1. BLUE WHALE

The blue whale holds the title of the largest animal on Earth. These massive ocean mammals can weigh as much as 190,000kg, stretch to lengths of 30 meters (98 feet), and stand nearly five meters (16 feet) tall. Their size is truly mind-blowing – their heart alone can weigh as much as a small car, and their arteries are so immense that an average person could swim through them. A blue whale's brain, weighing up to 6.8kg, is the second heaviest in the animal kingdom, only surpassed by the sperm whale. Meanwhile, the giraffe stands tall as the tallest land animal, reaching up to 4.8 meters.

2. SALTWATER CROCODILE

The saltwater crocodile holds the title of the largest reptile on the planet. A male "saltie" can reach lengths of up to 7 meters and weigh as much as 1,000kg. These formidable creatures are found in the wild across eastern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. With a bite force of 3,700psi, their jaws are the second strongest in the animal kingdom, surpassed only by the Nile crocodile. Sadly, these massive predators are also among the most dangerous animals on Earth, responsible for up to 1,000 human fatalities each year, alongside other members of the crocodile family.

3. OSTRICH

The common ostrich is the largest bird on Earth. A male can stand up to 2.75 meters tall and weigh as much as 156kg, while females are generally smaller, reaching a height of around 2 meters. Despite its immense size, the ostrich can't fly but can run at impressive speeds of up to 70km/h in short bursts. Found across Africa, typically in savannas and deserts, the ostrich also boasts the largest eyes of any land animal, with each eye measuring about 5cm in diameter.

4. GIANT HUNTSMAN SPIDER

The giant huntsman spider holds the title of the largest spider on Earth, with a leg span reaching up to 30cm. Not for those with arachnophobia! Native to Laos, this spider not only boasts impressive legs but also has a body length of 4.6cm. You certainly won’t miss one if it’s on your living room wall. Fortunately, the giant huntsman prefers cave habitats, so it’s unlikely to be crawling on your ceiling. Meanwhile, the goliath bird-eating tarantula can also claim the title of the largest spider, due to its impressive weight of 170 grams.

5. GREEN ANACONDA

The green anaconda is the largest snake on Earth, also known as the giant emerald anaconda. This colossal snake is the heaviest of its kind, weighing up to 250kg and stretching an incredible 9.1 meters. However, it isn’t the longest snake on record—that title belongs to the reticulated python, which can grow even longer, with one recorded at 10 meters in 1912. When considering both weight and length, though, the green anaconda is the true giant. Native to much of South America, including Brazil and neighboring nations, as well as Trinidad in the Caribbean, the green anaconda kills by constriction and can swallow prey as large as jaguars, caimans, and small deer.

6. KOMODO DRAGON

The Komodo dragon holds the title of the largest lizard on Earth. It can grow to about 3.1 meters long and weigh up to 150 kilograms. A male Komodo dragon can be nearly as long as two average men standing side by side. The female is smaller, but still impressive, reaching lengths of up to 1.8 meters. Found in the wild across just five islands in the Indonesian archipelago, these massive creatures are both carnivorous and venomous. Komodo dragons hunt large mammals, including deer, pigs, and water buffalo, and even pose a threat to humans. They can detect prey, whether alive or dead, from up to 8km away.