Buzz
We’ve previously delved into the world of enormous ancient creatures, focusing on the terrifyingly massive versions of snakes and menacing carnivorous reptiles. This time, however, we’re shifting our attention to the more everyday animals that typically don’t spark fear. From the charming penguins to the lethargic sloths, these animals once had giant ancestors that would leave anyone frightened. Despite the adorable creatures we know today, the colossal versions of these species belong to the realm of nightmares.
10. Penguins
Penguins are among the most adored creatures worldwide. From documentaries showcasing the extreme conditions some species endure to animated films highlighting their quirky behavior, it’s clear these birds have captured our hearts. Presently, there are between 17 and 19 penguin species, though the exact number remains debated by scientists. The smallest of the penguins is the little blue penguin, measuring about 25–30 centimeters (10–12 inches) tall, with an average weight of 4–7 kilograms (2–3 pounds). On the other end of the spectrum, the emperor penguin, famous for its role in Antarctica, reaches a height of 113 centimeters (3.7 feet) and can weigh between 22–40 kilograms (50–90 pounds). Larger penguins are typically found in colder regions, while smaller species thrive in more temperate climates, such as Australia and the Galapagos.
While the emperor penguin is the largest penguin species today, it doesn't compare to its massive ancestors that roamed the earth 36 million years ago. The 'water king' could stand nearly eye-to-eye with modern humans, reaching a towering 152 centimeters (5 feet) tall and weighing as much as 82 kilograms (180 pounds). These enormous penguins were unearthed in Peru in 2010.
Not only was this penguin one of the largest species ever discovered, but it was also more vibrant in color than its modern relatives. Unlike the familiar black-and-white tuxedo of today's penguins, the water king sported a striking gray and red plumage. Scientists believe that this giant penguin wasn’t as nimble or fast in the water as its modern counterparts, possibly due to the lack of specialized adaptations that allow penguins today to glide swiftly through the ocean. This may explain its unusual coloration.
9. Wombats
Australia is home to a wide variety of fascinating and unusual creatures, and one of the most endearing is the wombat. This large, stout marsupial inhabits Australia and its nearby islands. Wombats have a small pouch where their babies continue developing after birth. Known for their burrowing habits, these creatures can grow up to 119 centimeters (47 inches) in length and weigh as much as 36 kg (80 lbs), but their ancient relatives were far more massive. The diprotodon, an extinct ancestor of the wombat, holds the title of the largest marsupial to ever roam the Earth.
Diprotodons were colossal compared to modern wombats, reaching heights of up to 170 centimeters (5’7″) at the shoulders, extending 305 centimeters (10 feet) in length, and weighing an astonishing 2,500 kilograms (2.75 tons). To put it in perspective, that’s bulkier than today’s white rhinos. Their pouches were so large they could fit a grown man inside. Imagine stumbling upon a herd of these massive creatures! Roaming the forests and scrublands of Australia, diprotodons did not dig burrows but instead nested within the thick vegetation that made up most of their diet. These giant marsupials vanished between 25,000 and 45,000 years ago, although they first appeared around 1.6 million years ago. They were hunted by another gigantic predator: the megalania, a 6-meter (20-ft) prehistoric lizard.
8. Platypus
Another peculiar creature from Australia’s once-isolated lands is the platypus. It's undeniably one of the most bizarre animals alive today. When scientists first heard of the platypus before its official discovery, they thought it was a prank—a mammal that laid eggs, with the tail of a beaver, the bill of a duck, and the venomous capabilities of an otter. And, yes, it’s also a mammal. Only the males are venomous, equipped with a spur on their hind feet. Modern platypuses are carnivores and, including their tail, can grow up to 51 centimeters (21 inches) long and weigh around 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds).
Even these extraordinary animals had their own giant ancestors. Obdurodon lived in northern Australia, with several species known. The Obdurodon tharalkooschild grew over 91 centimeters (3 feet) long. The earliest evidence of platypuses dates back 26 million years, though they likely flourished between 5 and 15 million years ago. These large platypuses are believed to have inhabited the Riversleigh region of Australia during the early Miocene epoch, a landscape full of caves, waterways, rainforests, and expansive forests. The giant platypus possessed teeth and likely consumed a broader diet than today’s species, possibly feasting on large fish and frogs. Other giant platypuses are thought to have lived in South America, becoming extinct around 61 million years ago. A limited fossil record leaves scientists still intrigued by these ancient creatures.
7. Andean Condor
Andean condors are among the largest birds capable of flight in the world. They get their name from their range, which includes the towering Andes mountains, the sweeping Patagonia region, and the coastal areas of South America. These colossal birds have wingspans that stretch 305 centimeters (10 feet) and weigh around 15 kilograms (33 pounds). Condors glide effortlessly through the air, searching for carcasses to feast on as part of their vulture-like carnivorous diet. They prefer perching on rocky cliffs, where the wind currents help them bear their weight as they soar. Known for their cleanliness and strong health, these birds can live well into their 70s. Despite having bald heads, their feathers change color in response to emotional stimuli. Though these magnificent birds are endangered, conservation projects are working to safeguard areas of their natural habitat.
The largest bird to ever take to the skies was the Argentavis magnificens, a close relative of the modern Andean condor. Argentavis were truly massive, with a wingspan measuring an astonishing 7 meters (23 feet) and weighing up to 70 kilograms (155 pounds). Their size was comparable to that of small airplanes, and like their Andean condor cousins, they soared on thermal updrafts.
There is ongoing debate among scientists about whether these enormous birds were hunters or scavengers. One theory suggests they swallowed small animals, like rabbits, whole, which is supported by fossil evidence. However, other researchers argue that due to their size and limited maneuverability in flight, these birds would have had little success when hunting, relying instead on scavenging to meet their dietary needs. These ancient giants, which also roamed South America’s Patagonia region, went extinct around 6 million years ago.
6. Camels
Camels are a common sight in deserts, where they have served as reliable transport animals for millennia. Their ability to endure 4–5 days without food or water is thanks to the large reserves of fat stored in their humps. There are different species of camels, some with one hump and others with two. Though they thrive in hot environments, camels don’t sweat; instead, they store water in their fat for when it is most needed. The concentration of fat in their humps helps them remain cooler in the heat. When thirsty, they can drink up to 189 liters (50 gallons) of water at once. Camels are large animals, and watching them gallop can be quite amusing. Today’s camels weigh between 400 and 1,000 kilograms (900–2,200 lbs), with a height range of 167–198 centimeters (5’6″–6’6″).
However, modern camels pale in comparison to their ancient ancestors. The Syrian camel, which lived around 100,000 years ago, was uncovered deep in the Syrian desert by Swiss researchers. This enormous camel stood an impressive 365 centimeters (12 feet) tall, much taller than its present-day relatives. It roamed a savanna-like environment, which was also home to early humans who hunted these giant dromedary (one-humped) camels. It remains uncertain whether they coexisted with Neanderthals or Homo sapiens, as only a few bones have been discovered so far. As more fossils are uncovered, the story of the giant Syrian camel and the evolution of today’s camels will continue to unfold.
5. Kangaroos
Kangaroos are famous for their impressive leaps across the Australian landscape and the way baby kangaroos, or joeys, are safely carried in their mother’s pouch. They are even a part of the Australian diet, though red kangaroos are less frequently hunted than other species due to their smaller population. The red kangaroo is the largest of all marsupials, reaching a height of 160 centimeters (5’3″) and weighing as much as 90 kilograms (200 lbs). These powerful animals would excel in track and field, as they can jump as high as 183 centimeters (6 ft) and make long jumps of up to 8 meters (25 ft). They can also sprint at speeds of over 56 kilometers per hour (35 mph), with females generally being faster than males.
While modern kangaroos, especially the males, can be quite aggressive when provoked, they would be no match for their ancient relative, the Procopodon goliah, the largest known kangaroo species to have ever lived. This extinct giant was a short-faced kangaroo with claws on its hands and eyes that faced forward. These remarkable creatures grew to staggering heights of 198–299 centimeters (6’6″–9’10”) and could weigh up to 200 kilograms (440 lbs). They likely roamed harsh, semiarid regions and were adapted to a diet of tough, fibrous vegetation. Like modern kangaroos, their tiny babies developed in their mother’s pouch.
Unlike many of the animals on this list, whose closest living relatives resemble them closely, the Procopodon goliah may have more in common with a wallaby from Western Australia than with any modern kangaroo. Another mystery surrounding the giant kangaroos is why they vanished around 40,000 years ago. For a long time, researchers believed climate change was responsible, but newer evidence suggests humans may have contributed to their extinction through hunting. Regardless of the cause, the sight of these enormous creatures leaping toward us would be quite a terrifying experience today.
4. Beavers
Beavers are part of the rodent family and are renowned for their remarkable ability to reshape their environment to suit their needs. These hardworking animals build their homes in rivers and streams, constructing dome-shaped lodges from trees that they fell using their powerful, continuously growing teeth. Though their diet consists mainly of plants, beavers can become quite formidable when defending themselves. They are also known for their strong sense of family, as they mate for life and build their dams to house entire extended families. Beavers are the second-largest rodents after the capybara, growing to sizes ranging from 78 to 122 centimeters (2’6″–4′). Encountering an angry beaver protecting its family would definitely be something you’d want to avoid.
You certainly wouldn’t want to encounter the giant beaver that roamed North America during the last ice age. These colossal creatures could easily have overpowered today's largest rodent, measuring up to 244 centimeters (8 ft) in length and weighing a staggering 100 kilograms (220 lbs). While today’s beavers are known for their industriousness in building homes, little is known about how the giant beavers lived. They had incisors that grew to 15 centimeters (6 inches) and used their blunt teeth to grind up plants. Like many other megafauna, the two prevailing theories for their extinction are either climate change or overhunting by humans, with their disappearance occurring around 10,000 years ago, coinciding with the arrival of humans on the scene.
3. Turtle
Turtles are adorable shelled creatures. They are the only reptiles to have shells, yet they lack teeth. Turtles hold the unique distinction of having both a backbone and a shell, a rare combination. Most turtles live in aquatic environments and have webbed feet. From the freshwater snapping turtle, whose bite can snap off a big toe, to sea turtles that only come ashore to lay eggs, the turtle family is diverse. Not all turtles can withdraw entirely into their shells, but none can escape from them because their shells are an integral part of their body, made of the same material as fingernails and connected to their spine and ribcage. Turtles, along with their tortoise cousins, are known for their longevity, with some living beyond 150 years. The largest of these, the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, boasts a shell that measures an impressive 240 centimeters (8 ft) in length.
Turtles have existed for an astonishing 200 million years, but their early ancestors were nothing like the turtles we know today in terms of size. The largest known turtle was the archelon, discovered in South Dakota in the 1970s, and one of the most complete skeletal fossils found to date. This giant sea turtle measured 4.5 meters (15 ft) from head to tail and spanned 5 meters (16’6″) from flipper to flipper. Weighing in at more than 2,000 kilograms (4,500 lbs), scientists believe archelons spent their 100-year lifespans hunting squids from the sea. If modern snapping turtles can break twigs with their powerful jaws, imagine the force of a massive two-ton creature.
2. Pigs
Pigs can be the cutest house pets or—when provoked—formidable and dangerous adversaries. Tiny potbellied pigs became the most fashionable pet in 2010, with celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Paris Hilton rumored to own them. On the flip side, domesticated hogs can be deadly. In 2012, a farmer from Oregon tragically became a victim, eaten by his pigs. Pigs are known for quickly reverting to their wild instincts after just a few months of being feral. With tusks growing and their behavior becoming increasingly aggressive, they transform into fierce animals. These survivors will eat anything and can weigh over 454 kilograms (1,000 lbs). While wild boars are slightly smaller, the largest ones reach 272 kilograms (600 lbs) and 213 centimeters (7 ft) in length, yet they can still be highly dangerous.
Encountering an angry wild boar would certainly be a frightening experience, but imagine coming face to face with one that measured 365 centimeters (12 ft) long, nearly 2 meters (6 ft) tall, and weighed an astonishing 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lbs). Luckily, that’s not something we need to fear today. However, if you had a time machine and traveled back 5–23 million years ago, you could potentially cross paths with the daeodon. This giant entelodont artiodactyl was one of the largest to ever exist, equipped with tusks and immense crushing jaws. These fierce omnivores were the size of rhinos and likely more savage than their wild boar relatives. The name 'daeodon' was derived from its previous name, Dinohyus, which in Greek means 'terrible pig.' Terrifying, indeed.
1. Armadillos
The armadillo is the quintessential example of an animal that grows its own armor. This ancient species thrives in the Americas, particularly in Latin America. While the armadillo’s defining trait is its ability to curl into a hard ball protected by its shell, this defense mechanism is exclusive to the North American species. What makes all armadillos extraordinary is that they are the only mammals to sport living, bony shells. When they aren’t hibernating for up to 16 hours a day, armadillos are busy burrowing into the earth and hunting insects by scent. If they get bored of bugs, they are known to munch on plants, small animals, and even scavenge meat. Armadillos vary greatly in size, weighing anywhere from 85 grams (3 oz) to 54 kilograms (120 lbs) and ranging from 13 to 38 centimeters (5–15 in) in length, depending on the species.
Though not a small creature by any means, the armadillo's prehistoric ancestors, the holmesina, were even more impressive in size. These massive armored mammals grew to remarkable lengths of 198 centimeters (6’5″ ft), stood 100 centimeters (3’4″) tall, and weighed an estimated 300 kilograms (660 lbs). With tough, protective shells and armored helmets adorning their heads, they were far larger and more intimidating than modern armadillos. Despite their imposing appearance, these gentle giants were herbivores. Even so, coming face to face with one of these giant creatures from the past would certainly be a daunting experience.
