What is the biggest whale in the world?
Quick Answer
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the biggest whale and the largest animal ever to exist on Earth. Blue whales can reach lengths of 100+ feet (30+ meters) and weigh up to 200 tons (400,000 pounds). They're larger than any dinosaur that ever lived and their hearts alone are the size of a small car.
Key Facts
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Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Marine mammal |
| Family | Cetacea |
| Habitat | Oceans worldwide |
| Conservation | Protected in most countries |
| Research Status | Ongoing scientific study |
The Short Answer
The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the biggest whale in the world and the largest animal ever to exist on Earth - larger than any dinosaur. Blue whales can reach lengths of 100+ feet (30+ meters) and weigh up to 200 tons (400,000 pounds). Their hearts alone weigh about 400 pounds, and a single blue whale tongue can weigh as much as an elephant.
Blue Whale Size Statistics
| Measurement | Value | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Length | 110 ft (33.5 m) | Length of a Boeing 737 |
| Average Adult Length | 80-100 ft (24-30 m) | Three school buses |
| Maximum Weight | 400,000 lbs (180,000 kg) | 33 elephants |
| Average Adult Weight | 200,000-300,000 lbs | 25+ elephants |
| Heart Weight | 400 lbs (180 kg) | Size of a golf cart |
| Tongue Weight | 5,000-8,000 lbs | Weight of an elephant |
Top 10 Largest Whale Species
| Rank | Species | Max Length | Max Weight | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Whale | 110 ft (33.5 m) | 400,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 2 | Fin Whale | 85 ft (26 m) | 160,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 3 | Bowhead Whale | 60 ft (18 m) | 200,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 4 | Right Whale | 60 ft (18 m) | 140,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 5 | Sperm Whale | 60 ft (18 m) | 90,000 lbs | Toothed |
| 6 | Humpback Whale | 62 ft (19 m) | 80,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 7 | Sei Whale | 64 ft (20 m) | 65,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 8 | Gray Whale | 50 ft (15 m) | 80,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 9 | Bryde’s Whale | 55 ft (17 m) | 55,000 lbs | Baleen |
| 10 | Orca | 32 ft (10 m) | 22,000 lbs | Toothed |
Blue Whale vs. Other Giants
| Animal | Length | Weight | Era |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Whale | 100 ft (30 m) | 400,000 lbs | Present |
| Argentinosaurus (dinosaur) | 115 ft (35 m) | 180,000 lbs | Extinct |
| Patagotitan (dinosaur) | 100 ft (30 m) | 140,000 lbs | Extinct |
| African Elephant | 13 ft (4 m) | 14,000 lbs | Present |
| Whale Shark | 60 ft (18 m) | 41,000 lbs | Present |
While some dinosaurs approached blue whale length, no animal has ever matched the blue whale’s weight.
Blue Whale Body Parts Compared
| Body Part | Size | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Heart | 400 lbs, 5 ft wide | Small car, golf cart |
| Tongue | 5,000-8,000 lbs | Adult elephant |
| Aorta | 9 inches diameter | Small child could crawl through |
| Fluke (tail) | 25 ft wide | Wider than most boats |
| Mouth Capacity | 21,000 gallons | Could hold 100 people |
| Blowhole Spray | 30 ft high | Three-story building |
Why Are Blue Whales So Big?
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Ocean Support | Water buoyancy supports massive weight |
| Abundant Food | Krill swarms provide unlimited calories |
| No Predators | Adults have no natural predators |
| Efficient Feeding | Filter feeding maximizes energy intake |
| Evolution | 4.5 million years of size increase |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the blue whale bigger than a megalodon?
Yes, blue whales are larger than megalodon was. While megalodon was the largest shark ever at an estimated 50-60 feet (15-18 m) and 50-70 tons, blue whales reach 100+ feet and 200 tons. Blue whales are nearly twice as long and three times heavier.
Is the blue whale the largest animal ever to exist?
Yes, the blue whale is the largest animal ever known to exist on Earth. No dinosaur, prehistoric marine reptile, or any other creature in the fossil record approaches the blue whale’s mass. The largest dinosaurs were longer but weighed significantly less.
How much does a blue whale eat per day?
Adult blue whales eat approximately 4-8 tons (8,000-16,000 pounds) of krill per day during feeding season. That’s about 40 million krill daily. During the 120-day feeding season, a blue whale may consume 360,000-720,000 tons of food.
Why are blue whales endangered if they’re so big?
Despite their size, blue whales were hunted to near extinction during the whaling era (1900-1960s). Their size made them prime targets - one blue whale could yield more oil than any other species. Population dropped from 200,000+ to fewer than 10,000. Learn more about why blue whales are endangered.
Where can I see the biggest whales?
Blue whales can be observed in several locations worldwide. Top destinations include California (summer), Sri Lanka (year-round), and Baja California (winter). Learn more about where to see blue whales.
Blue Whale Subspecies by Size
| Subspecies | Location | Average Length |
|---|---|---|
| Antarctic Blue Whale | Southern Ocean | 85-100 ft (26-30 m) |
| Northern Blue Whale | North Atlantic/Pacific | 75-85 ft (23-26 m) |
| Pygmy Blue Whale | Indian Ocean | 65-75 ft (20-23 m) |
| Northern Indian Ocean | Arabian Sea | 70-80 ft (21-24 m) |
Conservation Status
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| IUCN Status | Endangered |
| Pre-whaling Population | 200,000-300,000 |
| Current Population | 10,000-25,000 |
| Population Trend | Slowly increasing |
| Main Threats | Ship strikes, climate change |
Record-Breaking Blue Whale Facts
| Record | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Longest ever measured | 110 ft (33.5 m) - Antarctic female |
| Heaviest ever measured | 418,878 lbs - South Georgia, 1947 |
| Loudest animal | 188 decibels (louder than jet engine) |
| Largest heart | 400 lbs (180 kg) |
| Fastest growing animal | Calves gain 200 lbs/day |
For more detailed information, explore how long is the blue whale and why blue whales are endangered.
Related Questions
Sources & References
Last verified: 2026-02-03
People Also Ask
how long do blue whales live?
Blue whales typically live between 80 and 90 years in the wild, with the oldest recorded individuals reaching approximately 110 years. Scientists determine their age by counting the layers of earwax in deceased whales, similar to counting tree rings.
How Long Is The Blue Whale??
Blue whales are the largest animals ever to exist on Earth, reaching lengths of 80-100 feet (24-30 meters). The longest blue whale ever recorded measured 110 feet (33.5 meters). Females are typically larger than males.
Why Are Blue Whales Endangered??
Blue whales face conservation concerns due to threats including habitat loss, climate change, and human activities.
Where to see blue whales??
The best places to see blue whales include: Monterey Bay, California (year-round); Sri Lanka (December-April); Baja California, Mexico (January-March); Iceland (June-August); and the Azores (spring/summer). These locations offer reliable sightings during peak seasons when whales congregate to feed or migrate.
Test Your Knowledge
Blue whales reach sexual maturity between 5 and 15 years of age.