Maine Coons have the reputation of being one of the largest cat species ever. They are also one of the oldest American breeds. Rumor has it that Maine Coons were created when a brown tabby mated with an actual, wild raccoon. While that’s impossible, their size is undeniable. Ludo takes the cake as the biggest of the bunch, measuring in at nearly four feet long.
Although his British friend Stewie (mentioned elsewhere on our list) might have been larger, Ludo currently holds the record after Stewie passed away. This big cat would give some dogs a major run for their money.
The African Elephant Is The Largest Terrestrial Animal
Did you think we'd give you a list of giant animals without including the African elephant? The African elephant weighs around six tons. This is basically the weight of three cars. They measure at 7.5 meters in length and 3.3 meters high at the shoulders. They use their giant ears to radiate extra heat. This is vital for their survival as they spend long days grazing in the scorching hot African sun.
Their most feature is their long white tusks which also cause them to be under severe threat thanks to poaching and habitat loss. Besides their impressively large frames, African elephants are highly intelligent animals. They exhibit a wide variety of behaviors, like grief, learning, mimicry, play, a sense of humor, compassion, memory, and self-awareness. Their brains are similar to humans in terms of structure and complexity.
Cinereous Vulture Has An 8-10 Foot Wingspan
The Cinereous Vulture, or Black Vulture, can weigh up to 31 pounds and have a wingspan of 8-10 feet. They are the largest bird of prey in the world. They reside in Europe and Asia. Females are slightly larger than males. They are also one of the heaviest flying birds. They often live alone, but do sometimes live in pairs.
They get together, however, when they're feeding off of carcasses. Groups with as many as 20 birds may convene to feed off of carcasses. They eat mostly carrion. These vultures are listed as "near threatened" thanks to habitat destruction and the poisoned bait they consume which is used to kill dogs and other such animals.
The Giant Oarfish Resembles A Sea Monster
The giant oarfish takes the title as the world’s longest bony fish. They can reach up to 110 feet in length. The biggest oarfish to ever be recorded weighed 600 pounds. They tend to make headlines when they wash up on shore because they are so huge. They have also been confused with "sea serpents" on several occasions.
These deep-sea fish have a silver color with dark markings. They have long, oar-shaped fins and swim in an undulating fashion. While we don't know much about these fish, we know they feast on krill, other small crustaceans, fish, and squid. Adult oarfish tend to live on their own.
5 Foot Bismarck Flying Fox Of New Guinea
Most people scorn bats. Many cultures commonly associate them with darkness, witchcraft, and vampires. They are often portrayed as such in films. The Bismarck Masked Flying Fox can be found in Papua New Guinea in forests, coconut groves, and in mixed fruit orchards. It gets its name from the Bismarck Archipelago. These enormous bats are the largest in the world. They get their title as flying foxes thanks to their fox-shaped faces. The span of their wings can measure 5.25 feet but they are usually a little under five feet.
Their ears are pointy and they don't have a tail. The male bats are able to lactate, making it only one of few species of mammals who are able to do so. They feast on fruit, nectar, and flowers. It lacks the ability to echo-locate, which it makes up for with its well-developed eyesight. They may live in colonies with as many as 200,000 other bats.