6 Abnormally Large Animals That Really Exist

In our modern era, characterized by unprecedented exploration and discovery, surprising creatures still defy our understanding of scale and proportion. Here are some of the enormous creatures that have ever existed in our planet:

1. Japanese Spider Crab

Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) is a marine crab species that lives in the water around Japan. While its body is slightly smaller than the American lobster, the length of its legs can reach a span of up to 12.5 feet (4 meters) when outstretched. This makes it the largest living arthropod of the 60,000 species of crustaceans on Earth.

2. Colossal Squid

The title of the largest invertebrate in the world belongs to the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni). Also known as Antarctic squid or giant cranch squid, it also holds the record of having the largest eyes in the animal kingdom.

Knowledge of this giant creature is based only on a few specimens captured in deep-sea fisheries. From these observations, experts believe that its combined body and tentacle lengths reached up to 46 feet (14 meters), while its weight could be at least 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms).

3. Megalodon Shark

Sharks have inspired primal fear in humans, yet the ones we encounter today are just a fraction of the size of the megalodon (Otodus megalodon). This marine giant is an extinct species of giant mackerel shark which lived about 23 to 3.6 million years ago. Based on the investigation of experts, it was believed that megalodons measured up to 50 feet (15.25 meters) and weighed as much as 50 tons (50,000 kilograms).

4. Quetzalcoatlus

Quetzalcoatlus refers to a genus of azhdarchid pterosaur from North America's Late Cretaceous Maastrichtian age. It was named after an Aztec deity called Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent.

Since the discovery of its remains in 1975, Quetzalcoatlus' weight has been estimated at 150 to 550 pounds (68 to 249 kilograms). Despite this weight, its 40-foot (12-meter) wingspan allowed Quetzalcoatlus to soar through the sky. Because of these measurements, this pterosaur is considered the largest flying animal.

5. Saltwater Crocodile

Of all the reptiles living, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is considered the biggest. They are native to brackish wetlands, saltwater habitats, and freshwater rivers in India, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Micronesia.

This enormous beast can reach over 23 feet (6.5 meters) and weigh over 2,220 pounds (1,000 kilograms). Because of this size, it can eat just about any animal that crosses its path. It is also adept at drowning terrestrial animals such as mammals and birds.

6. Blue Whales

Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. This colossal marine mammal measures from 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters), the longest being a female blue whale that reached 108 feet (33 meters). This size is comparable to three school buses placed back to back.

The average weight for these giants is about 200,000 to 300,000 pounds (90,000 to 136,000 kilograms). This means that one blue whale is equivalent to 30 or more elephants in weight.