Mondo Knows Facts
The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed
Adult blue whales reach lengths of thirty metres and weigh up to 200 tonnes
Growing up to 30 metres long and weighing up to 200 tonnes, the blue whale is larger than any known dinosaur species. Its tongue alone can weigh as much as an elephant, and its heart is roughly the size of a small car. These marine mammals feed almost exclusively on tiny krill, consuming up to four tonnes daily.
Where this comes from
Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.
Go further
More facts like this
The African bush elephant is the largest living land animalAdult males can reach weights of six tonnes and stand four metres tallThe giraffe is the tallest living terrestrial animal on the planetExtensive leg and neck lengths allow adults to reach heights over five metresThe cheetah is the fastest running mammal on landShort sprints achieve speeds up to 100 kilometres per hourThe saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile on EarthLarge males can exceed six metres in length and weigh over one tonneThe wandering albatross possesses the largest wingspan of any living birdWingspans can measure up to three and a half metres from tip to tipThe peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the kingdomHigh-speed hunting dives reach velocities over 320 kilometres per hour
Tags: blue whale, marine life, mammal
The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed: the short answers
- Where does this come from, and can I check it?
- Adult blue whales reach lengths of thirty metres and weigh up to 200 tonnes. The figure is taken from NOAA, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
- Is this really a records & extremes fact?
- Yes. It sits on the Records & Extremes shelf, one of 1,090 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
- What else can I read about it?
- The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.
