The weight of 700 pounds (approximately 317 kilograms) represents a significant size class in the animal kingdom. This mass is well beyond most common mammals, but considerably less than multi-ton megafauna. Many species reach this benchmark depending on sex, age, and environment. For some, 700 pounds is their typical adult weight, while for others it is an upper limit or a starting point for growth.
Animals Averaging 700 Pounds
This weight class includes several large ungulates and powerful marine carnivores whose average adult size centers around 700 pounds. The male Elk, or Wapiti (Cervus canadensis), is a prime example, with bulls typically weighing between 700 and 1,100 pounds, especially the Rocky Mountain subspecies. A bull elk’s size is influenced by forage quality and the season, as males can lose body mass during the autumn mating season while focusing on rutting behavior.
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Banteng (Bos javanicus), a wild cattle species native to Southeast Asia, also have adult weight averages near this mark. A mature Banteng bull typically weighs around 700 pounds. In the Southern Ocean, the powerful male Leopard Seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) fits this category, averaging about 705 pounds, though females are often larger and can exceed this weight.
Species Where 700 Pounds Is The Upper Limit
For some predators, 700 pounds is the upper threshold reached only by the largest and most dominant individuals. The male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) illustrates this, as adult males typically range from 440 to 880 pounds. A 700-pound sea lion represents a large, robust specimen. Their weight fluctuates significantly during the breeding season, as dominant males fast while aggressively defending territories.
In the big cat family, the male Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) can occasionally reach this weight, though it is well above the species’ average of about 488 pounds. Historical records show exceptional individuals approaching or slightly exceeding 700 pounds, such as one recorded at 715 pounds. For this apex predator, 700 pounds is an extreme maximum, demonstrating superior health and hunting success.
Massive Animals That Start At 700 Pounds
The 700-pound measurement serves as a transitional marker for the juveniles of massive species that grow to weigh multiple tons. In the Arctic, a young Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) typically reaches about 750 pounds by two years of age. Adult males of this species can weigh over 4,000 pounds. This size is reached through an extended period of maternal care, as calves nurse for a year or more.
A similar growth pattern is observed in the Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), the tallest land animal. While a newborn calf weighs around 150 pounds, rapid growth means a calf can weigh approximately 842 pounds by the time it is one year old. This sub-adult weight represents a point where the animal is large enough to begin effectively foraging on its own, but has not yet reached its massive adult proportions.