This Is the Biggest Whale, by Length and by Weight

1. Blue Whale (100 feet)

Blue whales are the longest animals on Earth, typically reaching lengths of up to 100 feet (30.5 meters). That's about the length of two school buses.

Antarctic blue whales, a subspecies of blue whales, can grow even larger, with some individuals reaching an astonishing 110 feet (33.53 meters).

Pygmy blue whales, though smaller than their blue whale relatives, can still grow up to 80 feet (24.38 meters) long, but they typically reach lengths of around 65 to 79 feet (20 to 24 meters).

2. Fin Whale (85 feet)

Fin whales — nicknamed the "greyhounds of the sea" because of their speed and long, slender bodies — can grow up to 85 feet (25.91 meters) long. That's just short enough to fit inside an NBA basketball court, which is about 94 feet (28.65 meters).

3. Sperm Whale (67 feet)

Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales, reaching lengths of up to 67 feet (20.42 meters). Oak trees or pine trees grow to about the same height.

4. Sei Whale (60 feet)

Sei whales can grow up to 60 feet (18.29 meters) in length. That's roughly the length of a standard bowling lane.

5. Bowhead Whale (60 feet)

Bowhead whales, native to Arctic regions, can also reach lengths of 60 feet (18.29 meters). Known for their longevity, some bowheads have been estimated to live over 200 years.

1. Antarctic Blue Whale (220 tons)

Antarctic blue whales tip the scales at over 220 tons (200 metric tonnes). These whales are the true heavyweight champions of the ocean.

Narrowly missing out on thetitle for the heaviest animal on the planet, is the blue whale, typically weighing up to 200 tons (181.4 metric tonnes). That's the weight of 2,500 average humans, or the Statue of Liberty (without the pedestal).

A blue whale's heart alone can weigh as much as a small car (about 400 pounds, or 180 kg). Its tongue can weigh as much as an elephant and store 2.7 tons (2.5 metric tonnes) of water.

2. Bowhead Whale (100 tons)

Bowhead whales weigh around 100 tons (90.7 metric tonnes), with their thick blubber layers helping them thrive in freezing Arctic waters. A small house could weigh that much.

3. Fin Whale (80 tons)

Fin whales, despite their slimmer appearance, can weigh up to 80 tons (72.6 metric tonnes). An empty Boeing aircraft carrier is about the same weight.

4. North Atlantic Right Whale (77 tons)

Eubalaena

The North Atlantic right whale can weigh up to 77 tons (69.8 metric tonnes kg). These baleen whales are critically endangered, but they play a crucial role in maintaining ocean ecosystems.

5. Sperm Whale (70 tons)

Sperm whales can weigh up to 70 tons (63.5 metric tonnes). That's about the weight of a semi-truck with a loaded trailer.

Blue whales are the largest animal ever known to exist. Female blue whales tend to be slightly larger than males.

Blue whale calves (baby blue whales) are born weighing around 3 tons (2.7 metric tonnes). These calves grow rapidly, gaining hundreds of pounds daily while nursing on their mother’s nutrient-rich milk.

The blue whale's diet consists almost entirely of krill, which they filter through their baleen plates. During feeding seasons, a single blue whale can consume up to 4 tons (3.6 metric tonnes) of krill per day, making them highly efficient marine mammals.

Despite their massive size, blue whales are considered endangered species due to historical whaling and ongoing threats, such as ship strikes and climate change. Blue whale populations are slowly recovering thanks to conservation efforts, but they still face significant challenges.

Protecting these gentle giants and their habitats ensures a healthier ocean ecosystem for all whale species and marine life.

We created this article with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.