What's the Biggest Animal in the World?

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Blue whales can grow to 100 feet (30.5 meters) long and weigh about 400,000 pounds (181,437 kilograms).
(Image credit: Sburel | Dreamstime)

Diving to depths of 328 feet (100 meters) to munch on millions of krill each day, the blue whale takes the prize for the largest creature alive (and ever to exist!).

These blue-gray giants extend about 80 to 100 feet (24.4 to 30.5 m) in length and weigh about 400,000 pounds (181,437 kilograms). That's equivalent to the weight of 135 Volkswagen Beetles. Its tongue alone weighs 5,400 pounds (2,449 kg), And the heart of a blue whale is about the size of a VW Beetle.

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Michelle Bryner
Michelle writes about technology and chemistry for Live Science. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Salisbury University, a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and a degree in Science Journalism from New York University. She is an active Muay Thai kickboxer at Five Points Academy and loves exploring NYC with friends.