Here is a list of the greatest and worst that ever lived (or are still alive)… [next page title =””] 5
The largest toothy predator – sperm whale Sperm whale pod
Photo by Gabriel Barathieu
Sperm whales are currently the largest toothed predators on Earth
They are also among the largest of all toothed predators, if not the largest in existence, growing up to 67 feet (205 meters) long and weighing up to 63 short tons (57 metric tons)
This makes them longer and heavier than many huge, prehistoric marine reptiles, such as the Mosasaur, which grew up to 59 feet (18 meters) and giant, ancient sharks, such as the Megalodon, which grew up to 56 feet (18 meters)
Fortunately for us, sperm whales do not eat humans and prefer to feed on giant squid, octopuses, fish and other smaller creatures
Graphics: Citron / CC-BY-SA-30
Not surprisingly, the colossal squids that prey on the giant toothed sperm whales are the largest of all living invertebrates
No adults have yet been caught, but based on an analysis of small and immature specimens, scientists believe the colossal squid can grow up to 46 feet (14 meters) long and weigh up to 1,650 pounds (750 kilograms)
This makes them larger than the more famous giant squid, which grows up to 43 feet (13 meters)
Are they the largest invertebrates in history?
But fossilized invertebrates are a little harder to come by than vertebrates because they don’t have, you know, bones [next page title =””] 3
The largest land predator – Spinosaurus Spinosaurus skeleton
Art by Bugboy 5240
Of course, what is a list of the largest animals without giant predators?
Spinosaurus was the largest land predator that ever lived, even bigger than Tyrannosaurus
Although a complete Spinosaurus skeleton has yet to be found, scientists estimate it was 41 to 47 feet long (126 to 143 meters) and 132 to 230 short tons (12 to 209 metric tons)
The largest land animal – the skeleton of Argentinosaurus Argentinosaurus
photo Eve K
The largest of all land animals was, of course, the dinosaur
These huge herbivores are estimated to have reached lengths of 98 to 115 feet (30 to 35 meters) and weights of 88 to 110 short tons (80 to 100 metric tons)
At this size, the Argentinosaurus (and other huge dinosaurs) crossed the limits of gravity
The largest animal of all time – the blue whale A blue whale seen from above
NOAA Photo Library
Interestingly, despite all the time that has elapsed before human evolution, we are lucky enough to live next to the blue whale, the largest and heaviest animal in the entire history of the Earth
Blue whales grow up to 98 feet (30 meters) long and can weigh over 200 short tons (180 metric tons), but some have been unofficially measured to exceed 110 feet (335 meters) and are believed to be even heavier
One more distinction… [nextpage title=””] Distinction – African Elephant African Elephant in the Serengeti
Photo by Ikiwaner
The African elephant is currently the largest and heaviest land animal in existence
They can grow up to 13 feet (4 meters) tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 12,130 pounds (55 metric tons)
Unfortunately, due to the ivory trade and poaching, they may not be able to continue their reign as the largest and heaviest land animals
Photo by Alan D
Currently, the polar bear is the largest living land predator
At 10 feet (3 meters) and 1,543 pounds (700 kilograms), it’s only a fraction of the size of a Spinosaurus, but if you honestly expect a bear to rival a dinosaur, you’ll be very disappointed