The natural world abounds with creatures of incredible scale, often sparking curiosity about which animal holds the title for the largest. This article focuses on the terrestrial realm, identifying the largest land animal and showcasing its fascinating adaptation and survival.
Meet the Land Giant: The African Elephant
The African elephant is the largest living land animal. The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest of the two African elephant species. Adult male African bush elephants stand between 3.04 and 3.36 meters (10 to 11 feet) tall at the shoulder and can weigh between 5,200 and 6,900 kilograms (5.7 to 7.6 tons). The largest recorded individual stood 3.96 meters (13 feet) tall and was estimated to weigh 10,400 kilograms (11.5 tons).
In contrast, the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is smaller, reaching a shoulder height of 2.09 to 2.31 meters (6.9 to 7.6 feet) and weighing between 1,700 and 2,300 kilograms (1.8 to 2.5 tons). Both species possess distinct characteristics, with the bush elephant having larger, more rounded ears and curved tusks, while the forest elephant has smaller, more oval ears and straighter, downward-pointing tusks.
A Closer Look at the Land Giant
African elephants live in various habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, including savannas, forests, and grasslands. As herbivores, they sustain themselves by consuming large quantities of vegetation daily, feeding on grasses, leaves, bark, and fruits. An adult elephant can consume approximately 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of food and 100 liters (26 gallons) of water each day.
These animals live in complex social structures, primarily forming matriarchal herds led by the oldest and most experienced female. Related females and their offspring comprise these family groups. Male elephants leave the herd upon reaching adolescence, sometimes forming small bachelor groups or leading solitary lives. Elephants are also recognized for their intelligence, possessing a large and highly convoluted neocortex, a trait they share with humans. They exhibit behaviors indicative of self-awareness, problem-solving abilities, and empathy within their social units.
Land vs. Sea: Clarifying the Biggest Animal
While the African elephant is the largest animal on land, it is important to distinguish this from the largest animal overall. That title belongs to the blue whale. The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is not only the largest animal alive today but also the largest known animal to have ever existed.
These marine animals can reach lengths of 29.9 to 30.5 meters (98 to 100 feet) and weigh up to 190 to 200 tonnes (209 to 220 short tons). Some individuals have been recorded at even greater lengths, up to 33 meters (108 feet), with estimated weights potentially exceeding 250 tonnes. The blue whale’s immense size is supported by the buoyancy of water, which counteracts its weight, allowing it to grow far larger than any terrestrial creature. Its existence is exclusively aquatic, feeding almost entirely on tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans called krill.