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This is a countdown of the 10 heaviest land mammals on Earth. This is not a list of the
ten heaviest mammals alive - those are all whales - but these ten animals all tip the
scales farther than any other animals that walk, run, or jump.
Number 10:
the American Bison.
The American Bison, often called the buffalo, is a large species of hoofed mammal native
to North America. Historically, they ranged from Alaska to Mexico, from the Atlantic nearly
to the Pacific, but overhunting in the 1800s reduced their numbers to less than 1,000.
Fortunately conservation efforts have increased their numbers to nearly half a million.
American Bison can weigh up to 2,200 lbs or 1,000 kilograms.
Number 9:
the Water Buffalo.
Water buffalos are a domesticated bovine originally native to Asia, now kept by humans in Asia,
South America, and Southern Europe. They are called 'water buffalo' because they like to
wallow in water or mudholes, as well as eating aquatic plants they find there.
Water buffalos can weigh up to 2600 lbs or 1200 kilograms.
Number 8:
the black rhinoceros.
Native to central and eastern Africa, the black rhinoceros is critically endangered
due to poaching for its horn. They are herbivores, browsing on leafy plants, branches, bushes,
and fruit, and despite their large size they can move at speeds of up to 34 miles or 55
kilometers per hour when they run.
Black rhinoceros can weigh up to 3100 lbs or 1400 kilograms.
Number 7:
the Gaur.
The largest bovine in the world, the gaur is native to southeast asia. Gaur are the
tallest species of wild cattle, due partially to the distinctive ridge on their back. Both
males and females have large, curving horns.
Gaur can weigh up to 3,300 lbs or 1500 kilograms.
Number 6:
the giraffe.
The world's tallest living land animal, the giraffe can grow up to 18 feet or 5.5 meters
in height. They are herbivores, eating mostly the leaves of tall trees that other animals
cannot reach. There are nine different subspecies of giraffe, which can be recognized by the
differences in their spot pattern.
Giraffes can weigh up to 4,250 lbs or 1900 kilograms.
Number 5:
the walrus.
Walruses are marine mammals, which means that they depend on the ocean to survive. They
are easy to recognize by their tusks, which they use to protect themselves from polar
bears and orcas, as well as to help pull themselves out of the water and onto the ice. Walruses
have a thick layer of blubber, or fat, which helps them stay warm in the icy waters where
they live.
A walrus can weigh up to 4,400 lbs or 2000 kilograms.
Number 4:
the hippopotamus.
The name of this animal means 'river horse.' Hippos are semi-aquatic; even though they
graze on land they spend much of the day cooling off in mud or water. They may look chubby
and cute, but hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
Hippopotomus can weigh more than 4,400 lbs or 2000 kilograms.
Number 3:
the white rhinoceros.
The largest of all rhinoceros species, the white rhinoceros is native to central and
southern Africa. White rhinos have two horns, made of keratin - the same material human
hair and fingernails are made of - and unlike other rhinoceros species, they eat almost
exclusively grass.
White rhinoceros can reach weights of more than 7900 lbs or 3600 kilograms.
Number 2:
the Indian elephant
Native to Asia, the Indian elephant can be recognized by its small ears and by the fact
that usually only the males have tusks. They may eat 330lb or 150 kg of plants every day,
anything from grass to flowers and bamboo. Like most elephant species, the Indian elephant
is endangered.
Indian elephants can achieve weights of 11,000 lbs or 5,000 kilograms.
Number 1:
The african elephant.
Found across much of Africa, the largest living land animal - the african elephant - is an
herbivore, consuming huge amounts of plants and vegetation each day, up to 500lbs or 225kg.
Unlike Asian elephants, both male and female African elephants have tusks. Their ears are
also much larger than the ears of the smaller indian elephants, allowing more heat to escape
from their huge bodies.
African elephants can easily reach weights of 12,000 lbs or 5400 kilograms.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the heaviest mammals on land, and stay tuned for more creature
countdowns from FreeSchool!