Which Whale Is The Largest?

Whales are majestic mammals that lead the ranking of the largest animals on Earth. Not only its size impresses us, but its beauty is capable of leaving us breathless. Next, we will analyze which whale is the largest and we will learn about some of its main characteristics.

How to know which whale is the largest?

As we know, it is very difficult to measure and weigh such a large and heavy mammal that lives in the middle of the ocean. For this reason, it is common to find a great diversity of information when we want to know which whale is the largest.

Generally, this dimension calculation is based on your length measurement and an estimate of your body weight. To help us in this task, the advancement of technology has allowed us to carry out more and more exact measurements.

By now, scientists have already managed to achieve a very complete record of the lengths of almost all known species of whales.

However, arriving at an accurate measurement of the weight of these marine giants is not yet within the reach of experts. For this reason, it is usual to work with approximations based on the structure of each species and its growth curve.

The four largest whales

1. The blue whale

The blue whale holds the title of the largest living being on planet Earth. As an adult, its body can reach 30 meters in total length, weighing up to 150 tons.

Despite its high body mass, the body of a blue whale is usually long and thin, with extraordinary elegance. These impressive cetaceans can exhibit different shades of gray in their privileged body.

Currently, it is estimated that there are no more than 12,000 blue whales in the world. Some researchers point out that there is a risk that this population will be reduced to only 5,000 specimens in just a few years. For this reason, this species is in danger of extinction and its main predator is the human being himself.

1. Fin whale

Second place among the largest whales belongs to a less recognized species: the fin whale. Adult specimens can reach 27 meters in length and weigh up to 74,000 tons.

Popularly, this species is better known as ‘fin whale’. But his slim body, graceful lines, and agility when moving, have also earned him the nickname ‘greyhound of the seas’.

It is a very striking cetacean due to its different shades between gray and brown. Unfortunately, its majesty has condemned it to intense persecution for the practice of commercial fishing ; it is also a species that is at risk of extinction.

1. Frank whale

The different species of right whales reach 17 meters in length in their adult phase. Although they are not as long as the previous ones, they can weigh up to 100 tons. These cetaceans are wide and robust, so their size is really impressive.

Despite their majestic body with shades of blue as deep as the ocean itself, these species have not been highly valued for their beauty. His head covered with calluses and his enormous rows of beards have never been very attractive by traditional aesthetic parameters.

This apparent lack of beauty has not prevented right whales from being intensively hunted for many centuries. Due to its high fat content, this species was very profitable for those looking to trade in whale oil.

In fact, its own name derives from the terrible fishing of whales. Hunters considered these species to be easy or straightforward to hunt, as they floated after being shot. For this reason, at present, right whales are among the animals most at risk of extinction.

1. Sperm whale

Sperm whales are the largest representatives of the group called ‘toothed whales’. When they are adults, these cetaceans can measure up to 20 meters in length, with an estimated weight of 60 tons.

In addition, sperm whales have the largest brain among all mammals on our planet. These whales can inhabit very deep and icy waters, and the males can even live in the Antarctic Sea.

And the orca ‘whale’?

It may seem strange to some people that the classic orca ‘whales’ are not on this list. In reality, orcas are not whales, but rather belong to the Delphinadae family. For this reason, they are considered the largest dolphins in all the oceans.