13 giant living creatures you would never want to come face-to-face with!
Megalophobia is one of the most widespread fears among human beings. This is the fear of big things, that we are accustomed to seeing small --- when they become magnified and huge!
In a definitely less accentuated way, we are sure that everyone would feel fear upon seeing a spider as big as a person's hand, but also something commonly considered to be "positive" like a huge flower.
We feel uncomfortable when the reality does not correspond to our expectations, so take look at the following pictures with extreme caution!
The lion's mane jellyfish
To understand the size of this frightening sea creature, you need to hear the numbers that characterize and describe it. In fact, it can grow up to over 6 feet (2 meters) in width and its tentacles can grow up to 33 yards (30 meters) long. It is one of the largest invertebrate animals ever!
Goliath birdeater
The Goliath birdeater belongs to the tarantula family and is one of the heaviest spiders in the world at over 6 ounces (170 g) and at the same time also one of the largest. They are also very long-lived, in fact, they can live even up to 25 years. Despite its incredible size (the female reaches almost one foot [30 cm]), it is not lethal to humans, although it is poisonous. Furthermore, almost like some trick of nature, the effects of its sting are comparable to those of a wasp's sting.
Rafflesia
Rafflesia is a parasitic plant, as it does not have roots, leaves, and stems but lives in conditions of parasitism on other plants. The diameter of the flower can exceed three feet (one meter) and its weight easily reaches 2.4 lbs (one kilo). This flower's scent is not the best, in fact, it resembles rotting meat!
Loxodonta africana
The Loxodonta africana elephant which is called the African bush elephant or also the African savanna elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal. The males measure an average of 21.5 feet (6.5 meters) in length and have a height of almost 10 feet (3.5 meters) at the withers. Their weight is obviously in correspondence and the largest recorded example weighed 10.4 tons (20,800 pounds). Despite the dimensions, they are known to move rather fast and can reach up to almost 4 mph (6 km/h), and they are also good swimmers.
Kori Bustard
This African bird is the largest known bird capable of flying. It has an average length of 3.6 feet (110 cm) and a height that can reach up to 3.9 feet (90 cm). As an adult, it weighs 28.6 lb (13 kg), but this does not prevent it from speeding through the air!
The Leatherback sea turtle
Among the sea turtles is undoubtedly the largest. However, when it is just born it measures only 2 inches (5 cm) in length, but as adults, they can exceed 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) and weigh 1,540 lb (700 kg)! They live in the warm oceans and approach beaches only to reproduce and to hunt.
The ostrich
Yathin S Krishnappa / Wikipedia
The ostrich is undoubtedly the largest living poultry bird, even if it is unable to fly. Its wingspan reaches 6.5 feet (2 meters), its height is not below 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) and its weight is around 330 lb (150 kg). The ostrich is also among the fastest animals and its speed reaches almost 50 mph (80 km/h), but when strictly necessary, for short distances, it can reach 62 mph (100 km/h)!
Armillaria, or honey fungus
You will think it is a mistake to insert a mushroom among the living creatures, but biologically speaking it is quite correct. Not only that, but mushrooms can also be considered to be the largest living creatures ever. The part that holds the primacy is not what you see, but what extends below the surface, the part that branches off into the ground. The mycelium, which are actually the "roots" of the mushroom, can extend for entire acres! In fact, the record is 2384 acres (965 hectares) and is held by an Armillaria mushroom found in Oregon (USA).
Green anaconda aka water boa
The Green anaconda is the longest snake of the four existing anaconda species. Similarly, as for the tarantula, this anaconda is harmless to humans. These snakes can continue to grow for the duration of their life, reaching extreme dimensions, even up 50 to 65 feet (15-20 meters) in length. The weight is equally record-breaking --- 440 lb (200 kg), an impressive number for a snake!
The Marine crocodile
Obtained from Molly Ebersold of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm/ Wikimedia
Marine crocodiles hold three records mainly; that of being the largest reptile on Earth, that of the largest existing predator and finally it possesses the most powerful bite ever. Its maximum length reaches 23 feet (7 meters) and weighs 2,200 lb (1000 kg).
The Blue Whale
In terms of weight and mass, it is the largest animal that has ever existed on Earth, as well as the largest mammal ever. It measures over 72 feet (33 meters) in length and weighs 180 tons. Its tongue alone weighs as much as an elephant!
The Giant kelp
It is the largest of all algae, as it can measure 164 feet (50 meters) in length. The growth rate is very high: every day can grow more than 1.6 feet (half a meter)!
The Ercole scarab
In terms of size and weight, it is one of the largest beetles in the world. The male specimen can measure 7 inches (18 cm), while its weight is around 4 ounces (110 g) in both males and females. This beetle's strength is remarkable, it manages to move objects 850 times heavier than its own body!
The moonfish (in English it is called a sunfish) is the largest of the bony fishes, which differ from the cartilaginous ones. Its height can reach 13 feet (4 meters), the length is 10 feet (3 meters) and the weight is 6.6 lb (3 kg).
