Biggest
Follow this slideshow to see images of and learn about the worlds' largest land and marine mammal, bird, fish, reptile, and insect.
- Land mammal
- African elephants weigh up to 14,000 pounds and can eat as much as 600 pounds of food a day! Their trunks contain as many as 100,000 different muscles.
- Marine mammal
![Blue whale]()
- The blue whale is the world's biggest animal, even larger than any known dinosaur. An average-sized adult is 80 feet long and weighs about 120 tons. This giant is also the loudest animal on Earth. Its call, which is louder than a jet, can be heard for hundreds of miles.
- Bird
![Ostrich]()
- The ostrich can grow to 9 feet tall and weigh as much as 350 pounds. Its eggs, the largest of all birds, weigh up to three pounds. These flightless birds can sprint up to 43 miles per hour.
- Fish
![Whale shark]()
- The whale shark, which is not a whale, reaches about 33 feet in length and weighs up to 60 tons. These fish prefer warm water and inhabit tropical seas. Don't let their size scare you! They are tame creatures that have let swimmers ride on their backs.
- Reptile
![Saltwater crocodile]()
- The saltwater crocodile can grow to 23 feet long and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. Often called "salties," the ferocious reptiles are found in India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia.
- Insect
![Giant walking stick]()
- Giant walking sticks can grow to about 20 inches length. They protect themselves from predators by using camouflage to blend into their environments.
