The natural world features immense creatures, and many wonder which animal is the largest terrestrial species. This article explores the metrics of size, focusing on the overall largest land animal and other remarkable species known for their impressive dimensions.
Identifying the Largest Land Animal
The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is recognized as the largest living terrestrial animal. Fully grown males, known as bulls, stand between 3.04 and 3.36 meters (10.0 to 11.0 feet) tall at the shoulder. Their body mass ranges from 5.2 to 6.9 metric tons (5.7 to 7.6 short tons), though some individuals can exceed these figures. The largest recorded African bush elephant had a shoulder height of 3.96 meters (13.0 feet) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 metric tons (11.5 short tons).
Its immense mass makes the African bush elephant the largest land animal. These elephants are native to sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting diverse environments such as savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and semi-desert areas. Their large ears help them regulate body temperature in warm climates.
The African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is smaller, standing between 2.4 and 3.0 meters (8 to 10 feet) tall, and primarily resides in the humid forests of West and Central Africa. Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are also smaller than their African bush relatives, with males reaching about 2.75 meters (9 feet) in height and weighing up to 5.5 metric tons (6 short tons).
Other Terrestrial Giants
While the African bush elephant is the largest by mass, other land animals are notable for their specific dimensions. The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the tallest land animal, with males exceeding 5.5 meters (18 feet) in height, largely due to their elongated necks and legs. These herbivorous mammals use their height to access foliage that is out of reach for most other animals.
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest land carnivore. Adult males weigh between 400 and 600 kilograms (880 and 1,320 pounds) and can measure up to 2.6 meters (8 feet 6 inches) in nose-to-tail length. While Kodiak bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi) are robust, the polar bear typically holds the title by weight.
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is another heavy land mammal. Adult males weigh between 1,800 and 2,500 kilograms (3,970 and 5,510 pounds), with some individuals reaching up to 3,600 kilograms (7,940 pounds). They are characterized by their large bodies, broad chests, and two horns on their snout.