Giant animal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section does not cite its references or sources.
You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations. This article has been tagged since October 2006.

A giant animal can refer to an entire species which is particularly large, especially when compared to other species in the same family or order. For example, a giant squid is 10 - 13m long, making it the second largest species of squid in existence (the Colossal Squid is larger).

Alternatively, a giant animal can mean simply an animal which is much larger than other members of its species. For example, a guinea pig which was 14 inches long would be a giant guinea pig.

The term 'giant' carries some ambiguitiy; a giant insect is still, compared to a human, rather small. This article is primarily a list of "giant animals" (ranked by maximum size) as measured by their weight, in this case exceeding a short ton (2,000 lb or 910 kg). At this size, they would dwarf a normal person.

1 List of giant animals
2 Evolution
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] List of giant animals

[edit] Living animals

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus): Large specimens are estimated to weigh at least 220 tons (200 tonnes) and are up to 110 ft (33.3 m).
Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus): The biggest whales of this species have exceeded 70 ft (21.2 m), at which size they are estimated to weigh 152 tons (138 tonnes).
Pacific Northern Right Whale (Eubalaena japonica): The largest known specimen of this biggest type of right whale was 70 ft (21.2 m) and weighed about 149 tons (135 tonnes).
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus): In terms of length, this is the second biggest vertebrate. The top size is 89 ft (27 m) and top weight is 130 tons (118 tonnes).
Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis): The maximum known size of this species is 65 ft (19.6 m) and about 100 tons (90 tonnes).
Atlantic Northern Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis): The right whales of the North Atlantic are generally smaller, not exceeding 65 ft (19.6 m) and about 100 tons (90 tonnes).
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus): the largest scientifically measured specimen was about 62 ft (18.7 m) and estimated to weigh almost 80 tons (72.5 tonnes), but skull fragments and 19th century reports strongly indicate that this species at one time could grow to more than 80 ft (24 m) long and weigh over 88 tons (80 tonnes).
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae): This species top accurately measured size is 52.5 ft (16 m) and a weight of just over 50 tons (45.3 tonnes), but in the 19th century reports give them a size of up to 65 ft (19.6 m) and 75 tons (68 tonnes).
Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis): This is a large but slender rorqual, at a top size of 70 ft (21.2 m) and top weight of 50 tons (45.3 tonnes).
Bryde's Whale (Balaenoptera brydei): The largest size of this rorqual, one of the smaller species, is 55 ft (16.6 m) long and 40 tons (36 tonnes).
Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus): Although still very large, this is small for a baleen whale, at a top size of 50 ft (15 m) long and 40 tons (36 tonnes).
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus): This is the largest of all fish, named "whale" due to its dimensions. The largest verified size is 45 ft (13.6 m) long and 22 tons (20 tonnes), but the more reliable reports indicate possible sizes of up to 59 ft (17.8 m) long and 41 tons (37 tonnes).
Pygmy Bryde's Whale (Balaenoptera edeni): Some recent texts indicate that this is a distinct species, although traditionally it is considered a small form of the Bryde's Whale. The top size of this creature is about 45 ft (13.6 m) long and 18 tons (16.3 tonnes).
Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus): Second only to the Whale Shark, suspicuous reports give this a size of up to 50 ft (15 m). However, the largest accurately measured fish was 41 ft (12.4 m) long and 17.6 tons (16 tonnes).
Giant Beaked Whale (Berardius bairdii): This is the largest species of beaked whale. The maximum known size is 42 ft (12.7 m) long and 15 tons (13.6 tonnes).
Minke Whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata): This was until recently considered the smallest baleen whale, at a top size of 34 ft (10.3 m) long and 14 tons (12.7 tonnes).
African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana): This is the largest land animal in existence. The largest known specimen was 35 ft (10.6 m) long, from trunk tip to tail tip, 13.8 ft (4.2 m) tall and 13.5 tons (12.2 tonnes).
Arnoux’s Beaked Whale (Berardius arnuxii): This species is like a smaller, southern version of the Baird's Beaked Whale. Its maximum size is believed to be about 32.5 ft (9.8 m) long and 12 tons (10.9 tonnes).
Killer Whale (Orcinus orca): Despite its name, this is actually the largest species of dolphin. The largest known specimen was just short of 33 ft (10 m) long and weighed 11 tons (10 tonnes).
Antarctic Minke Whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis): Most authorities now consider this to be a separate species from the Minke Whale. The porportions are similar to an average Minke, at up to 31.3 ft (9.5 m) long and 10 tons (9 tonnes).
Northern Bottlenose Whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus): Probably the best known of all beaked whales, this is also one of the largest. The top size is 32.5 ft (9.5 m) long and at least 9 tons (8.1 tonnes).
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus): This species usually scales smaller than the African Bush Elephant. The largest measured specimen was 24 ft (7.2 m) long, 11.2 ft (3.4 m) and weighed approximately 8.8 tons (8 tons).
Shepherd's Beaked Whale (Tasmacetus shepherdi): Known basically only from washing up shorelines, this big beaked whale has been measured up to 24 ft (7.2 m) long and is estimated to weigh up to 7.1 tons (6.5 tonnes).
Southern Bottlenose Whale (Hyperoodon planifrons): This southern species is less known, but is not thought to reach sizes as large as its northern counterpart. The top known length is 25.7 ft (7.8 m) long and the top weigh is estimated at 7 tons (6.3 tonnes).
African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis): An exceptional specimen of this (now separated) species was 20 ft (6 m) long, 10 ft (3 m) tall and 6.6 tons (6 tonnes). This animal was about twice the weight of most known forest elephants.
Southern Elephant Seal (Mirounga leonina): This species is well-named, due to the exceptional large size of the male of the species. The largest individual was 21.3 ft (6.3 m) long and weighed 5.5 tons (5 tonnes).
Cuvier's Beaked Whale (Ziphius cavirostris): One of the few beaked whales that can be conspicuous, the top size is about 25 ft (7.5 m) long and at least 5 tons (4.5 tonnes).
White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum): This and the following species vie for the title of third largest land animal. The largest species was 15.5 ft (4.6 m) long, 6.6 ft (2 m) tall and weighed about 5 tons (4.5 tonnes).
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius): Exceptional males are about the same size as a White Rhinoceros, at up to 16 ft (4.8 m) long, 5.5 ft (1.66 m) tall and about 5 tons (4.5 tonnes).
Short-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus): This is a common and huge dolphin. The maximum size is believed to be about 23 ft (7 m) and 4.4 tons (4 tonnes).
Pygmy Right Whale (Caperea marginata): This species is now recognized as the smallest baleen whale on earth. The maximum known size is 21.3 ft (6.5 m) long and 4.4 tons (4 tonnes).
Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris): Usually bulls of this species scale smaller than the Southern Elephant Seal. However, enormous individuals can be up to nearly 20 ft (6 m) long and 4 tons (3.6 tonnes).
Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): This is the second largest Asian land animal, after the Asian Elephant. The record-sized specimen was nearly 12 ft (3.8 m) long, over 6 ft (1.83 m) tall and weighed about 3.9 tons (3.5 tonnes).
Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas): This very large kind of dolphin, about the same size as the Short-finned species, can attain a size of up to 21.5 ft (6.5 m) and 3.8 tons (3.5 tonnes).
Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias): Much speculation has surrounded of the maximum size of this giant shark, for a long time the top size of the species was thought to be 36.5 ft (11 m), but no specimen over 23 ft (7 m) has ever been verified. The heaviest known fish was a 21.5 ft (6.5 m) long specimen weighing 3.7 tons (3.3 tonnes).
Strap-toothed Whale (Mesoplodon layardii): The is the largest of the numerous Mesoplodon. This species can grow to be at least 23 ft (7 m) long and 3.3 tons (3 tonnes).
Manta Ray (Manta birostris): The largest known specimen of this gentle giant was 25 ft (7.5 m) across its disc, about 16.5 ft (5 m) long and weighed about 3.3 tons (3 tonnes).
Giant squid (Architeuthis dux): This is the largest of all known invertebrates. The largest specimen had a mantle of 6.1 m (20 ft) long and a tenancle length of 10.7 m (35 ft), and was estimated at between 2.4 to 2.8 tons (2.2 to 2.5 tonnes).
Large-tooth sawfish (Pristis perotteti): The sawfish are little known, in spite of huge sizes. A single record exists of a 2.7 ton (2.4 tonne) fish, at which weight the length must be nearly 30 ft (9 m).
Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola): This is the heaviest of all the bony fish. The largest example of this species was 15 ft (4.5 m) across the fins, 11.5 ft (3.5 m) long and weighed 2.5 tons (2.3 tonnes).
Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus): This species of rhino can attain a size of up to 10.5 ft (3.2 m) long, 6 ft (1.83 m) tall and a weight of about 2.5 tons (2.3 tonnes).
Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso): This extraordinary fish has been recorded at up to nearly 26 ft (7.8 m) long and weighed approximately 2.3 tons (2.1 tonnes).
Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus): This is the largest crocodile and the largest reptile. The largest recorded specimen was 28.3 ft (8.6 m) long and weighed 2.2 tons (2 tonnes).
Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas): The largest size that this beloved "white whale" can attain is 20 ft (6 m) and 2.2 tons (2 tonnes).
Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens): This species is large for a Mesoplodon beaked whale. A big example was 17.5 ft (5.3 m) long and weighed 2.2 tons (2 tonnes).
Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis): This is the tallest land animal on earth. The maximum size that this species can attain is 19.3 ft (5.8 m) in height and 2.1 tons (1.9 tonnes) in weight.
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): The top size of this huge creature is about 12 ft (3.6 m) and 2.1 tons (1.9 tonnes).
Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus): Usually, domestic cattle are smaller than wild Bos species, but they can sometimes be huge. The largest example was a Chianina bull over 7 ft (2.1 m) tall and weighing over 2 tons (1.8 tonnes).
Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis): This is the smallest African rhinoceros, but it is still extremely large. An exceptional male measured 12 ft (3.6 m) long, 6 ft (1.83 m) tall and 2 tons (1.8 tonnes).
Narwhal (Monodon monoceros): The maximum size of this whale is 18 ft (5.4 m) long, with the tusk comprising an additional 10 ft (3 m), and a weight of 2 tons (1.8 tonnes).
West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus): This is now probably the largest remaining member of it's order. Exceptionally, this species can attain a size of 1.8 tons (1.6 tonnes) and nearly 14.8 ft (4.5 m) long.
Andrews' Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bowdoini): The length measurements estimated for the top size of this species are not particularly large, at up to 16 ft (4.9 m) long, but this is very bulky for a beaked whale and can scale up to 1.7 tons (1.5 tonnes).
Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata): This species can reach a length of 25 ft (7.6 m), at which length they probably weigh up to 1.8 tons (1.6 tonnes).
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier): These impossing predatory fish have been confirmed up to 18 ft (5.4 m) and 1.7 tons (1.5 tonnes), but there is a possibility that this species can exceed 21.5 ft (6.5 m).
Gray's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon grayi): Although it usually scales smaller than most beaked whales, exceptionally large specimens have been recorded. The maximum size is 19 ft (5.7 m) and 1.7 tons (1.5 tonnes).
Domestic Horse (Equus caballus): Horses are descended from the largest known species of wild horse. The largest recorded size for this species was a Shire over 7 ft (2.1 m) tall and that weighed about 1.7 tons (1.5 tonnes).
Hubbs' Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi): This beaked whale can reach a length of 18 ft (5.4 m) and a weight of 1.7 tons (1.5 tonnes).
Stejneger's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri): The maximum known size of this whale is 18 ft (5.4 m) and 1.7 tons (1.5 tonnes).
True's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon mirus): A large example of this species was measured at nearly 17.5 (5.3 m) and the weight was 1.5 tons (1.4 tonnes).
Longcomb sawfish (Pristis zijsron): These Australian sawfish can attain a size of as much 24 ft (7.3 m) and at least 1.5 tons (1.4 tonnes).
Spade Toothed Whale (Mesoplodon traversii): This beaked whale is only known from it's skull. Based on the skull dimensions, this whale is up to 18 ft (5.4 m) long and weigh at least 1.5 tons (1.4 tonnes).
Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus): The top size of the huge Arctic sea fish is at least 21 ft (6.4 m) and 1.5 tons (1.4 tonnes), although there is a strong possibility that this species can reach 24 ft (7.2 m).
Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus): These dangerous reptiles can attain enormous sizes. The largest specimen ever measured was 21.5 ft (6.5 m) long, and probably weigh about 1.5 tons (1.4 tonnes).
West African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis): A big manatee of this species can measure to at least 13 ft (4 m) and 1.5 tons (1.4 tonnes).
Sowerby's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon bidens): This medium-sized beaked whale can be almost 18 ft (5.4 m) long and can weigh up to 1.4 tons (1.3 tonnes).
Gaur (Bos frontalis): These are the largest living species of wild bovine. They can attain a length of over 11 ft (3.3 m), a height of 7.2 ft (2.2 m) and a weight of 1.4 tons (1.3 tonnes).
Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus): The North Pacific's replacement for the Greenland Shark, this species is thought to attain a size of as much as 23 ft (7 m), at which length they must weigh about 1.4 tons (1.3 tonnes).
Gervais' Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon europaeus): These smallish beaked whales are thought to grow to 17 ft (5.2 m) long and to weight at least 1.4 tons (1.3 tonnes).
American Bison (Bison bison): This is the largest surviving land animal in North America. Exceptionally large males can be 11 ft (3.3 m) long, 6.6 ft (2 m) tall and can weigh up to 1.3 tons (1.2 tonnes).
Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee): The wild water buffalo is much larger than it's domestic counterpart. The top known size is 10 ft (3 m) long, 6.2 ft (1.9 m) tall and a weight of 1.3 tons (1.2 tonnes).
Yak (Bos mutus): The Yak can be enormous in the wild, and is often twice the size of a domestic yak. Large bulls are up to 10.6 ft (3.2 m) long, 6.7 ft (2 m) tall and 1.3 tons (1.2 tonnes).
Perrin's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon perrini): This is the most-newly discovered beaked whale. It is not thought to grow very large, with an estimated top size of 15 ft (4.5 m) and about 1.2 tons (1.1 tonnes).
Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa): While extant wild pigs do not exceed 770 lb (350 kg), domestic ones can grow to enormous porportions. One obese pig, who's belly touched the ground when it stood, was 9 ft (2.7 m) long and weighed 1.2 tons (1.1 tonnes).
Kaluga (Huso dauricus): This sturgeon replaces the Beluga sturgeon in the Amur river basin. It can grow nearly as large, at up to 18.5 ft (5.6 m) long and 1.2 tons (1.1 tonnes).
Brown Bear (Ursus arctos): Although very variable in size, the largest races of this bear compete for the title of the largest land carnivores. Apparently, exceptional giants have been over 10 ft (3 m) long, 5.6 ft (1.7 m) tall and 1.2 tons (1.1 tonnes).
Steller's Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus): These solid creatures are the largest species of sea lion. Large males can be up to 11.5 (3.5 m) long and weighed up to 1.2 tons (1.1 tonnes).
African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer): The solid, impossing wild cattle of Africa can be nearly 10 ft (3 m) long, 5.9 ft (1.8 m) tall and weigh 1.2 tons (1.1 tonnes).
Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios): These fascinating, recently-discovered sharks are quite large, with the biggest one so far known being 16 ft (4.8 m) long and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis): This is the smallest living rhinoceros, although it is still a large animal. The maximum known size is 10.4 ft (3.1 m) long, 5 ft (1.5 m) tall and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Hector's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon hectori): This is one of the smallest beaked whales, at up to 14.3 ft (4.3 m) long and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Dugong (Dugong dugon): A dugong usually ranges smaller than the manatees, but exceptionally large ones can measure up to 13 ft (4 m) long and weigh up to 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx): This ox-like herbivore is actually the largest living species of antelope. The maximum size is over 10 ft (3 m) long, 6 ft (1.83 m) tall and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus): These bears compete with larger races of Brown Bear for the title of largest living land carnivore. An exceptionally large male was just over 10 ft (3 m) long, 5.2 (1.6 m) tall and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Wisent (Bison bonasus): These bison are the largest living land animals in Europe. They are usually lankier and more slender than the American Bison, at up to 10 ft (3 m) long, 6.7 ft (2 m) tall and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus): These endangered creatures can be truly enormous. A large example can be up to 12 ft (3.6 m) long, 7.6 ft (2.4 m) tall and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Blainville's Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris): This small beaked whale is up to 15 ft (4.5 m) long and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus): Although named the "Giant Eland", this bovid is actually no larger than the Common Eland. The top size is about 9.6 ft (2.9 m) long, 5.8 ft (1.75 m) tall and 1.1 tons (1 tonne).
Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius): The dromedary scales just barely smaller than Bactrian camel. The top size is 11.5 ft (3.5 m) long, 7 ft (2 m) tall and 1 ton (0.9 tonne).
Black Marlin (Makaira indica)- An enormous fish, this species competes for the title of the largest of the perch-like fish. The largest ones can be up to 16.5 ft (5 m) long and 1 ton (0.9 tonne).
Banteng (Bos javanicus): The bateng does not approach the dimensions of some other species, but can be quite bulky. They can range in size up to 7.4 ft (2.25 m) long, 5.5 ft (1.6 m) tall and 1 ton (0.9 tonne) in weight.
Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans): This is the larger of the two blue marlins, at up to 16.5 ft (5 m) long and 1 ton (0.9 tonne).
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea): A sea turtle, this is easily the largest living species of turtle. The largest known example was almost 9 ft (2.7 m) long and weighed 1 ton (0.9 tonne).
Northern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus): This is the largest and most impressive species of tuna. Huge animals would be considered extraordinary recently, but in the past these tuna could be up to 14 ft (4.2 m) long and weigh up to 1 ton (0.9 tonne).
Kouprey (Bos sauveli): These solid wild cattle can range up to a size of 7.4 ft (2.3 m) long, 6.2 ft (1.9 m) tall and a weight to 1 ton (0.9 tonne).

[edit] Extinct Animals

Giant Short-faced Bear
Brachiosaurus
Giant ant: 15cm
Giant wombat
Irish Elk (deer): up to 2 metres tall at the shoulder
Moa
Megalodon
Teleoceras
Wooly mammoth
Megatherium(Giant Sloth)
Megalania Giant monitor lizard
Giant Beaver weighed 700 kg.

[edit] Mythological animals

Some giant animals are legends, or are so rare, that they have been seen only by a few people. Still other giant animals are thought to be purely local folklore and myth.

Notable cryptozoological "giants", whose existence remains unproven include:

Lusca, Octopus giganteus, a kind of giant octopus, (not to be confused with the North Pacific giant octopus etc. genus Enteroctopus, confirmed species[1], which grow to about thirty feet in length), supposedly live off Bermuda and in blue holes, and which grow over 75 foot long, and are B-movie staples. They are often considered to be the origin of globsters, and in some cases may be misidentified squid. [2]
Lake monsters, such as Nessie and Champ
Thunderbird
Big mystery cats (like the Beast of Bodmin)
The Kraken, another mythological giant octopus.
Giant Wolf

[edit] Fictional animals

Chocobo (Final Fantasy series)
King Kong
Godzilla
Ookondoru
Moby Dick
Ivysaur (Pokemon)
Donphan (Pokemon)
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Suicune (Pokemon)
Articuno (Pokemon)
Helmaroc King (Legend of Zelda)
Fell beast (Lords of the Rings)
Behemoth (Final fantasy series)
Moby Dick
Toraton (The Future Is Wild)
Gannetwhale (The Future is Wild)
Leviathan (Final Fantasy)
Birdmon (Digimon)
Megasquid (The Future is Wild)
Carakiller (The Future is Wild)
Pidgeotto (Pokemon)
Manny (Ice Age)
Diego (Ice Age)
Ellie (Ice Age)
Thundra (Aladdin)
Cerberus (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Spinel Sun (Cardcaptor Sakura)
Bahamut (Final Fantasy series)
Ekans (Pokemon)
Jaws
Kyogre (Pokemon)
Raikou (Pokemon)
Entei (Pokemon)
Monstro (Pinocchio)
Slaking (Pokemon)
Reptar (Rugrats)
Noctowl (Pokemon)
Kamacuras (Godzilla)
Megayanma (Pokemon)
Spinarak (Pokemon)
Free Willy
Cretaceous (Ice Age)
Ohmu (Nausicaá Wind of Valley)
Destoroyah (Godzilla)
Mothra
Jabberwocky (Alice in the Wonderland)
Koosalagoopagoop (Dexter's Laboratory)
Louie (Bomberman)
Tirra (Bomberman Saturn)
Crawdaunt (Pokemon)
Kabutops (Pokemon)
Whamon (Digimon)
Lugia (Pokemon)

[edit] Evolution

Giant animals can evolve naturally over millions of years, when food sources are plentiful. When the climate is warmer, cold-blooded animals (like lizards), plants, and insects grow larger, while warm-blooded animals (like mammals) shrink. When the climate is colder, such as in the Ice Ages, warm-blooded animals get larger, while cold-blooded animals evolve smaller. Many of the large animals that exist today are leftovers of the hot and cold periods of the earth. Some examples of leftover animals are the crocodile (from the time of dinosaurs) and the polar bear, the world's largest bear today.