When you think of large animals, you might think of giants that lived during ancient times. For example, you could think of the mighty T-rex that ruled the Cretaceous Period. Or do you think of the woolly mammoth that roamed during the Ice Age?
Did you know that we are currently sharing the planet with the largest animal that has ever lived? What animal would that be? If you guessed blue whale, you are correct! According to the World Wildlife Fund, the blue whale can weigh up to 400,000 pounds. That is about the same weight as 33 elephants!
Blue whales can reach lengths of up to 98 feet, about three school buses lined up. The mouth of a blue whale is so big that it can house around 100 people. But don't worry, the blue whale won't eat you! They use their big mouths to feast on krill. Krill are tiny shrimp-like animals that live in the ocean. An adult blue whale can eat as much as eight tons of krill each day.
Want to know more about the blue whale? These books are sure to make a splash!