Top 10 Giant Creatures

Rodents are some of the smallest mammals in terms of body size. We don’t think of mice, squirrels, hamsters, and shrews as bulky animals, and rightly so. But there’s one rodent that breaks this mold, and that is the capybara. As the largest rodent in the world, the capybara can reach lengths of nearly five feet and weigh up to 200 pounds. This means that the largest capybara weighs more than the largest wolf. Such gargantuan creatures reside largely in South America, and spend their lives foraging for plants and trying to evade predators like anacondas, jaguars, and humans. Despite their size, capybaras are not much of a threat, though their huge incisors can pack quite a bite.

These aren’t your garden-variety snails. No, they can grow to almost eight inches long and four inches in diameter. With big bodies come big appetites, and considering how much a regular snail eats, the African variety can eat tenfold—which is why they are regarded as pests. In fact, the giant snail is considered one of the world’s most harmful invasive species. Its exportation from Africa led to accidental introduction elsewhere in the world, and also risks the transmission of meningitis to humans due to parasites it may carry. Eradication projects have been attempted in the U.S. and South Pacific Islands, but the snails have proven resilient.

Some frogs, like bullfrogs, can reach quite the size—at least compared to other frogs. It is the goliath frog, however, that dwarfs the others in its species. This aptly named frog can weigh over seven pounds and have a body length of nearly 13 inches. With legs included, that length is doubled. Owing to its size, the goliath frog eats animals that ordinarily eat frogs, essentially rewiring the food chain. Snakes, turtles, other frogs and even, in one instance, a bat are all documented prey. This amphibious maximus lives in a very tiny region of Central Africa, and their already small population is unfortunately shrinking due to human persecution.

It’s the closest we’ve come to finding a mythical sea monster. Giant squids are known through generations of tall tales and urban legends—from destroying ships to stalking Jack Sparrow— but what’s not legend is its body size. Based on only a handful of specimens, scientists estimate that the giant squid can attain lengths of 43 feet and weigh over 600 pounds. And this isn’t even the largest squid species. The colossal squid is near-Kraken in size, as one living specimen weighed 1,100 pounds. Their maximum weight is estimated to be around 1,700 pounds, with a body length approaching 50 feet. Don’t you wish these things were imaginary?

Everything’s bigger in the ocean, and turtles are no exception. All sea turtles are man-sized or greater, but the leatherback is the size of a car—well, at least a smart car. The leatherback sea turtle can be nine feet long and weigh 1,400 pounds, but there are multiple reports of specimens weighing 2,000 pounds or more, though these are hard to confirm. These gentle giants swim throughout the globe and feed almost exclusively on jellyfish, acting as a natural population controller. There are theories they can live over 100 years if left alone, but, as humanity unfortunately dictates, the most peaceful animals are usually the most vulnerable. 

Even the leatherback might have trouble devouring this guy. Nomura’s jellyfish, named after the man who discovered it, can be almost seven feet in diameter and weigh 440 pounds. Unlike most other species on this list, Nomura’s jellyfish are thriving, especially in the waters between Japan and China. They’re growing so large and so abundant, in fact, that a 10 ton fishing boat was upended from the weight of the jellyfish it had caught in its net. Despite its bulk, it is dwarfed in length by the lion’s mane jellyfish, whose tentacles can reach 121 feet.

The Continental rabbit is bred for insane sizes, and this genetic tampering has not failed to elicit results. At four feet four inches long and weighing 55 pounds, these rabbits rival dogs in size. They were first recorded in 1893, descending from the original Flemish giants. Both kinds that were brought from Europe to America in the 1800s in the effort to have them increase the size of American breeds by mating. Originally they were used more for their parts, like fur and meat, but nowadays they are coveted as pets. For some, a world of giant bunnies wouldn’t be so bad, but for others, that would be a little too close to a “Donnie Darko”-style fantasy.

The golden-crowned flying fox is a bat—not a fox at all—but is named due to its fox-like coloring. The flying fox has a near-six foot wingspan, which approaches that of an eagle, securing its status as the largest flying mammal in existence. Luckily for humanity, the flying fox belongs to the fruit bat family, so it is entirely content with feeding on plant material. In fact, the flying fox is completely non-aggressive, and can even be said to be cute. However. that doesn’t mean we want to be keeping one as a pet anytime soon.

This spider crab is a deep-sea crustacean that lives off the coast of Japan. It was named appropriately due to its long spidery legs that extend from a rather small body. The body is only 16 inches, but with legs included the Japanese spider crab can approach 12 feet long, making this phobia-exploiting creature the largest arthropod species in terms of length. This king-sized crab is also adept at using camouflage to survive. At least nature was sympathetic and left this terrifying animal amalgam at the bottom of the ocean, meaning it’s likely that the only time you’ll see it is in your nightmares.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- African Giant Earthworm
22 feet long

- Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
23 feet long, 3,000 pounds

- Whale Shark
45 feet long, 30 tons

- Giant Centipede
12 inches long

As a kid, you may’ve found flipped rocks in search of various critters, like salamanders. These lizard-like amphibians could fit in the palm of your hand, making them perfect trophies for the adolescent adventurer. Coming upon the Chinese Giant Salamander would be a different story. Perhaps by flipping cement slabs you could find this creature, which can be six feet long and weigh 130 pounds. Rarely seen unless hunted for, they are exclusively aquatic and scour the rocky bottoms of rivers and lakes for food. Collecting has caught up with this living dinosaur, however, and extinction is imminent because of the disruption of its natural environment, its status as a luxury dish, and its use in Chinese medicine.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite giant creature? For more gargantuan Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.