The animal world is beautiful and diverse. And each species is unique and inimitable in nature.
Many thousands of years ago, a man tamed certain species, and they became his faithful helpers in everyday life and work. Some fulfill a purely decorative role and decorate our lives. Wildlife is surprising, but dangerous at the same time. Especially if a person forgets about the threat, unceremoniously invades the boundaries of the natural habitat of wild animals.
The animal world is diverse and attractive. There are large and small, high and low, predators and herbivores living in water and on land, in the desert or in the mountains. Consider the largest representatives of the animal world, both wild and domestic.
13
Sea Elephant
The southern elephant seal, more familiar to us by the name of a seal, belongs to the family of Real Seals. This is the largest animal of the pinnipeds. The sizes of adults reach 6 meters in length, and they weigh up to 4 tons, and sometimes more.
These seals live in Antarctic and Subantarctic latitudes. They got their name because of the massive body and the skin bag on the nose, a bit like a small trunk.
The elephant seal is an excellent diver. In the daytime, it can sink to a depth of 400-700 meters and is under water for up to 2 hours. The southern elephant feeds mainly on squid, also hunts fish and eats krill.
In past centuries, it was an object of commercial hunting, which significantly reduced the number of this species. Now hunting for this species of seals is prohibited.
12
Flemish rabbit
If you do not take into account the wild animals that people keep at home and cattle, then this type of rabbit is truly a record holder. The Flemish rabbit, domesticated in the 16th century, is the largest pet. The weight of the largest instance in history reached 17 kg.
There is a version that this breed of rabbits was brought to Europe from Argentina by Dutch sailors. The weight of animals is on average 10–12 kg, although manufacturers consider the normal weight of 7–8 kg. In length, adults reach 65 cm, and chest girth up to 42 cm.
This meat breed over time has taken root throughout Europe, because they easily adapt to any climatic conditions. With proper care, they have great fecundity, up to 15 rabbits from one breeze. On the largest breeds of rabbits on thebiggest.ru we published a separate article.
11
White freesian bull
In its category “largest pet”, this bull rightfully takes first place, and is listed on the pages of the Guinness Book of Records.
A six-day-old bull-calf, named “Chilli,” was found at Ferney's animal shelter in England. It was a goby of a white Freesian breed, had a calm disposition and did not eat well.
Farm staff were surprised when the foundling began to gain weight dramatically. In 2012, its weight was 1,600 kg, with an increase of almost 2 meters. The most interesting thing is that the bull continues to gain weight, gaining an average of 100 kg per year.
10
Bear Kodiak
The islands of the Kodiak archipelago, not far from Alaska, were chosen for life by the bear Kodiak - one of the largest carnivores on Earth.
This predator reaches a length of up to 2.8 meters, and the height of an adult bear is 1.6 meters. The average weight of a massive animal is about half a ton. In history, the weight of the largest bear is fixed at 780 kg.
Bear Kodiak is a subspecies of brown bears. A powerful body with a large head and developed limbs is most adapted to life in a region where there is a very short summer and long winter. They live alone and hibernate in the cold season. These bears are omnivorous, but fish play a very important role in their diet.
Due to the hunt for this species of bears, their population in the mid-twentieth century sharply decreased. In 1941, hunting for them was prohibited, and now you can shoot 160 individuals a year. Ecologist Chris Morgan says there are only 3,000 of these bears left.
9
Polar bear
This close relative of the brown bear is one of the largest and most dangerous animals on Earth. The polar bear or sea bear is the only predator that tracks and hunts humans.
By its size and mass, the polar bear is second only to the elephant seal. The bear’s mass reaches 1 ton and its height is 140–150 cm. The body of an adult polar bear can reach 3 meters in length, but usually an average of 2 to 2.5 meters.
In appearance, it differs from brown bears, this is due primarily to the habitat and way of life. The polar bear has a long neck and a flat head. The hollow hairs of which the wool consists transmit ultraviolet rays, which, so to speak, heats the bear.
As already noted, the bear is dangerous to humans. The first cases of the attack were recorded from the moment of development by the people of the North, in the XVI century. February 27, the whole world celebrates the day of the polar bear. Few animals have received such an honor. But in the Canadian city of Manitoba there is a prison for bears. Animals that approach the city and pose a danger to human life fall into it. And photos of the largest bears in the world we have posted here.
8
A lion
Where in our story without the King of beasts. On the globe, a lion is the largest cat. The weight of this dangerous predator can reach 250 kg and a shoulder height of 120-130 cm. In the 70s of the last century, a lion with a body length of 3.3 m was killed in Angola. This is by far the largest lion ever seen. by man. But in 1936 a cannibal lion was shot dead, whose mass was 313 kg.
Leo is a dangerous, but very graceful and beautiful animal. The mane of males can grow up to 40 cm. None of the other representatives of the feline have such a sign.
Most of the day, lions rest in the shade of trees. They hunt in the dark, but they can during the day. They spend 2 hours hunting and walking in search of victims, and 50 minutes to eat. The hunt is thought out to the smallest detail, the actions of the pack are coordinated in the pursuit of the victim.
The lion became the hero of many legends and myths from ancient Egypt to the present day. The image of a lion is widely used in architecture and cinema.
7
Giraffe
An elegant and tallest animal on the planet, the giraffe, lives in the shrouds of Africa. The growth of this large mammal reaches 6.1 meters. The weight of an adult male giraffe ranges from 900 to 1,200 kg. Females are slightly lower than males and lighter. Giraffes can reach speeds of up to 55 km per hour.
High growth led to some structural features of the body. So, a strong heart is needed to power the brain. It weighs 12 kg in a giraffe and pumps 60 liters of blood per minute. Because of this, the pressure in this animal is 3 times higher than in humans.
They feed on the crown of tall trees. A favorite delicacy of giraffes is acacia.
The uniqueness of giraffes is that if you do not meet two people on the earth with the same fingerprints, there are no two giraffes of the same color in nature.
Since 1993, the Samson giraffe has been living in the Moscow Zoo, with a growth of 5 meters. This good-natured inhabitant is the pride of the zoo. He loves visitors and knows how to entertain them.
6
Big red kangaroo
The name itself speaks for this animal. A large ginger kangaroo or ginger gigantic kangaroo lives in Australia and is the largest marsupial animal in the world.
The growth of this species of kangaroo reaches 1.5 meters at the withers, and weight up to 85 kg. Locals in Australia report a meeting with larger individuals, reaching 2 meters of growth. He moves in jumps, in one jump he can overcome 9 meters, and has a speed of 65 km per hour. In height, the kangaroo can jump 3 meters.
The red kangaroo was chosen by almost the entire territory of the Australian continent, except for the south and tropical forests in the north. They feed mainly on grass, cereal, various flowering plants of deserts and semi-deserts.
Kangaroo is peculiar in behavior. It is protected by the blows of powerful hind limbs. They live to be 25–27 years old. The peculiarity of the kangaroo is, of course, a bag in which cubs live up to 8 months from birth.
We advise you to look at the most dangerous animals in Australia on our website.
5
Indian bull (Gaur)
Gaur, who lives in Southeast Asia, is the largest wild cow on earth and belongs to the genus of Real bulls. One of the subspecies is domesticated by man.
The body length of a wild bull reaches 3 meters, the height at the shoulders is more than 2.3 meters and weight with such dimensions is 1,500 kg, sometimes it reaches 2,000 kg. This herbivore lives in wild forests and rarely goes out into the open.
It feeds on grass, but sometimes eats young shoots of trees. Lives collectively, in a herd from 12 to 16 individuals. The herd consists of females and cubs, which are controlled by one adult male. The right to possess a herd is won in fights between bulls.
Gauras are an endangered species and are protected. The greatest success in preserving this species has been achieved by India, where 90% of the world population of this large bull now lives.
😰
How often do you think some species disappear? It turns out that very often. The rate of extinction of animals on Earth, according to many scientists, now exceeds the rate of extinction during the Mass Permian extinction. TheBiggest is very upset by this fact, and we decided to show you which animals disappeared from the face of the Earth in the 21st century.
4
Buffalo
The American bison is a large representative of the tribe of bulls, a close relative of the bison. Their interspecific relationship gives offspring - bison. It is the largest animal in North America.
The massive body of the bison reaches a length of 2.8–3 meters, and growth up to 2 meters. The large front of the body with a hump with a large head is much more developed than the back of the body. The weight of adult males reaches 1,300 kg.
It is noteworthy that in habitats, the USA, Mexico, Canada, bison are considered both as wild animals and livestock. Bison feed mainly on grass, eating up to 25 kg per day.
Today, bions are protected by animal welfare laws. The massive extermination of bison by man almost led to their complete disappearance.
3
Capybara
Now consider the largest representative among rodents.
Capybara, or capybara, is a herbivorous semi-aquatic animal, the only representative in its family. In length, this original animal reaches 1–1.3 meters, its height at the withers is 40–50 cm. Male capybaras are heavier than females and weigh on average from 34 to 63 kg. Externally, this rodent is similar to the usual for us guinea pigs.
Capybaras live in the basins of large rivers in South America. Do not depart from the water further than 1,000 meters and lead a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Great swim and dive.
Interestingly, in the XVII century, the Catholic Church attributed capybara to fish. This allowed believers to eat aquatic meat during fasting.
2
African elephant
This heavyweight living on the African continent is by far the largest land animal. Adult males are truly enormous, 6–7.5 meters long and 3.3 meters high. At the same time, the weight of the African elephant reaches 6 tons and this is the heaviest land animal on the planet.
Interestingly, African elephants are also one of the oldest species on Earth. Scientists suggest that they formed about 9.1 million years ago.
Due to fishing, the species is on the verge of extinction. In nature, the population totals 500-600 thousand elephants. In addition, the African elephant is the only representative of the family of proboscis on the African continent.
The African elephant, due to its size, has no natural enemies in nature. The only ones who annoy them are leeches and, of course, man. Elephants get rid of bloodsuckers that stick to the body with a stick. If you cannot reach the bite, other elephants help their relative.
1
Blue whale - the largest animal of the planet
The blue whale or, as it is also called, the blue whale is by far the largest animal on Earth. Scientists even make the assumption that this is the largest mammal ever inhabited the earth.
The length of this representative of the sea depths reaches 33 meters, and weight up to 150 tons. Massive elongated body with a large head. This giant feeds on plankton.
The size of the whale is truly impressive, and everyone who was fortunate enough to meet a blue whale has a lasting impression that leaves the size and power of this huge animal.
You can meet a whale in any part of the world's oceans. Because of the habitats, scientists distinguish three species: Southern, Northern and Dwarf. Recently, they are talking about a new species - the Indian blue whale, but so far it has not been entered into the qualification.
Unlike other cetaceans, the whale leads a lonely lifestyle and does not create herds. Interestingly, it breathes in air 1–4 times per minute. From the behavior it should be noted that the whale dives deeply, especially if it is scared or injured.
Almost every state in the waters of which this species of whales lives has adopted laws to protect and protect it. Blue whale hunting is strictly limited.
Conclusion
Man, if we take the scientific classification, is also an animal. But we are distinguished from the animal world by the ability to think and pass on the accumulated experience to subsequent generations. In domestic and wild animals, birds, this happens at the level of instincts. Although scientists do not exclude the presence of rational activity in some animals.
But people did not want to live in the wild, natural nature, creating an artificial habitat for themselves - society. But the more Humanity lives, the more obvious it becomes the postulate of the need to protect and protect animals. We must learn to live in harmony with nature and with its inhabitants. These were the largest animals in the world. Thanks for your attention.
Article author: Valery Skiba