cm (29 in) long.

Rabbits, Hares, & Pikas (Lagomorpha)

The largest breed is the Flemish Giant, which is up to 12.7 kg (28 lb), the European Hare (Lepus europaeus), is up to 6.6 kg (14.6 lb) and 76 cm (30 in) 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 4,500 kg (10,000 lb), 4.7 m (15½ ft) long, and 2 m (6½ ft) tall. It is slightly larger than the Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) 140–170 cm (55–67 in) high at the shoulder and is 3.3–3.6 m (11–12 ft) in length. An adult weighs from 800 to 1,400 kg (1,800 to 3,100 lb). Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) are size but at 3.1–3.2 m (10–10.5 feet) in length and 1.4–1.7 m (4.6–5.8 ft) Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) standing about 120–145 centimetres (3.9–4.8 ft) high at the shoulder, with a body length of 250 centimeters (98 in) and weight of 500–800 kilograms (1100–1760 lb) The largest land mammal ever was Paraceratherium or Indricotherium (formerly known as the Baluchitherium), a member of this order. It stood up to 5.5 m (18 ft) tall, measured over 9 m (30 ft) long and may have weighed up to 20 tonnes (22 short tons) though mass estimates vary widely. the largest equid Domestic Horse (Equus ferus caballus) inches. One hand is equal to 101.6 millimetres (4 in). The height is expressed as the number of full hands, followed by a decimal point, then the number of additional inches. Thus, a horse described as "15.2 h" is 15 hands (60 inches (152.4 cm)) plus 2 inches (5.1 cm), for a total of 62 inches (157.5 cm) in height

Pangolins (Pholiodata)

The largest species of scaly anteater is the Giant Pangolin (Manis gigantea), at up to 1.7 m (5.8 ft) and at least 40 kg (88 lb).

Anteaters and sloths (Pilosa)

The largest species is easily the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). A large adult can weigh as much as 65 kg (143 lb) and measure 2.4 m (8 ft) in overall length. The sloths attained much larger sizes prehistorically, the largest of which were Megatherium which, at an estimated average weight of 4.5 tonnes (5 short tons) and height of 5.1 m (17 ft), 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 225 kg (500 lb) and 1.8 m (6 ft) in the wild, with much heavier weights recorded in captivity. Gigantopithecus is the largest known primate ever, probably averaged 3 m (10 ft) tall and weighing 300 to 550 kg (700 to 1,200 lb). 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 636 kg (1,402 lb). However, these are cases of morbid obesity, tumor, and other medical malady. Similarly, humans can attain enormous heights (tallest documented was 8 ft 11 inches (272 cm), Robert Wadlow) due to gigantism. Even when not afflicted with gigantism, humans are the tallest living primates. Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) life span of about 35 to 40 years in the wild; in captivity it can live to be 60. A survey of wild orangutans found that males weigh on average 75 kg (165 lb), ranging from 50–100 kg (110-200 lb), and 1.2-1.4 m (4-4.7 ft) long; females averaging 38.5 kg (82 lb), ranging from 30–50 kg (66-110 lb), and 1-1.2 m (3.3–4 ft) long.

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 5 m (16 ft) tall, and Deinotherium, which may have surpassed 14 tonnes (15 short tons) are generally considered the largest species. However, recent evidence shows that the largest mammoth ever was the Songhua River Mammoth 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. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) tends to grow to around 2 to 3.6 meters (6.6 to 11.8 ft) in height and 3,000–5,000 kilograms (6,600–11,000 lb) in weight.

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 80 kg (180 lb), 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long, and 90 cm (3.0 ft). The largest known rodent ever is Josephoartigasia monesi, an extinct species known only from fossils. It was approximately 3 metres (10 ft) long and 1.5 metres (5 ft) 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 3 m (10 ft) long, with an additional 1.5 m (5 ft) tail, and probably weighed around 700 kg (1,540 lb).

Tree Shrews (Scandentia)

The largest of the tree shrews seems to be the Common Tree Shrew (Tupaia glis), at up to 187 g (6.6 oz) and 40 cm (17 in).

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 1,590 kg (3,500 lb) and 4.1 m (13.5 ft). However, the extinct Steller's Sea Cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) was much larger, growing up to at least 7.9 m (26 ft) long and weighing up to 11 tonnes (12.1 short tons).