Top 13 Heaviest Animals in the World

Following closely behind the hippopotamus is the giraffe. Known as the tallest mammal on Earth, giraffes can be found in South Africa. These towering animals can reach heights over 6 meters and weigh an impressive 1,270 to 1,587 kg. Giraffes are capable of feeding on the leaves at the tops of trees and can run at speeds of up to 50 km per hour, thanks to their long, powerful legs. They spend most of their time eating and, interestingly, possess a tongue that can stretch up to 0.5 meters, allowing them to easily pluck leaves. Like cows, giraffes are ruminants, capable of traveling long distances to find food and can even go without water by eating leaves that are rich in moisture.

In sixth place among the heaviest animals is the hippopotamus, a mammal native to South Africa. It ranks as the third largest land mammal on Earth, weighing up to 401 kg. Hippos spend a large portion of their time submerged in water to cool their massive bodies.

Hippopotamuses consume up to 36 kg of grass daily, especially at night. They can travel up to 6 miles in search of enough food to sustain their large bodies. With specialized teeth, hippos can eat a vast amount of grass and fallen fruit, efficiently using their strong jaws.

Ranked fifth in this list is a species native to the northeastern and southern parts of Africa: the white rhinoceros, also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros. Despite their large size, these creatures tend to live in groups of 1 to 7 individuals. A male white rhino can weigh up to 2,300 kg, while a female weighs around 1,700 kg.

The white rhinoceros has two horns made of keratin on its snout, as well as a distinct hump on the back of its neck to support its massive head. Each foot has three toes. This species is also referred to as the square-lipped rhino due to its broad lips, which are adapted for grazing on short grass in savannah regions. White rhinos can go for 4 to 5 days in search of food without needing to drink water.

Another massive elephant species, ranked fourth, is the Indian elephant. These animals are the largest land mammals in Asia, with some individuals weighing up to 5,000 kg and standing as tall as meters.

Indian elephants have smaller ears compared to their African counterparts. They typically roam for up to 19 hours a day across vast areas, especially in grasslands, in search of food. Their daily food intake reaches up to 113 kg, primarily consisting of sugarcane, grass, and various fruits. With their powerful bodies and sturdy tusks, they are capable of breaking down food into manageable pieces.

Ranking third is the African elephant, the heaviest land animal in the world. These giants can weigh up to an astonishing 6,350 kg.

African elephants have much larger ears and tusks than other elephant species. To cool off, they spend a significant amount of time submerged in water, using their trunks to spray water on their bodies. They use their tusks to forage for food, which mainly consists of grass, tree roots, and fruits. On a typical day, they consume about 136 kg of food and are known to travel long distances in search of more sustenance.

In second place is the whale shark, a creature with a massive size, second only to the blue whale. This is one of the largest fish species in the ocean, reaching lengths of up to 12 meters and weighing as much as 18,143 kg.

Whale sharks inhabit warm, tropical waters, where they effortlessly consume vast amounts of food at once, thanks to their strong jaws. Their diet mainly consists of crustaceans, small vertebrates, and other marine life. These giant fish are also known to migrate in search of new feeding grounds.

Claiming the top spot in terms of weight is the largest animal to ever exist on Earth, the blue whale. Not only is it the heaviest animal, but it also tops the list for the most massive creatures in the world. A blue whale can grow up to 30 meters in length and weigh as much as 200 tons.

These colossal animals can be found in the Indian Ocean, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. To put their size into perspective, just their tongue weighs as much as an elephant! Remarkably, blue whales can hear sounds over 1000 miles away, solidifying their status as the heaviest living creature on the planet.

The gray whale, part of the baleen whale family, uses baleen plates in its mouth to filter food from the water instead of teeth. They typically grow up to 15 meters in length and weigh around 1,950 kg. Historically, they were referred to as the 'devil fish' due to their aggressive behavior when hunted.

Gray whales have a lifespan of around 50 to 70 years and migrate annually between feeding grounds and breeding areas. Sadly, one of their populations in the Pacific is critically endangered. A gray whale was spotted off the coast of Israel in 2010, sparking theories that they may be returning to ancestral breeding grounds. Another sighting occurred off Namibia in 2013, while the first whale was observed in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Sei whale is a member of the largest group within the baleen whale family, the 'grey whale' subgroup. With a length of about 19.5 meters and weighing up to 22.5 tons, these whales can consume as much as 2,000 kg of food per day.

Known as the fastest among all whales (including dolphins and oceanic dolphins), Sei whales can reach speeds of 27 knots per hour. In 2008, the population was recorded at 80,000, nearly a third of the previous number. Today, they are protected under international standards to prevent illegal hunting.

The Sperm Whale is a toothed whale and the largest predatory animal. An adult typically measures between 16 to 20 meters long, with a head that makes up a third of its body length. These whales can weigh as much as 31.25 tons. They are capable of diving as deep as 3,000 meters in search of prey, making them the deepest diving mammals.

The Sperm Whale is known for producing the loudest vocalizations, reaching nearly 230 decibels. With a brain larger than any other animal, it is five times heavier than a human's. They can live for over 60 years and are widely distributed, with protections in place against hunting due to their vulnerable status.

The Kodiak Bear ranks 10th on the list. Native to Kodiak Island in the Alaskan archipelago, a male Kodiak bear can reach up to 3 meters in height and weigh between 680 to 816 kg. Female Kodiak bears are typically 20-30% smaller than their male counterparts.

These bears are significantly larger than other bears in the same family, largely due to their diverse diet. During spring, they consume plant leaves, causing their weight to increase by around 50%. Isolated on their island, Kodiak bears cannot hunt other animals or assist other species, further contributing to their unique lifestyle.

One of the 'ugliest' creatures to make the list is the Crocodile. Known as the largest reptile in the world, crocodiles can be found in tropical regions and are among the most dangerous animals. They typically range from 1.8 meters to 7.62 meters in length and can weigh up to 1,043 kg.

Even if a crocodile goes without food for an entire month, it can still survive by using its body fat for energy. Their diet consists of pigs, reptiles, birds, turtles, and fish. With their narrow, cunning eyes, they can detect even the smallest movements in the water, making it nearly impossible for prey to escape. A crocodile can tear apart its prey using its powerful jaws.

Ranked in 8th place is the Asian Gaur, the largest wild animal native to South Asia. With a body height that can reach up to meters and a weight of up to 1,134 kg, the Asian Gaur earns its spot among the heaviest creatures in the world.

Male gaur have larger heads and horns, being around 30% bigger than the females. Their diet mainly consists of fruits and grass. These animals prefer lush areas, forests with abundant vegetation, and water sources. The Asian Gaur spends a lot of time feeding and can survive without food for some time if necessary.