“Unbelievable Beasts: Discover the Colossal Creatures Roaming Our Planet Today!”
The Largest Animal That Ever Lived
Any list about large creatures is incomplete without a mention of the largest animal not only still living, but to have ever existed. The Blue whale is a true titan, reaching a length of up to 98 feet and weighing a maximum of 190 tons. Once in abundance all over the world, whaling has greatly reduced this majestic creature’s numbers and it is estimated that there are somewhere between 10,000 to 25,000 blue whales left in the world today. Blue whales eat mostly krill — up to 40 million krill in a day. An average blue whale’s heart weighs about 400 pounds and they are the largest of any known animal.
Gary The Capybara
Gary The Capybara is the world’s largest pet rodent. Standing at about the size of a midsize dog, Gary is a beloved member of his owner’s family. Melanie Typaldos and Richard Loveman met Gary on a trip to Venezuela and fell in love with him, eventually bringing him back to her home in Texas. Gary spends his days swimming in his owners’ swimming pool and said to be a fast learner. According to Ms. Typaldos, Gary knows how to turn in circles, stand up, jump, and shake hands when told to do so. Gary’s favorite place to sleep is right next to his owners in the family bed.
Sammy The Tortoise
Although Colin Kaepernick is a quarterback known not just for his big playing ability but also his smooth elusiveness and explosive mobility, his giant pet tortoise Sammy was the exact opposite. Weighing in at 115 pounds, Sammy is a member of the third largest species of tortoises in the world. These tortoises can live up to 150 years so the concept of a tortoise outliving its owner is a potential scenario so some owners put their pet tortoises in their will. In 2013, when the San Francisco 49ers were en route to the super bowl, it is worth noting that Sammy the tortoise had his own Twitter feed and had much to say.
