The largest animal in the world is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). It is also considered the largest animal to have ever existed.
Here are some facts about the blue whale:
* Size: Blue whales can reach over 30 meters (98 feet) in length and weigh approximately 150 metric tons. Some have been reported to be as long as 33 meters and weigh around 200 metric tons. The longest known specimen was 33 meters (108.3 feet) long, and the heaviest weighed 190 metric tons.
* Weight: The largest recorded weight for a blue whale was 190 metric tons (209 US tons) for a 27.6-meter (91 ft) specimen.
* Heart: Its heart alone can weigh about 180 kg (roughly 400 pounds), which is the size of a small car.
* Diet: Blue whales are filter feeders that primarily consume krill, especially during the summer months in polar waters. They can eat several tons of these tiny crustaceans daily.
* Habitat: They are found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean.
* Conservation Status: The Antarctic blue whale is critically endangered due to commercial whaling in the 20th century. Their numbers were drastically reduced, and they are slowly recovering.