what is the biggest animal

The **blue whale** (*Balaenoptera musculus*) is the largest animal known to have ever existed on Earth. Adults typically reach lengths of 24–30 meters (80–100 feet) and can weigh up to 150–200 metric tons (330,000–440,000 lbs). Their hearts alone can weigh as much as a small car. Blue whales are found in all major oceans and are filter feeders, consuming enormous quantities of tiny crustaceans called krill — up to 4 tons per day during feeding season. Despite their massive size, they survive entirely on some of the smallest creatures in the ocean. They are classified as **endangered**, having been heavily hunted during the 19th and 20th centuries for their oil and blubber. International protections have allowed populations to slowly recover, but they remain vulnerable. No land animal comes close in size. The largest land animal is the **African bush elephant**, which can weigh up to about 6–7 metric tons — a fraction of a blue whale's mass.