The animal kingdom is filled with diverse creatures of every shape and size; some stand out for their sheer mass and grandeur. From ocean depths to vast plains in Africa’s Savanna ecosystems, these natural wonders inspire wonder and amazement in us all.
Do you know which animal holds the title of the world’s heaviest? Join us as we uncover seven of nature’s majestic giants! Prepare yourself to be stunned by nature’s unbelievable spectacle!
7 Heaviest Animals in The World
1: Blue Whale
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), one of our ocean giants, holds the record as being Earth’s heaviest animal. According to BBC Earth, adult blue whales weigh between 2 lakh and 3 lakh pounds (100 to 150 tons); their weight can equal 40 elephants!
Due to various factors, including their massive size, thick layers of blubber, and dense bone structures, blue whales weigh anywhere between 185-1900 tons (370,000 pounds). Individual whales have been recorded weighing between 185-200 tons (370,000). One female has ever tipped the scales at 4,18,878 pounds, weighing equal to 30 elephants or 2,500 people! Upon birth, a newborn whale may weigh 3 tons before gradually adding 200 pounds daily in its first year of life.
Not only this, but their anatomy also greatly determines their weight. A blue whale’s heart can weigh as much as an entire car: 400 pounds! They boast large lungs with the capacity of holding approximately 5,000 liters of air, while their tongue may even surpass that of an elephant at 5,952 pounds weighing equivalent. Dense bones also contribute significantly to weight.
2: Elephants
African elephants typically weigh 12,000 pounds, Asian ones approximately 8800-15000, and African forest elephants also fall within this range.
Elephants are among the heaviest land animals on the planet. Their weight results from several factors, including large body size, muscular build, and dense bone structures. An African Savannah male adult elephant recently set an all-time weight record by weighing over 24,000 pounds!
3: Rhinoceros
The rhinoceros is one of the world’s heaviest animals, and it has five distinct species: white Rhinoceros, Black Rhinoceros, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros, and Sumatran rhinoceros.
- White Rhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum): These animals typically weigh around 7700 pounds on average; the largest one ever recorded was approximately 10,100.
- Indian Rhinoceros(Rhinoceros unicornis): These rhinoceroses usually range in weight between 4000-6500 pounds on average.
- Black Rhinoceros(Diceros bicornis): The average weight varies from 1760 to 3080 pounds.
- Javan Rhinoceros(Rhinoceros sondaicus): usually weigh around 5000 pounds.
- Sumatran Rhinoceros(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis): as the smallest rhino, weighing in between 1,320 and 2,090 pounds for average adults.
4: Hippopotamus
Hippopotamuses belong to the Hippopotamidae family and the Hippopotamus genus. Male hippos typically weigh from 3,500 to 9,920 pounds, while females average approximately 3,000.
Hippopotamus have large body masses, thick skin of approximately two inches thickness, and dense bones; Mubarak, with his 9,920-pound weight, was recorded as the heaviest male hippo at Aswan Botanical Garden.
5: Elephant Seal
The elephant seal, one of Earth’s heaviest mammals, belongs to the Mirounga family of the Phocidae. There are two subspecies: the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) and the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina).
- Northern elephant seals weigh from 3,360 to 5,070 pounds.
- Southern varieties range between 770 and 1900 pounds.
6: Giraffe
Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) holds the title for highest animal and rank within the Top 7 Heaviest animals.
Male giraffes typically weigh 2600 pounds, while females average 1800. Sivatherium stands out as being particularly heavy at approximately 3000 pounds owing to its long legs, long necks, and dense bones – contributing factors that likely account for its massive weight.
7: Saltwater crocodile
Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are among the most significant and heaviest living reptiles. Males typically weigh between 900 and 1.7000 pounds, while females usually weigh between 244 and 444. One holding the Guinness World Record for the most enormous captive saltwater crocodile in captivity weighed approximately 2370 pounds.
Conclusion
Exploring the heavyweight animals listed above will offer insight into both diversity and body anatomy, both of which are intrinsically tied to body weight. From blue whales to majestic giraffes, nature proves her infinite variety through these giant beasts!
FAQs
What are the 5 heaviest land animals?
- Blue whale
- Elephant
- Rhinoceros
- Hippopotamus
- Elephant seal
What is the world’s heaviest animal?
Blue whales are among the world’s heaviest marine animals, weighing an estimated 2 to 3 lakh pounds (100-150 tons).
What animal is 7000 lbs?
White rhinoceros weigh approximately 7700-8100 lbs.
What is the heaviest elephant on record?
This record holds for an adult male African Savanna elephant weighing nearly 24,000 pounds.
What is the heaviest rhino ever recorded?
White rhinoceroses are currently the world’s heaviest known rhinos, with estimated body masses averaging 7700 pounds.