The Top 10 Heaviest Living Animals From Around the World
While all of these ten animals are cetaceans (aquatic mammals) they are none the less impressive, especially when it comes to their super-size. Sure, most people will guess what some of the top animals are on this list, but even I was surprised by some of them…
The Top 10 Heaviest Living Animals From Around the World
Gray whale
10 – Gray whale – Average mass 19.5 tonnes
Called the Grey Whale here in the UK it was once called the devil fish because of their highly aggressive fighting behaviour when being hunted. I don’t know why they would be so aggressive just because they are being hunted to extinction!?
9 – Sei whale – Average mass 22.5 tonnes
This baleen whale (and the third-largest rorqual species) gets its name from the Norwegian word for pollock with is a close relative word of the codfish! Why do they call it that? Because both species are often seen coming to feed on the same kind of plankton in the same areas off the coast of Norway.
Humpback whale
8 – Humpback whale – Average mass 29 tonnes
One of the largest rorqual species there is (which means they are more slender and streamlined in shape when compared with their relatives the right whales) they are most noticeable thanks to their extended pectoral fins and knobbly head
Sperm whale
7 – Sperm whale – Average mass 31.25 tonnes
Not only a pretty impressive whale in terms of size, it is also the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator of the seas and oceans. This really is a world travelled specials and often travel the circumference of the globe several times in the 60 years plus lifespan.
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North Atlantic right whale
6 – North Atlantic right whale – Average mass 54 tonnes
Also known as the True whale of the ice this baleen whale is one of only three species belonging to the genus Eubalaena (migratory, moving seasonally to feed or give birth.) Sadly this has also made them one of the most endangered whale species in the world
Bowhead whale
5 – Bowhead whale – Average mass 54.5 tonnes
This short but muscular whale mostly lives in the Arctic, but unlike other wales from the same area, they don’t go anywhere else to reproduce and find a mate.
4 – Fin whale – Average mass 57 tonnes
Also known as razorback whales the Fin whale is incredibly fast and graceful in the sea despite its size and weight. Like most the whales on this list, it mostly eats small schooling fish and squid.
3 – Southern right whale – Average mass 58 tonnes
The Southern right whale is one of only three species classified as right whales (North Atlantic right whales) and it is said there are no more than 10,000 of these whales spread throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
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2 – North Pacific right whale – Average mass 60 tonnes
This bleen whale species (whalebone whales) is a mostly Northeast Pacific species and it has been illegal to hunt them since 1935, but sadly their numbers are still getting smaller.
Blue whale
1 – Blue whale – Average mass 110 tonnes
We have seen some very impressive creatures so far, but none get even close to the Blue Whale. Mostly living in large groups they are found all over the world but sadly are dwindling in numbers. Let us just hope their numbers grow because a world without these giant kings of the sea would seem a much smaller place indeed.