Top 15 Biggest Mammals on Earth: A Weight and Height Comparison
When it comes to size, the animal kingdom boasts a diverse range of creatures, from the tiniest insects to mammals that could easily dwarf a full-grown human. So, let’s take a journey through the top 15 biggest mammals on Earth, considering both weight and height, and explore just how tiny we humans really are in comparison!
15. Red Kangaroo
Weight: Up to 90 kg (198 lbs)
Height: Up to 2 meters (6.5 ft) when standing
Let’s hop down under and start with the iconic red kangaroo. Found in Australia, these marsupials can grow to impressive sizes, with the males being especially large. When they stand up on their powerful hind legs, they can reach over 6 feet in height, and their muscular tails alone can be longer than a human torso!
14. African Bush Elephant
Weight: Up to 6,000 kg (13,200 lbs)
Height: Typically around 3 meters (9.8 ft) at the shoulder
Now, let’s talk about elephants, specifically the African bush elephant, which is the world’s largest land animal. These gentle giants can weigh up to a staggering 13,200 lbs, which is roughly the weight of two small cars! They’re not quite as tall as some other mammals, but what they lack in height, they make up for in sheer bulk.
13. White Rhinoceros
Weight: Up to 3,600 kg (7,900 lbs)
Height: Around 1.8 meters (6 ft) at the shoulder
Rhinos are known for their formidable size and powerful horns. The white rhinoceros, found in Africa, is the largest of the rhino species. They may not be as heavy as elephants, but their solid, tank-like bodies and short, sturdy legs give them a very imposing presence.
12. Hippopotamus
Weight: Up to 3,200 kg (7,050 lbs)
Height: Around 1.5 meters (5 ft) at the shoulder
Hippos may look chubby and cute, but they’re incredibly aggressive and powerful. Found in Africa, these semi-aquatic mammals spend a lot of time in the water, and their massive size helps them move through even strong river currents with ease.
11. Grizzly Bear
Weight: Up to 600 kg (1,300 lbs)
Height: On average, around 1.2 meters (4 ft) at the shoulder
Moving to the northern hemisphere, grizzly bears are an iconic symbol of the wild landscapes of North America and parts of Europe. As one of the largest bear species, their size and strength are legendary, and they can stand over 10 feet tall when on their hind legs.
10. Polar Bear
Weight: Up to 800 kg (1,760 lbs)
Height: On average, around 1.25 meters (4.1 ft) at the shoulder
Speaking of bears, let’s not forget their arctic cousin, the polar bear. As the largest land carnivore, polar bears are built for survival in the harsh arctic conditions, with their immense size helping them conserve heat and providing the power needed to hunt seals.
9. Walrus
Weight: Up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lbs)
Height: Around 1.2 meters (4 ft) at the shoulder
While we’re in the arctic, let’s mention the mighty walrus. These tusked mammals may spend a lot of time in the water, but they’re not exactly graceful on land. Their enormous bulk means they often have to haul themselves across the ice, using their strong flippers and long tusks for leverage.
8. African Forest Elephant
Weight: Up to 5,000 kg (11,000 lbs)
Height: Around 2.4 meters (7.9 ft) at the shoulder
Returning to Africa, we have the African forest elephant, a slightly smaller cousin of the bush elephant. While not as heavy, they stand taller, with long, slender legs that help them navigate dense forest terrain.
7. Northern Giraffe
Weight: Up to 1,930 kg (4,250 lbs)
Height: Around 5 meters (16 ft)
Now, let’s talk about height. Giraffes are famous for their incredibly long necks and legs, which give them an unmatched height advantage in the animal kingdom. The northern giraffe, found in Africa, is the tallest of the giraffe subspecies, and they use their height to reach leaves and fruits that other herbivores can’t access.
6. Asian Elephant
Weight: Up to 5,000 kg (11,000 lbs)
Height: Around 2.75 meters (9 ft) at the shoulder
Back to elephants, the Asian elephant is slightly smaller than its African cousins but still an impressive creature. They have a long history of domestication, and their smaller size compared to African elephants makes them easier to keep in captivity.
5. Musk Ox
Weight: Up to 450 kg (990 lbs)
Height: Around 1.4 meters (4.6 ft) at the shoulder
Musk oxen are stocky, long-haired mammals native to the Arctic. Their compact, muscular build and thick fur help them survive the extreme cold. Despite their relatively small size compared to other mammals on this list, they’re incredibly powerful and can weigh more than a grand piano!
4. Wombat
Weight: Up to 38 kg (84 lbs)
Height: Around 1 meter (3.3 ft) at the shoulder
Wombats might not seem like they belong on this list, but these Australian marsupials are built like tanks. Their short, sturdy legs and robust bodies can reach impressive proportions, and they can grow to be as heavy as a large dog.
3. Blue Whale
Weight: Up to 180,000 kg (190 tons)
Length: Up to 30 meters (98 ft)
Now, let’s dive into the oceans. Blue whales are the largest known animals to ever exist on Earth, period. Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant, and their hearts are the size of small cars. Despite their immense size, they glide through the ocean with graceful ease.
2. Fin Whale
Weight: Up to 70,000 kg (77 tons)
Length: Up to 21 meters (69 ft)
Another ocean giant, the fin whale is the second-largest mammal on the planet. They may be smaller than blue whales, but they’re still incredibly massive, and their long, slender bodies can be over six stories tall if they could stand on their tails!
1. North Pacific Right Whale
Weight: Up to 100,000 kg (110 tons)
Length: Up to 18 meters (59 ft)
Finally, the North Pacific right whale takes the top spot as the heaviest mammal on Earth. While they’re not as long as fin or blue whales, they’re incredibly dense and bulky, with adults weighing more than 100 tons on average.
There you have it, a weighty journey through the animal kingdom’s heaviest hitters! It’s truly remarkable to consider just how massive these creatures are, and it gives us a newfound appreciation for the diversity of life on our planet.
Comments are closed