The oceans are vast and make up 70% of the Earth's surface, yet still remains largely
unexplored.
With each new discovery, we learn more about the joys and horrors within these mysterious
depths It's true, we have yet to find out even half
of what the world's waters hide and it's pretty intimidating to think about.
We humans don't seem very large in comparison to the vast amounts of things that are going
on down there.
So, speaking of horrors.
Here are the 20 largest sea creatures that's ever existed!
While we've ordered most of these creatures by weight.
We've added some in because they're extremely unusual or extremely long.
Number 20: Giant Pacific Octopus.
At up to 30 feet long from its head to the tip of its tentacles and weighing anywhere
from 130 to 165 pounds.
Although, there are heavily debated records that even report, they could weigh up to a
whopping 0.3 tons.
This is the largest octopus that exists.
Today, aside from its size, the giant Pacific Octopus is also known to be one of the longest-lived
octopuses out there.
Having a lifespan that's anywhere between three and five years.
Number 19: Thalassomedon.
If the Loch ness monster was real, then cross your fingers that it isn't a Thalassomedon.
These carnivorous creatures from the Cretaceous period that belonged to the plesiosaur family,
grew up to 40 feet long, and were known to be one of the fastest underwater killers of
the era.
That's mainly because of its fins, which had a length of seven feet each, allowing it to
cover quite a distance with each paddle.
And if giraffes knew anything about this animal, I should suspect they'd be a little bit jealous
of its neck.
Number 18: Thalattoarchon.
As of this video, not a whole lot is known about the Thalattoarchon, considering it was
only discovered around four years ago.
However, experts can place its size to around 28 feet long and that it belonged to the Ichthyosaur
Family.
A distinct kind of prehistoric marine reptiles that lived during the Triassic period.
Based on fossils, it's possible that it resembled a dolphin except for its head, which is something
I'll hope to forget next time I'm in the middle of the sea.
Number 17: Nothosaurus.
The Nothosaurus were notorious predators during the Triassic Era, as they are known to have
been blitz hunters in that they preferred attacking swiftly and by surprise to capture
their prey.
When you think about it, it’s understandable that they would make use of this tactic.
They're relatively smaller than other creatures of that era being only 13 feet long and weighing
only about 0.15 tons.
But hey, size doesn't matter when you have the elements of surprise
Number 16: Giant Squid.
To this day, not much is known about the giant squid, especially when you consider that we
have only recently been able to capture a live specimen, not more than two decades ago.
All other evidence either come from video footage or carcasses that was ashore.
As such, the largest known specimen humans have found of this deep-sea jumbo calamari
stands at 59 feet and weighs about 0.9 tons.
Did I say calamari?
I meant Kraken!
Number 15: Jaekelopterus.
The Jaekelopterus is the kind of creature that you can usually find in science fiction
stories.
At its simplest, it's an ancient sea scorpion that lived nearly 400 million years ago with
a length reaching up to nine feet.
The Jaekelopterus has become the largest arthropod to have ever existed.
As for its weight, there are reports that place its weight, somewhere around 0.36 tons,
but it's still a heavily discussed point among experts.
I suppose, on the bright side, unlike it's present, eight cousins, it's not small enough
to make your shoe, its home.
Number 14: Liopleurodon.
The Liopleurodon is the perfect poster boy for nightmares that can be found in the oceans,
prehistoric or otherwise.
It being a Pliosauroidea, which is a family of marine reptiles that are distinct from
dinosaurs.
This monster, from the Deep, from the Jurassic period is estimated at around 30 feet long
and weighs about 1.75 tons.
If its size isn't enough to make you wet your pants, then how about the fact that its mouth
is lined with teeth the size of kitchen knives.
Luckily, it's extinct, but even the thought still gives me the chills when I'm floating
in the middle of the sea.
Number 13: Giant Oarfish.
Oarfish are a pretty rare side in the world today, which gave way to the superstition
that there's a disaster coming when they wash ashore.
True or not, the giant or fish is a majestic site indeed.
These bony fishes can grow up to lengths of 36 feet with the largest recorded weight being
more than half a ton at around 600 kilograms.
Number 12: Tanystropheus.
At 20 feet long, and with a weight clocking around only 0.4 tons, the Tanystropheus doesn't
look like it's much of a threat compared to other creatures on this list.
That is until you find out that it's the kind of marine reptile that was amphibious, it
can hurt on both land and underwater.
According to palaeontologists, it lived during the Triassic era preferring to pro the depths
than the lands for prey.
Number 11: Dakosaurus.
This monster from the Jurassic Period is believed by experts to be similar to modern day crocodiles.
However, instead of legs.
It has fins on its side that allow it to glide underwater as it's hunted down its prey.
Weighing two tons and growing to 16 feet long.
The Dakosaurus most dangerous weapon was its teeth, which looked like rows of talons.
As such, it was one of the deadliest predators of it age.
Number 10: Edestus.
The Edestus is a prehistoric shark that lived around 300 million years ago in an era known
as the Carboniferous period.
Based on its remains, the Edestus is estimated to have grown up to 22 feet long with an approximate
weight of two tons.
Adding to its fearsome size, it's nickname Scissor tooth Shark just makes it all the
more horrifying compared to the modern day shocks of today.
Number 9: Shastasaurus.
This is another one of the Triassic period’s giant marine monsters.
This 65-foot-long reptile belonged to the ichthyosaur family, and weighed somewhere
around five tons.
Despite its imposing size however, this breed of ancient animals was not exactly what you'd
call an apex predator, since it preferred to feed on small fish than hunt bigger game.
Still, that doesn't remove any of my fear of this creature.
Number 8: Mosasaurus.
If you've seen Jurassic World, you'll recognize this creature, though back when it was alive,
it was a surface dweller rather than a performing monkey at an extremely dangerous amusement
park.
This behemoth lived during the Cretaceous period and is a true apex predator.
When you consider it 60-foot-long body that weighs somewhere within the area of five to
six tons.
Also, just because it's big doesn't mean it's sluggish.
The giant fins on the Mosasaurus made it one of the most efficient hunters during its era.
And with a mouth like that, it could kill sea turtles with a single chomp.
Scary stuff, guys!!
Number 7: Tylosaurus.
The Tylosaurus is what you could call a close cousin of the Mosasaurus.
They are on the other hand, smaller compared to their counterparts.
Being that they grow to only 50 feet long.
As for their weight, it's a heavily debated topic with theories ranging from anywhere
between 15 to 20 tons.
What they lack in size though they make up for in total savagery, even by Cretaceous
era standards.
The Tylosaurus is one bad mother flipper.
It's the kind of monster that according to it remains regularly fed on its young.
That's just cruel!
Number 6: Whale Shark.
Whale sharks, if anything, hold the right to bear the title of Gentle Giant.
This Krill eating species is the largest known to man with lengths reaching up to 41.5 feet
and weighing approximately 20 tons.
Sadly, whale sharks are in danger of becoming extinct, thanks to a variety of reasons.
With overhunting by humans for its fins and meats, playing a primary role, a sad fact
that makes you question who the monsters really are!
Number 5: Sperm Whales.
Sperm whales can grow up to lengths of 67 feet and can weigh approximately 45 tons.
That being the case, they are known as one of the largest predators in the known world.
To be specific, they're recorded as the largest toothed predators by none.
Despite their sizes having the capacity to kill a man with one swish of their tails.
Sperm whales actually prefer minding their own business in the deep-sea hunting, mostly
squid.
Number 4: Basilosaurus.
Despite its name suggesting that it's a reptile, the Basilosaurus is actually an ancestor of
the modern-day whale.
However, by no means can you call it a gentle giant.
This Titan lived about 40 million years ago and was known to be a vicious predator eating
sharks like they're a bunch of guppies.
According to estimates, they grew up to 60 feet long and weighed up to 60 tons.
Number 3: Fin Whale.
Fin Whales unknown as the second largest animal in the world, which is right behind the next
century on this list in terms of size.
These marine mammals can grow up to 89 feet long and possess a weight of 74 tons.
Like other whales, this species mostly feeds on small fishes and crustaceans by way of
filter feeding.
Today, sadly, fin whales still belong on the endangered species list because of overhunting
by man back in the 1900s.
Number 2: Blue Whale.
Blue whales are the largest animals known to man.
Standing at around 90 feet long with a weight reaching up to 200 tons.
These aquatic marvels are also becoming rarer and rarer in the world today.
Despite blue whales not being predators, since their diet consists mainly of krill, tiny
shrimp, that it sucks into its mouth.
There's still no reason to think that these giants cannot swallow you whole in one big
gulp if you got in their way.
To put its size into perspective, here are two fascinating facts: The tongue of the whale
alone weighs as much as an elephant and its heart as much as an automobile.
Whoa!
Number 1: Megalodon.
Despite being slightly smaller than the blue whale, its maximum size is still heavily debated
and given its ferociousness, you'd probably be frightened into thinking it was way bigger
than any of the other creatures in this video.
The Megalodon is the kind of beast that scoffs at dinosaurs.
In general terms, it's a shark.
Now, although sharks are scary enough as it is, just imagine one that looks almost exactly
like a great white, except it's 60 feet long and weighs anywhere between 75 to 100 tons.
To put things into perspective, great white sharks only grow somewhere around 20 feet
and two to three tons.
That is to say the megalodon just proves how immensely more brutal the world was a couple
of million years ago!!
Do you think you'd have the guts to face any of these giants if they were around?
Sound off in the comment section down below.
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