Some animals are so familiar to us that we think we know everything about them, including their size. But sometimes, we might be surprised by how big or small they actually are in reality. Here are 10 animals that are bigger than you think.
1. Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest living primates and the closest living relatives of humans after chimpanzees and bonobos. They can weigh up to 200 kilograms (440 pounds) and stand up to 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. They have muscular arms and chests that make them look even more imposing. They live in the forests of central Africa and feed mainly on plants.
2. Giant Squid
Giant squids are elusive creatures that live in the deep ocean and are rarely seen by humans. They are the largest invertebrates on Earth, with their bodies reaching up to 10 meters (33 feet) long and their tentacles up to 18 meters (59 feet) long. They have huge eyes that can measure up to 27 centimeters (11 inches) in diameter, the largest of any animal. They prey on fish, crustaceans, and other squids.
3. Saltwater Crocodile
Saltwater crocodiles are the largest and most aggressive of all crocodilians. They can grow up to 7 meters (23 feet) long and weigh up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds). They have powerful jaws that can crush bones and shells with ease. They live in the coastal regions of Asia and Australia and can swim in both saltwater and freshwater. They feed on fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, and even humans.
4. Wandering Albatross
Wandering albatrosses are the largest flying birds in the world, with a wingspan of up to 3.5 meters (11 feet). They can fly for hours without flapping their wings, using the wind currents to glide over the ocean. They can travel up to 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles) in a single journey and circumnavigate the globe in less than a year. They feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans.
5. Giant Clam
Giant clams are the largest living bivalves on Earth, with their shells reaching up to 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) wide and their weight exceeding 200 kilograms (440 pounds). They live in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region and have a symbiotic relationship with algae that live inside their tissues. The algae provide them with nutrients and oxygen, while they provide them with protection and access to sunlight. Giant clams can live for over 100 years.
6. Anaconda
Anacondas are the heaviest snakes in the world, with some specimens weighing over 200 kilograms (440 pounds). They can also grow up to 9 meters (30 feet) long, although such lengths are rare. They live in the swamps and rivers of South America and feed on a variety of animals, including fish, birds, rodents, deer, caimans, and even jaguars. They kill their prey by constriction, squeezing them until they suffocate.
7. Ostrich
Ostriches are the largest and fastest living birds on Earth, with their height reaching up to 2.8 meters (9 feet) and their weight up to 156 kilograms (345 pounds). They can run at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour) and kick with enough force to kill a lion. They live in the savannas and deserts of Africa and feed on plants, seeds, insects, lizards, and small mammals.
8. Japanese Spider Crab
Japanese spider crabs are the largest living arthropods on Earth, with their leg span reaching up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) and their weight up to 19 kilograms (42 pounds). They have long spiny legs that help them walk on the seafloor and a hard exoskeleton that protects them from predators. They live in the deep waters of Japan and feed on dead animals, plants, and shellfish.
9. Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest living animals on Earth, with their height reaching up to 6 meters (20 feet) and their weight up to 1,900 kilograms (4,200 pounds). They have long necks that allow them to reach the leaves of tall trees and long tongues that help them strip off the foliage. They live in the savannas and woodlands of Africa and feed mainly on acacia trees.
10. Blue Whale
Blue whales are the largest animals that ever lived on Earth, surpassing even the dinosaurs in size. They can grow up to 30 meters (98 feet) long and weigh up to 180 tons (360,000 pounds). They have a huge mouth that can hold up to 90 tons (180,000 pounds) of water and a heart that weighs as much as a car. They live in all oceans of the world and feed mainly on krill, small crustaceans that they filter through their baleen plates.
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