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A member of the order ], the ] (''Balaenoptera musculus'') is believed to be the largest animal ever to have lived. The maximum recorded weight was 190 ]s<ref>All masses in this article are given in metric tons (that is ]s).</ref> for a specimen measuring 30 m (98 ft), while longer ones, up to 33.4 m (110 ft), have been recorded but not weighed.<ref name = "Wood">Wood, Gerald ''The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats'' (1983) ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9</ref> |
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The ] (''Loxodonta africana''), of the order ], is the largest living land animal. A native of various open habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, this elephant is born commonly weighing about 100 kg (220 lb).{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} The largest elephant ever recorded was shot in ] in 1974. It was a male measuring 10.7 m (35 ft) from trunk to tail and 4.2 m (13.7 ft) lying on its side in a projected line from the highest point of the shoulder to the base of the forefoot, indicating a standing shoulder height of 4.0 m (13 ft).<ref name="Wood"/> |
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{{R from list topic}} |
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{{R from short name}} |
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;Table of heaviest living animals |
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The following is a list of the heaviest living animals, which are all ]s. These whales also qualify as the largest living mammals. Since no scale can accommodate the body of a large whale, most whales have been weighed by parts. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Rank |
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! Animal |
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! Average mass<br /> |
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! Maximum mass<br /> |
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! Average total length<br /> |
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| 1 || ] || 110<ref name="IWC">Mark Tandy. . Iwcoffice.org</ref> || 190<ref name = "Wood"/> || 25.5 (84)<ref>. The Marine Mammal Center</ref> |
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| 2 || ] || 60<ref>. Seagrant.uaf.edu (2008-02-15)</ref> || 120<ref name = "Wood"/> || 15.5 (51)<ref name="IWC"/> |
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| 3 || ] || 58<ref name="IWC"/> || 110<ref name= Stewart/> || 15.25 (50)<ref name="IWC"/> |
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| 4 || ] || 57<ref name="IWC"/> || 120<ref name= Stewart/> || 19.5 (64.3)<ref name="IWC"/> |
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| 5 || ] || 55<ref name="IWC"/><ref>. Maine.gov</ref> || 100<ref name= Euba>. Animal Info (2005-11-02)</ref> || 15 (49)<ref name= Euba/> |
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| 6 || ] || 54.5<ref name="IWC"/><ref>. Marinebio.org (2011-09-30)</ref> || 120<ref name = "Wood"/> || 15 (49)<ref name="IWC"/> |
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| 7 || ] || 31.25<ref name="IWC"/><ref name= Whitehead>Whitehead, H. (2002). ''Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus''. In Perrin, W., Würsig B. and Thewissen, J.. Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press. pp. 1165–1172. ISBN 0-12-551340-2</ref> || 57<ref name = "Wood"/> || 13.25 (43.5)<ref name="IWC"/><ref name= Whitehead/> |
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| 8 || ] || 29<ref name="IWC"/><ref>. Animal Info (2005-02-01)</ref> || 48<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QdlJ3SbwUIgC&pg=PA225|title=The mammals of Texas|author=David J. Schmidly, William B. Davis|publisher=University of Texas Press|year=2004}}</ref> || 13.5 (44)<ref name="IWC"/> |
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| 9 || ] || 22.5<ref name = "IWC"/> || 45<ref>. wdcs.org</ref> || 14.8 (49)<ref name="IWC"/> |
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| 10 || ] || 19.5<ref name="IWC"/> || 45<ref>{{cite book|author1=Bernd G. Würsig|author2=J. G. M. Thewissen|title=Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TwFUimDtz7sC&pg=PA70|year=2002|publisher=Gulf Professional Publishing|isbn=978-0-12-551340-1|page=70}}</ref> || 13.5 (44)<ref name="IWC"/> |
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;Table of heaviest terrestrial animals |
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<!-- ] redirects to this section ] if you change this section title, please update that redirect --> |
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The following is a list of the heaviest wild land animals, which are all mammals. The African elephant is now listed as two species, the ] and the ], as they are generally considered to be two separate species now.<ref>. News.nationalgeographic.com (2010-12-22)</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Rank |
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! Average mass<br /> |
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! Maximum mass<br /> |
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! Average total length<br /> |
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| 1 || ] |
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|| 4.9<ref>. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu</ref><ref>Georges Frei. . Upali.ch</ref> || 12.7<ref name="Wood"/> || 6 (18): Height* <ref>. The Animal Files</ref> |
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| 2 || ] || 4.15<ref name = "Wood"/><ref name= Elephas>Shoshani, J. and Eisenberg, J. F. . Mammalian Species (1982) 182:1–8</ref> || 8.0<ref name = "Wood"/> || 6.8 (22)<ref name= Elephas/> |
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| 3 || ] || 2.8 || 6.0<ref>. ARKive</ref> || 6.2 (20)<ref>. Wildpro.twycrosszoo.org</ref> |
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| 4 || ]{{dubious|Rhino|date=July 2012}} || 2.1<ref> {{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref><ref>. ARKive (2004-08-06)</ref> || 4.5<ref>. (2012-08-21)</ref> || 4.4 (14.5)<ref>. Animals.nationalgeographic.com</ref> |
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| 5 || ] || 1.9<ref>. ARKive</ref><ref>Laurie, W. A.; Lang, E. M. and Groves, C. P. . Mammalian Species (1983) 211:1–6</ref> || 4.0<ref name="BoitaniLuigi" /> || 4.2 (13.9)<ref>. Ultimateungulate.com</ref> |
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| 6 || ] || 1.8<ref>Eltringham, S.K. (1999). ''The Hippos''. Poyser Natural History Series. London: Academic Press. ISBN 0-85661-131-X.</ref><ref>. Learnanimals.com</ref> || 4.5<ref>{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref> || 4 (13.2)<ref>. Animals.nationalgeographic.com</ref> |
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| 7 || ] || 1.715<ref>. Animal Info (2005-11-26)</ref><ref>. Onehornedrhino.org</ref> || 2.3<ref>. ARKive</ref> || 3.8 (12.5)<ref> Edgeofexistence.org (2010-11-12)</ref> |
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| 8 || ] || 1.1<ref>. Animals.nationalgeographic.com</ref> || 2.9<ref>Kes Hillman-Smith, A. K. and Groves, C. P. . Mammalian species (1994) 455:1–8</ref> || 4 (13.2)<ref name="ref141" /> |
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| 9 || ] || 1.0<ref name = "Wood"/> || 2<ref>Owen-Smith, R. Norman, ''Megaherbivores: The Influence of Very Large Body Size on Ecology''. Cambridge University Press (1992), ISBN 978-0-521-42637-4</ref> || 5.15 (16.9)<ref name="theanimalfiles" /> |
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| 10 || ] || 0.95<ref name= China>Smith, A. T., Xie, Y. (eds.) (2008) . Princeton University Press, Princeton Oxforshire. p. 472 ISBN 0691099847</ref> || 1.5<ref name=China/> || 3.8 (12.5)<ref name= Seaworld>. Seaworld.org</ref> |
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*'''Tenrecs and allies''' (]) |
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:The largest of these insectivorous mammals is the ] (''Potamogale velox''), native to ]. This species can weigh up to 1 kg (2.2 lb) and measure 0.64 m (2.1 ft) in total length.<ref>. flashcardmachine.com</ref><ref>. Animal Diversity Web</ref> |
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] is the most massive of the even-toed ungulates.]] |
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{{Anchor|Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla)}} |
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*'''Even-toed ungulates''' (]) |
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**The largest species in terms of weight is the ] (''Hippopotamus amphibius''), native to the rivers of sub-Saharan Africa. This beast can reach a size of 4,500 kg (10,000 lb), 4.8 m (16 ft) long and 1.66 m (5.5 ft) tall.<ref>. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu.</ref> Prehistoric hippos such as '']'' and '']'' rivaled or exceeded the modern species as the largest members of the family and order to ever exist. |
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**The longest-bodied species, and tallest of all living land animals, is the ] (''Giraffa camelopardalis''), measuring up to 5.8 m (19.3 ft) tall to the top of the head, and despite being relatively slender, reaching a top weight of 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).<ref>Daniel Wallis. . Reuters (2007-12-22)</ref> |
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**The largest ] representative of the ], a diverse and well-known family, is the Asian forest-dwelling ] (''Bos gaurus''), in which bulls can weigh up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb), 4.5 m (15 ft) in total length and stand 2.2 m (7.2 ft) at the shoulder.<ref>. Programs.wcs.org</ref><ref>Smith, Andrew T. & Xie, Yan (eds.), ''A Guide to the Mammals of China''. Princeton University Press (2008), ISBN 978-0-691-09984-2</ref> The extinct ] (''Bison latifrons'') may be the largest bovid in the fossil record, with an estimated shoulder up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and a weight over 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).<ref>. Dinosaurs.about.com (2010-12-18)</ref> ] (''Bos primigenius taurus'') are usually smaller, although obese steers have been reported to weigh up to 2,140 kg (4,700 lb).<ref>McWhirter, Norris & Ross, ''Guinness Book of Records'', Redwood Press, Trowbridge, 1968.</ref> |
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**The largest species in the pig family is generally the ] (''Hylochoerus meinertzhageni''), a native of the African rainforests, at up to 275 kg (610 lb), 2.55 m (8.4 ft) in length and 1.1 m (3.6 ft) high at the shoulder.<ref>. Ultimateungulate.com</ref> Although ]s (''Sus scrofa'') have reportedly reached 320 kg (710 lb) historically, especially the Manchurian subspecies (Sus scrofa ussuricus)<ref>. Ultimateungulate.com</ref> and obese domestic pigs (''S. s. domesticus'') which have been weighed at 1,157 kg (2,550 lb). The largest wild suid to ever exist was '']'', having measured up to 550 kg (1,200 lb) and stood more than 1.3 m (4.3 ft) tall at the shoulder.<ref>. tesorosnaturales.es</ref> |
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**The largest living ] is the ] (''Alces alces''), particularly the Alaskan subspecies, verified at up to 820 kg (1,800 lb), a total length of 3.5 m (11 ft) and a shoulder height of 2.4 m (7.9 ft).<ref name = "Wood"/> The extinct ] (''Megaloceros giganteus'') and the ] (''Cervalces scotti'') were of similar or of slightly larger size than the Alaskan Moose. However, the Irish Elk could have antlers spanning up to 4.3 m (14 ft) across, about twice the maximum span for a Moose's antlers.<ref>David Petersen. . Motherearthnews.com (1989-03-01)</ref> |
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**The largest members of the ] family are either the ] (''Camelus bactrianus''), which is still wild in the steppe of central Asia, or the similarly sized ] (''Camelus dromedarius''), which no longer exists as a purely wild species but is widespread in the Middle East as a domestic animal, with a large ] in Australia. Both camels can weigh up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), 4 m (13 ft) in total length, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall at the shoulder and a height of 3.45 m (11.3 ft) at the hump.<ref>Ryan Yee. . Laurier.vsb.bc.ca</ref><ref>. denverzoo.org</ref><ref>. Edgeofexistence.org (2010-11-12)</ref> Several giant camels are known from fossils, the previous record holders, '']'' and '']'' from North America, both possibly reached 2,485.6 kg (5,500 lb) and a shoulder height of over 3.4 m (11 ft).<ref>. Intechinc.com (2011-07-05)</ref><ref>{{cite doi|10.4202/app.2010.0005}}</ref> A newly discovered, unnamed fossil species commonly called the ] may have been even larger, at an estimated shoulder height of 3.6 or even 4 m (12–13 ft).<ref>James Owen (2006-10-11). . News.nationalgeographic.com</ref> |
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]]] |
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*'''Carnivorans''' (]) |
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**The largest carnivoran as well as the largest ] is the ] (''Mirounga leonina''), attaining sizes up to 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) in weight and 6.9 m (22.5 ft) in length.<ref name = "Wood"/> |
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**The largest living land carnivore, on average, is the ] (''Ursus maritimus''), however, at maximum sizes it is matched by the ](''Ursus arctos middendorffi''), a ] subspecies. Both reaching shoulder heights over 1.6 m (5.2 ft) and total lengths as much as 3.1 m (10 ft). The heaviest wild polar and brown bear weights recorded were, respectively, 1,002 kg (2,209 lb) and 750 kg (1,653 lb).<ref name="Wood"/><ref name="Burnie">Burnie D and Wilson DE (Eds.), ''Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife''. DK Adult (2005), ISBN 0789477645</ref><ref>Brown, Gary, ''The Great Bear Almanac''. Lyons & Burford, Publishers (1993), ISBN 978-1-55821-474-3</ref> The Largest panda ] (''Aliuropoda melanouca'') of China The giant panda has a black-and-white coat. Adults measure around {{convert|1.2|to|1.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} long, including a tail of about {{convert|13|cm|in|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|60|to|90|cm|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giantpandaonline.org/naturalhistory/description.htm |title=Physical Description |publisher=Giant Panda Species Survival Plan |accessdate=26 October 2011}}</ref> Males can weigh up to {{convert|160|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>Boitani, Luigi, ''Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals''. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone Books (1984), ISBN 978-0-671-42805-1</ref> Females (generally 10–20% smaller than males)<ref name="Bearalmanac">{{cite book |author=Brown, Gary |title=Great Bear Almanac |year=1996 |page = 340 |isbn=1-55821-474-7}}</ref> can weigh as little as {{convert|75|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, but can also weigh up to {{convert|125|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=wwf1/><ref> (2011).</ref> Average adult weight is {{convert|100|to|115|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref> (2011).</ref> The largest ], and the largest known mammalian land carnivore of all time, was '']''. The largest specimen yet found is estimated to weight up to 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) and stood up to 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) tall on the hind-limbs.<ref>Dell'Amore, C. (2011): , National Geographic News (2011-02-03)</ref> |
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**The largest living members of the ] family and the largest tiger subspecies are the ] (''Panthera tigris altaica'') and the ] (''P. t. tigris'') reaching up 3.5 m (11 ft) in total length and standing up to 1.21 m (4.0 ft) at the shoulder.<ref name = "Wood"/> with reports of males up to 384 kg (847 lb) and 389 kg (858 lb) respectively, males average around 230 kg (500 lb) and normally reach as much as 310 kg (675 lb). The largest members of the Felidae family were the extinct ] (''Panthera leo atrox''), averaging 256 kg (564 lb) and the saber-toothed cat '']'' of which the largest males might have exceeded 400 kg (882 lb), matched by captive ]s (hybrids between lions and tigers) which can grow up to non-obese weights over 410 kg (904 lb)<ref>. Ligerworld.com</ref> is although ] (''Felis silvestris''). the largest specimens are although its weight is similar to the average housecat, as males of the species weigh an average of 5 kg (11 lb) and females 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), with strong seasonal weight fluctuations of up to 2.5 kg.<ref name=wilder2/> The wildcat's thick fur, size and non-tapered tail are its distinguishing traits; it normally would not be mistaken for the domestic cat, although in practice, it is less clear whether the two are frequently correctly distinguished, as one study showed an error rate of 39%.<ref name=csg/> Predominantly nocturnal, the wildcat is active in the daytime in the absence of human disturbance.<ref name=wilder2/> Domestic cats are similar in size to the other members of the genus ''Felis'', typically weighing between {{convert|4|-|5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Mattern" /> However, some ], such as the ], can occasionally exceed 11 kg (25 lb). Conversely, very small cats (less than {{convert|1.8|kg|lb|abbr=on}}) have been reported |
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**The largest living member of ] is the ] (''Canis lupus''). The largest specimens from the ] (''C. l. occidentalis'') or the ] (''C. l. lupus'') weigh up to 80–86 kg (180–190 lb) and measure up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in total length and 0.9 m (3.0 ft) tall at the shoulder. Eurasian wolves from the ]n area have even been reported to weigh as much as 90–96 kg (200–210 lb), though these figures require verification.<ref>Heptner, V. G.; Naumov, N. P. (1998). ''Mammals of the Soviet Union Vol. II Part 1a, Sirenia and Carnivora (Sea cows; Wolves and Bears)''. Science Publishers, USA. ISBN 1-886106-81-9</ref><ref>. Commonsenseforanimals.org</ref> Domestic dogs can occasionally grow heavier, up to 155.6 kg (343 lb).<ref name="Young1998">{{cite book|author=Mark Young|title=The Guinness book of world records, 1998|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ZSyswNFqTycC|accessdate=3 April 2013|date=2 March 1998|publisher=Bantam Books|isbn=978-0-553-57895-9|page=352}}</ref> The largest known canid is an extinct member of subfamilly Borophaginae, '']''. The largest known specimen of this species weighed an estimated 170 kg (370 lb).<ref>{{cite doi|10.1111/j.1502-3931.2007.00091.x}}</ref> |
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**The largest and most diverse family of carnivores, the ], reaches their maximum size (by mass) in the ] (''Enhydra lutris'') of the North Pacific coasts, at up to 54 kg (120 lb), and (by length) the ] (''Pteronura brasiliensis'') of the Amazonian rainforests, at up to 2.4 m (7.9 ft) in total.<ref>''The Wildlife Year''.The Reader's Digest Association, (1991). ISBN 0-276-42012-8.</ref><ref>. Seaworld.org</ref> The largest mustelid to ever exist was likely the odd cat-like '']'' from Africa, about the size of a ] and filling a similar ecological niche before big cats came to the continent. Another contender for largest of this family is the wolverine-like '']'', which according to older estimates could have reached the size af a black bear. Newer estimates, however, significantly downgrade its size, although, at a maximum weight more than twice that of a wolverine, it is larger than most (if not all) living mustelids. |
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**The largest species in the ''Herpestidae'' (]) family is the African ] (''Ichneumia albicauda''), at up to 6 kg (13 lb) and 1.18 m (3.9 ft) long. |
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**The largest species in the ] family is the Asian ] (''Arctictis binturong''), at up to 27 kg (60 lb) and 1.85 m (6.1 ft) long, about half of which is tail.<ref>. Wisegeek.com</ref><ref name="Kingdon">Kingdon, Jonathan ''Kingdon Guide to African Mammals'' (1993) ISBN 978-0-85112-235-9</ref> The largest viverrid known to have existed is '']'', which was around the size of a wolf or small leopard at 41 kg (90 lb).<ref>Alan Turner, ''National Geographic Prehistoric Mammals'' National Geographic, 2004, ISBN 0792271343</ref> |
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**The largest modern species in the ] family is the ] (''Crocuta crocuta'') of sub-Saharan Africa, at up to a maximum weight of 86–90 kg (190–200 lb).<ref>{{dead link|date=October 2011}}</ref> Spotted hyenas can range up to 2.13 m (7.0 ft) in total length and 93 cm (37 in) tall at the shoulder.<ref name="Kingdon"/> The largest fossil hyena is the lion-sized '']'', estimated at 200 kg (440 lb).<ref>{{cite doi|10.1016/S0016-6995(96)80005-2}}</ref> |
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**The largest living procyonid is the ] (''Procyon lotor'') of North American, having a body length of {{convert|40|to|70|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a body weight of {{convert|3.5|to|9|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The extinct '']'' of South America was the largest known member of this family, about {{convert|1.5|m|ft}} in body length. |
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**The largest skunk is generally concidered the striped skunk, which can weigh up to 6.35 kg (14 lb) and reaches lenghts of up to 70 cm (2.3 ft). The ] (''Conepatus leuconotus'') is longer reaching lengths of up to 82.5 cm (2.7 ft), but is less heavy, only up to 10 lb (4.5 kg). |
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] is the largest ].]] |
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*'''Whales''' (]) |
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**The largest whale and animal is the previously mentioned blue whale, a ] (Mysticeti). Its closest competitors are also baleen whales, the ] (''Balaenoptera physalus''), which can reach a size of 27 m (89 ft) in length and weight of 109 tonnes, and the ] (''Balaena mysticetus'') and ] (''Eubalaena japonica''), both measured up to 21.2 m (70 ft) and estimated at that length to weigh about 133 tonnes.<ref name = "Wood"/><ref name= Stewart>Stewart, et al, ''National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World''. Knofp (2002), ISBN 978-0-375-41141-0</ref> |
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**The largest toothed whale (Odontoceti) is the ] (''Physeter macrocephalus''), bulls of which usually range up to 18.2 m (60 ft) long and a mass of 50 tonnes. Whaling records and skeletal remains have indicated that, in the past, sperm whales could have grown to 26 m (85 ft) long.<ref name = "Wood"/> |
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**The ] or killer whale (''Orcinus orca'') is the largest species of the oceanic ] family. The largest Orca ever recorded was a male off the coast of Japan, measuring 9.7 m (32 ft) long and weighed 10 tonnes.<ref>. Seaworld.org</ref> |
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**The largest porpoise is the ] (''Phocoenoides dalli''), at up to 220 kg (490 lb) and 2.3 m (7.6 ft) in length.<ref name= Stewart/> |
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**The largest ] is the ] (''Berardius bairdii'') at up to 14 tonnes and 13 m (43 ft) long.<ref>. Harmlesslion.com</ref> |
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] is about as large as a ].]] |
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*'''Bats''' (]) |
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**The largest ] species is the ] (''Acerodon jubatus''), an ] ] from the rainforests of the Philippines that is part of the ] family. The maximum size of this species is 1.5 kg (3.3 lb), 55 cm (22 in) a length, and a wingspan that may be almost 1.8 m (5.9 ft). The ] (''Pteropus vampyrus'') is smaller in body mass and length, but it has been known to exceed the Golden-crowned species in wingspan. Specimens have been verified to 1.83 m (6.0 ft) and possibly up to 2 m (6.6 ft) in wingspan.<ref name = "Wood"/> |
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**The ]al ] (''Vampyrum spectrum''), at up to 95 g (3.4 oz), 14 cm (5.5 in) long and about 0.9 m (3.0 ft) in wingspan, is believed to be the largest carnivorous bat, belonging to the ] suborder.<ref>. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu (2003-05-12)</ref> |
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*'''Armadillos''' (]) |
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**The extant giant of this group is the ] (''Priodontes maximus''), native to tropical South America. The top size for this species is 54 kg (120 lb), 0.55 m (1.8 ft) high at the shoulder and 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length, although captive specimens can weigh up to 80 kg (176 lb).<ref>. Animals.nationalgeographic.com</ref><ref>. faunaparaguay.com</ref> |
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**Much larger prehistoric examples are known, especially '']'' of the Americas, which probably averaged around 2 tonnes and could reach 4 m (13 ft) in total length and 1.53 m (5.0 ft) high at the top of the shelled back.<ref>. Angelfire.com (2003-06-07)</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app51-407.html|journal=Acta Palaeontologica Polonica|title=Paleoecology of the large carnivore guild from the late Pleistocene of Argentina|author=Francisco J. Prevosti and Sergio F. Vizcaíno |volume=51 |issue=3|pages=407–422|year=2006}}</ref> |
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*'''Colugos''' (]) |
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:Of the two ] species in the order ''Dermoptera'' of gliding arboreal mammals in ], the largest and most common is the ] (''Cynocephalus varigatus''). The maximum size is 2 kg (4.4 lb) and 73 cm (29 in) in length.<ref>Nowak, Ronald E., ''Walker's Mammals of the World''. The Johns Hopkins Press (1999), ISBN 978-0-8018-5789-8</ref> |
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*'''Hedgehogs and gymnures''' (]) |
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:The largest of this order and family of prickly-skinned, small mammals is the ] (''Echinosorex gymnura''), native to the rainforests of the Malaysian Peninsula as well as Sumatra and Borneo. The maximum size of this species is over 2 kg (4.4 lb) and 60 cm (24 in).<ref name = "Wood"/> The moonrat is a member of the same family as hedgehogs, which are typically much smaller than the Moonrat. Even larger was the giant gymnure '']'' from Miocene Europe. It was estimated to grow larger then a house cat. |
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*'''Hyraxes''' (]) |
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:The largest species of hyrax seems to be the ] (''Procavia capensis''), at up to 5.4 kg (12 lb) and 73 cm (29 in) long. Prehistorically, the hyraxes were, for a time, the primary terrestrial herbivores in ], and some forms grew as large as ]s.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1023/A:1025504124129}}</ref> |
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] is one of the largest living lagomorphs]] |
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*'''Rabbits, hares, and pikas''' (]) |
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:The largest extant wild species may be the ] (''Lepus europaeus''), native to western and central Eurasia. This lagomorph can range up to 7 kg (15 lb) in weight and 0.85 m (2.8 ft) in total length.<ref>. Purpleopurple.com</ref> However, the ] (''Lepus othus'') has almost the same exact body-proportions and weighs slightly more, averaging 4.8 kg (11 lb) and reaching a maximum mass of 7.2 kg (16 lb).<ref>Best, T. L. and Henry, T. H. . Mammalian Species (1994) 458:1–5</ref> Also, an occasional ] (''L. arcticus'') can also weigh as much as 7 kg (15 lb) but is typically smaller overall than the European and Alaskan species.<ref>. Animals.nationalgeographic.com</ref> The largest ] breed is the ], which can attain a maximum known weight of 12.7 kg (28 lb). The largest lagomorph ever was '']'', native to ], which could have possibly grown up to 23 kg (51 lb).<ref>. Vertpaleo.org</ref> |
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*'''Elephant shrews''' (]) |
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:The elephant shrews are named for their combination of long, trunk-like snouts and long legs combined with a general shrew-like body form, but these animals are in fact not closely related to any other extant order (including tree shrews) and are a unique group behaviorly and in appearance. The largest species is the recently discovered ] (''Rhynchocyon udzungwensis''), known only from the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya. This elephant shrew can range up to 0.75 kg (1.7 lb) and a length of 0.6 m (2.0 ft).<ref>. News.nationalgeographic.com (2010-10-28)</ref><ref>. ARKive</ref> |
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*'''Marsupials''' (]) |
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**The ] are is largest opossums ] (''Didelphis virginiana'') from North America Virginia opossums can vary considerably in size, with larger specimens found to the north of the opossum's range and smaller specimens in the tropics. They measure 13–37 ]es (35–94 ]) long from their snout to the base of the tail, with the tail adding another 8.5–19 ]es (21.6–47 ]). Weight for males ranges from 1.7 to 14 pounds (0.8–6.4 ]) and for females from 11 ounces to 8.2 pounds (0.3–3.7 ]).<ref>. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu (1974-05-02). Retrieved on 2011-09-15.</ref> They are one of the world's most variably sized mammals, since a large male from northern North America weighs about 20 times as much as a small |
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**The ] (''Macropus rufus'') of Australia is the largest living ], and the largest member of the kangaroo family. These lanky mammals has been verified to 91 kg (200 lb) and 2.18 m (7.1 ft) when standing completely upright.<ref name="Wood"/> Unconfirmed specimens have been reported up to 150 kg (330 lb).<ref>. furrynewsnetwork.com (July 2011)</ref> Prehistoric kangaroos reached even larger sizes. '']'' was one of the largest known kangaroo that ever existed, standing approximately 2 m (6.6 ft) and weighing about 230 kg (510 lb).<ref name=AustrlianMuseum>{{cite web |url=http://australianmuseum.net.au/Procoptodon-goliah/ |title=Procoptodon goliah|publisher=Australian Museum |work= |accessdate=2012-03-22}}</ref> Some species from the genus '']'' were similar in size as well. |
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**The ] ''(Lasiorhinus kreffti)'' is the largest ] alive today with a head and body length up to 102 cm (40 inches) and a weight of up to 40 kg (88 lb). Prehistorically, this suborder contained many huge marsupials, including the largest to ever exist: '']''. This rhino-sized herbivore would have reached more than 3.3 m (11 ft) in length and stood 1.83 m (6 ft) at shoulder and was estimated to weigh up to 3,000 kg (6,600 lb).<ref>. BBC (2008-07-25)</ref><ref>. News.nationalgeographic.com (2010-10-28)</ref> |
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**The ] (''Sarcophilus harrisii''), endemic to ], is the largest living ]. These stocky mammals can range up to 14 kg (31 lb) and 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in total length.<ref>{{cite doi|10.1073/pnas.0711236105 }}</ref><ref>. The Animal Files</ref> The recently extinct ] ''(Thylacinus cynocephalus)'', a close relative of the devil, grew larger and was the largest member of the group to survive into modern times. The largest measured specimen was 290 cm (9.5 ft) from nose to tail. |
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**The largest ever carnivorous marsupials to exist would have been the Australian ] (''Thylacoleo'') and the South American ] (''Thylacosmilus'') both ranging from 1.5 m (5.0 ft) to 1.8 m (6.0 ft) long and weighing between 100 and 160 kg (220–350 lbs).<ref>{{cite doi|10.1071/ZO99006}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=A New Marsupial Saber-Tooth from the Pliocene of Argentina and Its Relationships to Other South American Predacious Marsupials|author=Elmer S. Riggs|journal=Transactions of the American Philosophical Society|volume=24|issue= 1|year=1934|pages=1–32|jstor=3231954}}</ref> Interestingly, both were not closely related to the true marsupial carnivores of today. Rather, the marsupial lion was most closely related to the herbivorous ], while Thylacosmilus was a member of the order ], a group which may not have even been true marsupials. |
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*'''Monotreme mammals''' (]) |
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:The largest ] ] (egg-bearing mammal) is the ] (''Zaglossus bruijni'') weighing up to 16.5 kg (36.4 lb) and measuring 1 m (3.3 ft) long.<ref>. rarestzoo.blogspot.com (2006-07-02)</ref> The largest monotreme ever was the extinct ] species '']'', known only from a few bones found in ]. It was the size of a sheep, weighing probably up to 100 kg (220 lb). |
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]]] |
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*'''Odd-toed Ungulates''' (]) |
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**The largest extant species is the ] (''Ceratotherium simum''). The largest size this species can attain is 4,500 kg (10,000 lb), 4.7 m (15 ft) in total length, and 2 m (6.6 ft) tall at the shoulder.<ref name=Now>. Safari Now</ref> It is slightly larger than the ] (''Rhinoceros unicornis''), which can range up to a weight of 4,000 kg (8,800 lb).<ref name="BoitaniLuigi">Boitani, Luigi, ''Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals''. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone Books (1984), ISBN 978-0-671-42805-1</ref> The extinct '']'' was the largest rhino to ever exist. It stood approximately 2 m (7 ft) tall at the shoulder, up to 5 m (17 ft) long (excluding horn), and weighed from {{convert|3000|to|5000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>. Sinammonite.deviantart.com</ref> |
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**The largest extant wild ]s are the ] (''Equus grevyi''), at up to 450 kg (990 lb), a shoulder height of 1.6 m (5.2 ft) and total length of 3.8 m (12 ft).<ref>. Edgeofexistence.org (2006-12-15)</ref> Until it was domesticated into extinction the ] (''E. ferus'') was the largest equid. Domestic horses can reach a maximum weight of 1,524 kg (3,360 lb) and shoulder height of 2.2 m (7.2 ft), probably far greater than the sizes attained by the wild horse.<ref>. Angelfire.com</ref> The largest prehistoric horse was '']'' of North America. It was estimated to grow around the same size as the aforementioned domestic horse. |
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**The largest of the tapirs is the ] ''(Tapirus indicus)'', the only member of the family outside of South America. Maximum size is about 2.5 m (8 ft) in length, 1.8 m (3.5 ft) tall at the shoulder, and up to 540 kg (1,200 lb) in weight.<ref>Wilson & Burnie, Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife. DK ADULT (2001), ISBN 978-0-7894-7764-4</ref> |
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**The largest land mammal ever was '']'' or ''Indricotherium'' (formerly known as the ''Baluchitherium''), a member of this order. The largest known species (''Paraceratherium orgosensis'') is believed to have stood up to 5.5 m (18 ft) tall, measured over 9 m (30 ft) long and may have weighed up to 20 tonnes.<ref>. Bbc.co.uk</ref> |
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*'''Pangolins''' (]) |
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:The largest species of ] is the ] (''Manis gigantea''), at up to 1.7 m (5.8 ft) and at least 40 kg (88 lb).<ref name="Kingdon"/> |
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] is one of the largest neotropical mammals]] |
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*'''Anteaters and sloths''' (]) |
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**The largest species is easily the ] (''Myrmecophaga tridactyla''). A large adult can weigh as much as 65 kg (143 lb), be over 0.6 m (2.0 ft) tall at the shoulder and measure 2.4 m (8 ft) in overall length.<ref>. Lycos.com</ref> |
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**The largest living ]s are the ] (''Choloepus didactylus'') and ]s (''C. hoffmanni''), which both can range up to 10 kg (22 lb) and 0.86 m (2.8 ft) long.<ref>{{cite pmid|8552600}}</ref><ref>.</ref> |
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**The sloths attained much larger sizes prehistorically, the largest of which were '']'' which, at an estimated average weight of 4.5 tonnes and standing height of 5.1 m (17 ft), was about the same size as the ].<ref>. Paleocraft.com</ref> |
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] is the largest living primate.]] |
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*'''Primates''' (]) |
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**The ]s (''Gorilla gorilla'' & ''G. beringei'') are the most massive living primates. The largest race is the ] (''G. b. graueri''), with males average 140–200 kg (310–440 lb), 1 m (3.3 ft) tall at the shoulder while on all fours and 1.65–1.75 m (5.4–5.7 ft) tall when standing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gorilla beringei graueri conservation status summary|url=http://www.naturalsciences.be/science/projects/gorilla/external/pdf/Gorilla_beringei_graueri_en.pdf|publisher=naturalsciences.be|accessdate=10 June 2012|format=PDF}}</ref> The tallest wild gorilla (from the Mountain gorilla race, ''G. b. beringei'') stood 1.94 m (6.6 ft) and the heaviest wild one massed 266 kg (590 lb), although heavier weights have been observed in captivity.<ref name = "Wood"/> The great ape '']'', which lived in Asia between 1 million and 300,000 years ago, is the largest primate known to have existed. It was estimated to stand 3 m (10 ft) tall and to weigh up to 550 kg (1200 lb).<ref>{{cite web|last=Ciochon|first=Russell L.|title=The ape that was|url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~bioanth/giganto.html|accessdate=10 June 2012}}</ref> |
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**The largest of the ]s is the ] (''Mandrillus sphinx'') with large males being up to 50 kg (110 lb), 90 cm (3 ft) long and 50 cm (20 in) at the shoulders.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mandril (Mandrillus sphinx)|url=http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/choose-a-species/mammals/primates/monkeys/mandrillus-sphinx|accessdate=10 June 2012}}</ref> The prehistoric baboon '']'' grew even larger than modern Mandrills, weighing as much as a grown man. |
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**The largest ] is the ] (''Brachyteles arachnoides''), up to 15 kg (33 lb) and 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in total length.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides)|url=http://www.arkive.org/southern-muriqui/brachyteles-arachnoides/#text=Facts|accessdate=10 June 2012}}</ref> |
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**The largest ] is the ] (''Indri indri'') which can weigh up to 12 kg (26 lb) and 90 cm (3 ft) in total length, though one fossil lemur, '']'', was gorilla-sized at 200 kg (440 lb).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Indri ( the biggest lemur in the world, in Madagascar )|url=http://www.pensee-chretienne.org/madagascar_ravo_ftrav/indri_indri_e.htm|accessdate=10 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = William L. Jungers, Laurie R. Godfrey, Elwyn L. Simons, and Prithijit S. Chatrath | title = Phalangeal curvature and positional behavior in extinct sloth lemurs (Primates, Palaeopropithecidae) | date = 1997-10-28 | journal = PNAS | volume = 94 | issue = 22 | pages= 11998–12001 | pmc=23681 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.94.22.11998 | pmid = 11038588}}</ref> |
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**]s can attain ] of up to 636 kg (1400 lb) as well as ] of up to 2.72 m (8.9 ft), however, these are cases of morbid ], ], ] or other medical malady, though even when not afflicted with gigantism, humans are the tallest living primates. |
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], the largest living terrestrial animal.]] |
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*'''Elephants, mammoths, and mastodons''' (]) |
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**The ], with an average weight of around 5 tonnes, is the largest extant member of the order Proboscidea. Extinct species did not generally dwarf it but some could grow somewhat larger, including the ] (''M. trogontherii'') of Asia and '']'' of Africa, each of these species possibly exceeding a shoulder height of 4.6 m (15 ft) and 12 tonnes in weight. |
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**'']'' rivaled those proboscideans in size, and was the largest member of its family (Deinotheriidae). |
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] is the largest living rodent.]] |
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*'''Rodents''' (]) |
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**The largest living ] is the ] (''Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris''), native to most of the tropical and ] parts of South America east of the ], always near water. Full-grown capybaras can reach 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long and 0.9 m (3.0 ft) tall at the shoulder and a maximum weight of 105.4 kg (232 lb). |
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**The second largest living rodent is the ] (''Castor canadensis''), which favors water perhaps even more than its larger cousin. Outsized male beaver specimens have been recorded up to 50 kg (110 lb), which is about twice the normal weight for a beaver, and 1.7 m (5.6 ft) in total length.<ref>. Timberwolfinformation.org</ref><ref>. Nationalzoo.si.edu</ref> The ] (''C. fiber'') is close to the same average size, but is known to top out around a mass of 31.7 kg (70 lb).<ref>Kitchener, Andrew (2001). ''Beavers''. p. 144. ISBN 1-873580-55-X.</ref> The largest of this family is the extinct ] of North America. It grew over 8 ft (2.4 m) in length and weighed roughly 60 to 100 kg (130 to 220 lb), also making it one of the largest rodents to ever exist. |
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**The largest species in the ] family is the ] (''Marmota caligata'') of the ], at up to 13.5 kg (30 lb) and 0.8 m (2.6 ft) long.<ref>. Nature.ca</ref><ref>. Collections.burkemuseum.org</ref> |
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**The largest porcupines is are ] (''Hystrix africaeaustralis'')of Central Africa {{convert|63|to|81|cm|in|abbr=off}} long from the head to the base of the tail, with the tail adding a further {{convert|11|-|20|cm|in|abbr=off}}.<ref name=Barthelmess2006>{{cite journal | author = Barthelmess, E.L. | year = 2006 | title = ''Hystrix africaeaustralis'' | journal = Mammalian Species | pages = Number 788: pp. 1–7 | doi = 10.1644/788.1}}</ref> They weigh from {{convert|10|to|24|kg|lb|abbr=off}}, with exceptionally large specimens weighing up to {{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}};<ref name="Burnie">Burnie D and Wilson DE (Eds.), ''Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife''. DK Adult (2005), ISBN 0789477645</ref><ref></ref> males and females are not significantly different in size.<ref name=Barthelmess2006/> |
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**The largest ] is the ] of Africa. It grows up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in total length and can weight up to 4 kg (9 lb).<ref>. News.yahoo.com (2011-11-15)</ref> |
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**The largest known rodent ever is '']'', an ] species known only from ]s found in Uruguay. It was approximately 3 m (10 ft) long and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall, and is estimated to have weighed 1.5–2.5 tonnes.<ref name=Rinderknecht>{{cite pmid |18198140}}</ref> Prior to the description of ''J. monesi'', the largest known rodent species were from the genus '']'', of which two species have been discovered. An almost complete skeleton of the slightly smaller ] species, '']'', was discovered in ] in 2000; it was approximately 3 m (10 ft) long, with an additional 1.5 m (5 ft) tail, and probably weighed around 700 kg (1,540 lb).<ref>{{cite doi|10.1126/science.1089332 }}</ref> |
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*'''Tree shrews''' (]) |
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:The largest of the tree shrews seems to be the ] (''Tupaia glis''), at up to 187 g (6.6 ]) and 40 cm (17 in).<ref>. The Animal Files</ref> |
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], the largest living sirenian, can weigh well over a ton.]] |
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*'''Dugongs and manatees''' (]) |
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**The largest living species in the order '']'' of ]s and ]s is the ] (''Trichechus manatus''). The largest manatees are found in the Florida subspecies. The maximum recorded size of this species was 1,655 kg (3,650 lb) and a total length of 4.6 m (15 ft).<ref name = "Wood"/><ref>. seaworld.org</ref> |
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**The extinct ] (''Hydrodamalis gigas'') was the largest member to ever exist, growing up to at least 7.9 m (26 ft) long and weighing up to 11 tonnes.<ref>. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu</ref> It was a member of the ] family. |
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*'''Shrews and moles''' (]) |
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**The largest species of this order is the ], males of which can weigh up to 1 kg (35.3 oz) and reach lengths of 32 cm (12.6 in). |
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**The largest species of shrew, typically among the smallest-bodied of mammals, is the ] (''Suncus murinus''), weighing up to 100 g (3.5 oz) and reach lengths of up to 16 cm (6.3 in).<ref>. Zootierliste.de</ref> |
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**The largest mole is the amphibious ] (''Desmana moschata''), with a total length of up to 43 cm (1.4 ft) and an upper weight of 520 g (1.1 lb).<ref>. Lang-8 (2010-02-26)</ref> |
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*'''Aardvark''' (]) |
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:The only species in this order is the unique ] (''Orycteropus afer'') of sub-Saharan Africa. Aardvarks are typically up to 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in length with an average weight of up to 65 kg (140 lb) and a shoulder height up to 0.65 m (2.1 ft).<ref>. Edgeofexistence.org (2006-05-18)</ref> However, individuals as large as 2.2 m (7.2 ft) and as heavy as 100 kg (220 lb) are recorded.<ref>. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu.</ref> |
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*'''Other mammals''' |
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**An ancient relative of ungulates, '']'', may have been the largest carnivorous land mammal ever, despite almost all living species being herbivorous. Known only from a 0.83 m (2.7 ft) skull found in Mongolia, about twice the length of a ] skull, this great beast has been estimated to range as high in size as 2 m (6.6 ft) at the shoulder and 4.5 m (15 ft) in length.<ref>. ABC</ref> Weight estimates range anywhere from 454 to 1,816 kg (1,000 to 4,000 lb) based on the unknown proportion of the skull's size relative to the body size.<ref>Osborn, H. F. . American Museum novitates (1924) 146</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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] |
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