List of largest mammals
{{See also|Largest and heaviest animals}}
{{Short description|none}}
{{Cleanup|reason=many missing ref errors|date=September 2021}}
The following is a list of largest mammals by family.
Tenrecs and allies (Afrosoricida)
- The largest of these insectivorous mammals is the giant otter shrew (Potamogale velox), native to Central Africa. This species can weigh up to {{convert|1|kg|lb}} and measure {{convert|0.64|m|ft}} in total length.[http://www.flashcardmachine.com/insectivores.html Insectivores] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110144644/http://www.flashcardmachine.com/insectivores.html |date=2013-11-10 }}. flashcardmachine.com[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Potamogale_velox.html Potamogale velox. giant otter shrew] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528053213/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Potamogale_velox.html |date=2011-05-28 }}. Animal Diversity Web
- The larger of the two species of bibymalagasy (Plesiorycteropus madagascariensis), extinct tenrec relatives from Madagascar, is estimated to have weighed from 10 to 18 kilograms (21 to 40 lb).{{Cite journal |last=MacPhee |first=Ross |date=January 1994 |title=Morphology, adaptations, and relationships of Plesiorycteropus, and a diagnosis of a new order of eutherian Mammals |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282675790 |journal=Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History |issue=220 |pages=148 |via=ResearchGate}}
Even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla)
File:Hippo pod edit.jpg is the most massive of the even-toed ungulates.]]
{{Anchor|Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla)}}
- The largest species in terms of weight is the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), native to the rivers of sub-Saharan Africa. They can attain a size of {{convert|4,500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|5.05|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.66|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jqQhAQAAMAAJ |title=McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology |access-date=2018-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210063338/https://books.google.com/books?id=jqQhAQAAMAAJ&q |archive-date=2018-12-10 |url-status=live |isbn=9780079136657 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Book Company |year=2002 }}{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ugq5BgAAQBAJ |title = Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology|isbn = 9781421415888|last1 = Feldhamer|first1 = George A.|last2 = Drickamer|first2 = Lee C.|last3 = Vessey|first3 = Stephen H.|last4 = Merritt|first4 = Joseph F.|last5 = Krajewski|first5 = Carey|date = January 2015| publisher=JHU Press }}[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hippopotamus_amphibius.html ADW: Hippopotamus amphibius: Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110151955/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hippopotamus_amphibius.html |date=2013-11-10 }}. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu. Prehistoric hippos such as H. gorgops and H. antiquus rivaled or exceeded the modern species as the largest members of the family and order to ever exist.
- The longest-bodied species, and tallest of all living land animals, is the giraffe (Giraffa sp.), measuring up to {{convert|5.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall to the top of the head, and despite being relatively slender, reaching a top weight of {{convert|2,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.Daniel Wallis. [http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKL228436220071224 African giraffes endangered] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112043859/http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKL228436220071224 |date=2009-01-12 }}. Reuters (2007-12-22)
- The largest extant representative of the bovids, a diverse and well-known family, is the Asian forest-dwelling gaur (Bos gaurus), in which bulls can weigh up to {{convert|1,500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|4.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length and stand {{convert|2.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} at the shoulder.[http://programs.wcs.org/laoswildlifephotoexhibition/en/12OtherEx.html WCS Lao Camera trap photo exhibition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511024558/http://programs.wcs.org/laoswildlifephotoexhibition/en/12OtherEx.html |date=2013-05-11 }}. Programs.wcs.orgSmith, Andrew T. & Xie, Yan (eds.), A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press (2008), {{ISBN|978-0-691-09984-2}} The wild yak (B. mutus), reaches {{convert|2.05|m|ft|abbr=on}} in height, and a weight of {{convert|1,200|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.Han Jianlin, M. Melletti, J. Burton, 2014, Wild yak (Bos mutus Przewalski, 1883), Ecology, Evolution and Behavior of Wild Cattle: Implications for Conservation, Chapter 1, p.203, Cambridge University Press The living American bison (B. bison) of North America is {{convert|2|to|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, the tail adding {{convert|30|to|91|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Shoulder heights in the species can range from {{convert|152|to|201|cm|in|abbr=on}}.Gennady G. Boeskorov, Olga R. Potapova, Albert V. Protopopov, Valery V. Plotnikov, Larry D. Agenbroad, Konstantin S. Kirikov, Innokenty S. Pavlov, Marina V. Shchelchkova, Innocenty N. Belolyubskii, Mikhail D. Tomshin, Rafal Kowalczyk, Sergey P. Davydov, Stanislav D. Kolesov, Alexey N. Tikhonov, Johannes van der Plicht, 2016, The Yukagir Bison: The exterior morphology of a complete frozen mummy of the extinct steppe bison, Bison priscus from the early Holocene of northern Yakutia, Russia, pp.7, Quaternary International, Vol.406 (2016 June 25), Part B, pp.94-110 Weights can range from {{convert|318|to|1270|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite book|author1=Joel Berger|author2=Carol Cunningham|title=Bison: mating and conservation in small populations|date=June 1994|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-08456-7|page=162}}{{cite journal|last1=Meagher|first1=M.|title=Bison bison|journal=Mammalian Species|date=1986|issue=266|pages=1–8|doi=10.1093/mspecies/266.1|url=http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-266-01-0001.pdf|jstor=3504019|access-date=2016-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229105651/http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-266-01-0001.pdf|archive-date=2011-12-29|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/hoofed_mammals/bison_american.html |title=The Animal Files |access-date=2016-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421155928/http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/hoofed_mammals/bison_american.html |archive-date=2016-04-21 |url-status=live }} The European bison (B. bonasus) may be less heavy than the American species, but would exceed heights at withers with the tallest record of {{convert|210|cm|in|abbr=on}}. When raised in captivity and farmed for meat, the bisons can grow unnaturally heavy and the largest semidomestic American bison weighed {{convert|1724|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and the heaviest European bison weighed about {{convert|1900|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.Semenov U.A. of WWF-Russia, 2014, "The Wisents of Karachay-Cherkessia", Proceedings of the Sochi National Park (8), pp.23-24, {{ISBN|978-5-87317-984-8}}, KMK Scientific Press The heads and forequarters of American species are massive, and both sexes have short, curved horns that can grow up to {{convert|2|ft|cm|0|abbr=on}} long, which they use in fighting for status within the herd and for defense. Wild water buffaloes (Bubalus arnee) of Asia are larger and heavier than domestic buffaloes, and weigh from {{convert|700|to|1200|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Their head-to-body-length is {{convert|240|to|300|cm|in|abbr=on}} with a tail {{convert|60|to|100|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, and a shoulder height of {{convert|150|to|190|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Both sexes carry horns that are heavy at the base and widely spreading up to {{convert|2|m|in|abbr=on}} The extinct giant bison (Bison latifrons) may be the largest bovid in the fossil record, with an estimated shoulder up to {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} and a weight over {{convert|2,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://dinosaurs.about.com/od/mesozoicmammals/p/Bison-Latifrons.htm Bison Latifrons – Characteristics, Behavior and Habitat of Bison Latifrons, the Giant Bison] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150115/http://dinosaurs.about.com/od/mesozoicmammals/p/Bison-Latifrons.htm |date=2013-11-10 }}.Dinosaurs.about.com (2010-12-18) Pelorovis also reached 2,000 kg in weight. Domestic cattle (Bos taurus) are usually smaller, although obese steers have been reported to weigh up to {{convert|2,140|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.McWhirter, Norris & Ross, Guinness Book of Records, Redwood Press, Trowbridge, 1968. The largest antelope is the giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus) from Africa{{cite web|title=Ecology|url=http://www.gianteland.com/ginat-eland/ecology/|work=Czech University of Life Sciences|publisher=Giant eland conservation|accessdate=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711095631/http://www.gianteland.com/ginat-eland/ecology/|archive-date=11 July 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last=Prothero|first=Donald R.|title=Horns, tusks, and flippers : the evolution of hoofed mammals|year=2002|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=0-8018-7135-2|author2=Schoch, Robert M.|page=91|chapter=Hollow horns}}{{cite book|last=Lill|first=Dawid van|title=Van Lill's South African miscellany|year=2004|publisher=Zebra Press|isbn=1-86872-921-4|page=4}}{{cite book|last=Carwardine|first=Mark|title=Animal Records|year=2008|publisher=Sterling|isbn=978-1-4027-5623-8|page=8|chapter=Artiodactyl}} They are typically between {{convert|220|and|290|cm|ft|abbr=on}} in head-and-body length and stand approximately {{convert|130|to|180|cm|ft|abbr=on}} at the shoulder and weigh {{convert|400|to|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=Atlan|first=B|title=Taurotragus derbianus|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Taurotragus_derbianus.html|work=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology|publisher=Animal Diversity Web|accessdate=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618180127/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Taurotragus_derbianus.html|archive-date=18 June 2013|url-status=live}}
- The largest species in the pig family is generally the giant forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni), a native of the African rainforests, at up to {{convert|275|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|2.55|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|1.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} high at the shoulder.[http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Hylochoerus_meinertzhageni.html Giant forest hog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723041539/http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Hylochoerus_meinertzhageni.html |date=2013-07-23 }}. Ultimateungulate.com Although wild boars (Sus scrofa) have reportedly reached {{convert|320|kg|lb|abbr=on}} historically, especially the Manchurian subspecies (Sus scrofa ussuricus)[http://www.ultimateungulate.com/artiodactyla/sus_scrofa.html Eurasian wild pig] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060422/http://www.ultimateungulate.com/artiodactyla/sus_scrofa.html |date=2013-10-23 }}. Ultimateungulate.com and obese domestic pigs (S. domesticus) which have been weighed at {{convert|1,157|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The largest wild suid to ever exist was Kubanochoerus gigas, having measured up to {{convert|550|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and stood more than {{convert|1.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder.[https://archive.today/20130213095333/http://www.tesorosnaturales.es/en/catalogo.php?categoria=9&producto=141 Teeth: Kubanochoerus gigas lii (GUAN)]. tesorosnaturales.es
- The largest living cervid is the moose (Alces alces), particularly the Alaskan subspecies (A. a. gigas), verified at up to {{convert|820|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, a total length of {{convert|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} and a shoulder height of {{convert|2.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}.Wood, Gerald The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats (1983) {{ISBN|978-0-85112-235-9}} The largest deer of all time was the broad-fronted moose (Cervalces latifrons). The extinct Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus) and the stag-moose (Cervalces scotti) were of similar size to the Alaskan moose. However, the Irish elk could have antlers spanning up to {{convert|4.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} across, about twice the maximum span for a moose's antlers.David Petersen. [http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/1989-03-01/Of-Moose-Megaloceros-and-Miracles.aspx Of Moose, Megaloceros and Miracles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731040715/http://www.motherearthnews.com/Nature-Community/1989-03-01/Of-Moose-Megaloceros-and-Miracles.aspx |date=2012-07-31 }}. Motherearthnews.com (1989-03-01)
- The largest members of the camel family are either the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), which is still wild in the steppe of central Asia, or the similarly sized dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), which no longer exists as a purely wild species but is widespread in the Middle East as a domestic animal, with a large introduced feral population in Australia. Both camels can weigh up to {{convert|1,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length, {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder and a height of {{convert|3.45|m|ft|abbr=on}} at the hump.Ryan Yee. [http://laurier.vsb.bc.ca/studentp/RyanY/BCamel.html Bactrian Camel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331163005/http://laurier.vsb.bc.ca/studentp/RyanY/BCamel.html |date=2012-03-31 }}. Laurier.vsb.bc.ca[http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/dzoo_bactrian_camel.pdf Bactrian Camel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512074950/http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/dzoo_bactrian_camel.pdf |date=2013-05-12 }}. denverzoo.org[http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=8 EDGE :: Mammal Species Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827145713/http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=8|date=2011-08-27}}. Edgeofexistence.org (2010-11-12) Several giant camels are known from fossils, the previous record holders, Gigantocamelus and Titanotylopus from North America, both possibly reached {{convert|2,485.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a shoulder height of over {{convert|3.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}.[http://www.intechinc.com/disappeared-species/giant-camel.html Giant Camel Disappeared Species] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150125/http://www.intechinc.com/disappeared-species/giant-camel.html |date=2013-11-10 }}. Intechinc.com (2011-07-05){{Cite journal | last1 = Figueirido | first1 = B. | last2 = Pérez-Claros | first2 = J. A. | last3 = Hunt | first3 = R. M. | last4 = Palmqvist | first4 = P. | title = Body Mass Estimation in Amphicyonid Carnivoran Mammals: A Multiple Regression Approach from the Skull and Skeleton | doi = 10.4202/app.2010.0005 | url = http://webpersonal.uma.es/de/ppb/JZool.pdf | journal = Acta Palaeontologica Polonica | volume = 56 | issue = 2 | pages = 225 | year = 2011 | access-date = 2015-09-04 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023325/http://webpersonal.uma.es/de/ppb/JZool.pdf | archive-date = 2016-03-04 | url-status = live | doi-access = free }} Camelus moreli, also known as the "Syrian camel", may have been even larger, at an estimated shoulder height of 3.6 or even 4 m (12–13 ft).James Owen (2006-10-11). [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061011-giant-camel.html Extinct "Elephant Size" Camel Found in Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111165336/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061011-giant-camel.html |date=2013-11-11 }}. News.nationalgeographic.com
= Whales (Cetacea) =
- The largest whale (and largest mammal, as well as the largest animal known ever to have existed) is the blue whale, a baleen whale (Mysticeti). The longest confirmed specimen was 33.58 m (110.17 ft) in length and the heaviest was 190 tonnes.{{Cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-mammal |title=Largest mammal |access-date=2018-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131024019/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-mammal |archive-date=2018-01-31 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Balaenoptera_musculus/ |title=Balaenoptera musculus (Blue whale) |website=Animal Diversity Web |access-date=2018-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130013859/http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Balaenoptera_musculus/ |archive-date=2018-01-30 |url-status=live }} Its closest competitors are also baleen whales, the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), which can reach a size of {{convert|27|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and weight of 109 tonnes, and the bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) and North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica), both measured up to {{convert|21.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} and estimated at that length to weigh about 133 tonnes.Stewart, et al., National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Knofp (2002), {{ISBN|978-0-375-41141-0}}
- The largest toothed whale (Odontoceti) is the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), bulls of which usually range up to {{convert|18.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and a mass of 50 tonnes.
- The orca or killer whale (Orcinus orca) is the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family. The largest orca ever recorded was a male off the coast of Japan, measuring {{convert|9.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and weighed 10 tonnes.[http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/KillerWhale/physchkw.html Killer Whales: Physical Characteristics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213102910/http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/KillerWhale/physchkw.html |date=2010-02-13 }}. Seaworld.org File:Orca porpoising.jpg is the largest oceanic dolphin.]]
- The largest porpoise is the Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), at up to {{convert|220|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length.[http://www.harmlesslion.com/dolphins/sp_dalls.htm Dall'S Porpoise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110145622/http://www.harmlesslion.com/dolphins/sp_dalls.htm |date=2013-11-10 }}. Harmlesslion.com
- The largest beaked whale is the Baird's beaked whale (Berardius bairdii) at up to 14 tonnes and {{convert|13|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.{{cite web |title=Largest beaked whale|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/449706-largest-beaked-whale|access-date=19 February 2025}}
- The largest of the beluga and narwhal is the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). Adult male beluga whales can range from {{convert|3.5|to|5.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}, while the females measure {{convert|3|to|4.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
- The largest river dolphin is the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) from Amazon basin at a length of {{convert|1.53|to|2.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}, depending on subspecies. Females are typically larger than males. The largest female Amazon river dolphins can range up to {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.
- Fragmentary fossils of extinct rorquals from the Pliocene epoch suggest they rivaled the size of the largest whales today.
{{cite journal
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- Perucetus, the largest Archaeoceti, has an estimated length exceeding 17.0–20.1 meters and weight ranging from 85–340 t which also rivaled the size of the largest whales today. However, later studies proposed a much smaller size of 17 m to 20 m and 98-114 t.{{Cite journal |last1=Motani |first1=Ryosuke |last2=Pyenson |first2=Nicholas D. |date=2024-02-29 |title=Downsizing a heavyweight: factors and methods that revise weight estimates of the giant fossil whale Perucetus colossus |journal=PeerJ |language=en |volume=12 |pages=e16978 |doi=10.7717/peerj.16978 |doi-access=free |pmid=38436015 |issn=2167-8359|pmc=10909350 }}
Carnivorans (Carnivora)
File:Mirounga leonina male.JPG]]
- The largest carnivoran as well as the largest pinniped is the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), attaining sizes up to 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) in weight and 6.9 m (23 ft) in length.
- The largest living land carnivoran, on average, is the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). It can reach a shoulder height of over {{convert|1.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} and total length of as much as {{convert|3.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The heaviest wild polar bear weight recorded was {{convert|1,002|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The Kodiak bear, a brown bear (U. arctos) subspecies, rivals the polar bear in size, but is slightly smaller. It has a similar body length with the largest confirmed wild specimen weighing {{convert|751|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The largest bear, and possibly the largest known mammalian land carnivore of all time, was Arctotherium angustidens. The largest specimen yet found is estimated to have weighed up to {{convert|1,600|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and to have stood up to {{convert|3.39|m|ftin|abbr=on}} tall on the hind-limbs{{Cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259887580 |title=The Largest Known Bear, Arctotherium angustidens, from the Early Pleistocene Pampean Region of Argentina: With a Discussion of Size and Diet Trends in Bears (PDF Download Avai... |access-date=2015-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210214604/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259887580_The_Largest_Known_Bear_Arctotherium_angustidens_from_the_Early_Pleistocene_Pampean_Region_of_Argentina_With_a_Discussion_of_Size_and_Diet_Trends_in_Bears |archive-date=2015-12-10 |url-status=live }}
- The largest living species of the family Felidae is the tiger (Panthera tigris), with reports of males up to {{convert|388.7|and|465|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in the wilderness and captivity, respectively.{{efn|There are issues, such as that the record of {{convert|388.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}} for a wild Bengal tiger was not unanimously accepted as being reliable.{{cite book |author=Brakefield, Tom |title=Big Cats: Kingdom of Might |publisher=Voyageur Press |url=https://archive.org/details/bigcatskingdomof0000brak |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/bigcatskingdomof0000brak/page/44 44] |year=1993 |isbn=978-0-89658-329-0 |access-date=2017-11-28 }}{{citation |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XFIbjBEQolMC&pg=PA54 |title=Tigers of the world |author=Ronald Tilson, Philip J. Nyhus |chapter=Tiger morphology |year=2010 |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=9780815515708}}}} Captive ligers, hybrids between lions (P. leo) and tigers, can grow up to non-obese weights over {{convert|410|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://www.ligerworld.com/biggest-liger-ever-recorded.html Biggest Liger Ever Recorded] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030121631/http://www.ligerworld.com/biggest-liger-ever-recorded.html |date=2013-10-30 }}. Ligerworld.com
- Among the largest members of the family Felidae were the extinct American lion, averaging {{convert|256|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, the sabertooth Smilodon populator, of which the largest males might have exceeded {{convert|400|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, and sabertooths of genus Adeilosmilus (e.g., A. kabir), with an estimated mass of {{convert|350|-|490|kg|lb|abbr=on}}{{cite journal |last1=Peigné |first1=S. |last2=de Bonis |first2=L. |last3=Likius |first3=A. |last4=Mackaye |first4=H. T. |last5=Vignaud |first5=P. |last6=Brunet |first6=M. |title=A new machairodontine (Carnivora, Felidae) from the Late Miocene hominid locality of TM 266, Toros-Menalla, Chad |journal=Comptes Rendus Palevol |volume=4 |issue=3 |year=2005 |pages=243–253 |doi=10.1016/j.crpv.2004.10.002|bibcode=2005CRPal...4..243P }}. and the Ngangdong tiger (Panthera tigris soloensis), estimated to have weighed up to {{cvt|486|kg}}{{cite journal |last=Sherani |first=Shaheer |title=A new specimen-dependent method of estimating felid body mass |journal=PeerJ Preprints |year=2016 |page=16 |doi=10.7287/peerj.preprints.2327v2 |url=https://peerj.com/preprints/2327.pdf |doi-access=free |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173645/https://peerj.com/preprints/2327.pdf |url-status=dead }}
- In the wilderness, the largest living member of Canidae is the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The largest specimens from the Mackenzie Valley wolf (C. l. occidentalis) or the Eurasian wolf (C. l. lupus) weigh up to {{convert|80|–|86|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and measure up to {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length and {{convert|0.97|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder. Eurasian wolves from the Russian area have even been reported to weigh as much as {{convert|90|–|96|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, though these figures require verification.Heptner, V. G.; Naumov, N. P. (1998). Mammals of the Soviet Union Vol. II Part 1a, Sirenia and Carnivora (Sea cows; Wolves and Bears). Science Publishers, USA. {{ISBN|1-886106-81-9}}[http://www.commonsenseforanimals.org/wolves.html CSA – Wolves] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511100612/http://www.commonsenseforanimals.org/wolves.html |date=2013-05-11 }}. Commonsenseforanimals.org Domestic dogs however can occasionally grow heavier, up to {{convert|155.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite book|author=Mark Young|title=The Guinness book of world records, 1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSyswNFqTycC|accessdate=3 April 2013|date=2 March 1998|publisher=Bantam Books|isbn=978-0-553-57895-9|page=352|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606071134/http://books.google.com/books?id=ZSyswNFqTycC|archive-date=6 June 2013|url-status=live}}
- The largest known canid is an extinct member of subfamily Borophaginae, Epicyon haydeni. The largest known specimen of this species weighed an estimated {{convert|170|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{Cite journal |last1=Sorkin |first1=B. |title=A biomechanical constraint on body mass in terrestrial mammalian predators |doi=10.1111/j.1502-3931.2007.00091.x |journal=Lethaia |volume=41 |issue=4 |pages=333–347 |year=2008 |bibcode=2008Letha..41..333S }}
- The largest and most diverse family of carnivores, the mustelids, reaches their maximum size (by mass) in the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) of the North Pacific coasts, at up to {{convert|54|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, and (by length) the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of the Amazonian rainforests, at up to {{convert|2.4|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total.The Wildlife Year.The Reader's Digest Association, (1991). {{ISBN|0-276-42012-8}}.[http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/otters/physical-characteristics.htm OTTERS – Physical Characteristics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102220803/http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/otters/physical-characteristics.htm |date=2007-11-02 }}. Seaworld.org The largest mustelid to ever exist was likely the odd cat-like Ekorus from Africa, about the size of a modern leopard and filling a similar ecological niche before big cats came to the continent. Another contender for largest of this family is the wolverine-like Megalictis, which according to older estimates could have reached the size of a modern black bear. Newer estimates, however, significantly downgrade its size, although, at a maximum weight more than twice that of a wolverine, it is larger than most (if not all) living mustelids.
- The largest species in the mongoose family is the African white-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), at up to {{convert|6|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1.18|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.
- The largest species in the viverrid family is the Asian binturong (Arctictis binturong), at up to {{convert|27|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1.85|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, about half of which is tail.[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-binturong.htm What Is the Binturong?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110144950/http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-binturong.htm |date=2013-11-10 }}. Wisegeek.comKingdon, Jonathan Kingdon Guide to African Mammals (1993) {{ISBN|978-0-85112-235-9}} The largest viverrid known to have existed is Viverra leakeyi, which was around the size of a modern wolf or small leopard at {{convert|41|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.Alan Turner, National Geographic Prehistoric Mammals National Geographic, 2004, {{ISBN|0792271343}}
- The largest modern species in the hyena family is the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) of sub-Saharan Africa, at up to a maximum weight of {{convert|86|–|90|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://conservationconcepts.net/SpottedHyaena.aspx]{{dead link|date=October 2011}} Spotted hyenas can range up to {{convert|2.13|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length and {{convert|93|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder. The largest fossil hyena is the lion-sized Pachycrocuta, estimated at {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{Cite journal | last1 = Turner | first1 = A. | last2 = Antón | first2 = M. | doi = 10.1016/S0016-6995(96)80005-2 | title = The giant hyaena, Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Mammalia, Carnivora, Hyaenidae) | journal = Geobios | volume = 29 | issue = 4 | pages = 455 | year = 1996 | bibcode = 1996Geobi..29..455T }}
- The largest living procyonid is the raccoon (Procyon lotor) of North America, having a body length of {{convert|40|to|70|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a body weight of {{convert|3.5|to|9|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The extinct Chapalmalania of South America was the largest known member of this family, about {{convert|1.5|m|ft}} in body length.
- The largest skunk is generally considered the striped skunk, which can weigh up to {{convert|6.35|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and reaches lengths of up to {{convert|70|cm|ft|abbr=on}}. The American hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) is longer, reaching lengths of up to {{convert|82.5|cm|ft|abbr=on}}, but is usually less heavy, at up to {{convert|10|lb|kg}}.
Bats (Chiroptera)
File:Pteropus vampyrus headshot.jpeg is the largest bat by wingspan.]]
- The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is generally reported as the largest bat.Nowak, R. M., editor (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World. Vol. 1. 6th edition. Pp. 264-271. {{ISBN|0-8018-5789-9}} Its wingspan has been verified to {{convert|1.83|m|ft|abbr=on}} and may possibly reach {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}}. In weight it is surpassed by the closely related Indian flying fox (P. medius), which is the heaviest bat at up to {{convert|1.6|kg|abbr=on}}. A few other relatively poorly known species of flying foxes may match these, but few measurements are available.Flannery, T. (1995). Mammals of New Guinea. Pp. 376-377. {{ISBN|0-7301-0411-7}}Flannery, T. (1995). Mammals of the South-West Pacific & Moluccan Islands. Pp. 245-303. {{ISBN|0-7301-0417-6}}
- The spectral bat (Vampyrum spectrum) of the Neotropics, at up to {{convert|95|g|oz|abbr=on}}, {{convert|14|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|0.9|m|ft|abbr=on}} in wingspan, is the largest member of the family Phyllostomidae and is also believed to be the largest member of the microbat suborder.[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Vampyrum_spectrum.html ADW: Vampyrum spectrum: Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214041410/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Vampyrum_spectrum.html |date=2010-02-14 }}. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu (2003-05-12)
- The great evening bat (Ia io), at {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}} long with an average wingspan of {{convert|0.51|m|in|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|58|g|oz|abbr=on}}, is the largest vesper bat.[http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/88/3/728] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023061314/http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/88/3/728|date=2016-10-23}} Diet, Echolocation Calls, and Phylogenetic Affinities of the Great Evening Bat(Ia io; Vespertilionidae): Another Carnivorous Bat
Armadillos (Cingulata)
- The extant giant of this group is the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), native to tropical South America. The top size for this species is {{convert|54|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|0.55|m|ft|abbr=on}} high at the shoulder and {{convert|1.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length, although captive specimens can weigh up to {{convert|80|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/armadillo/ Armadillos, Armadillo Pictures, Armadillo Facts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906140108/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/armadillo/ |date=2011-09-06 }}. Animals.nationalgeographic.com[http://www.faunaparaguay.com/mamm6Priodontesmaximus.pdf GIANT ARMADILLO Priodontes maximus (Kerr, 1792)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201209/http://www.faunaparaguay.com/mamm6Priodontesmaximus.pdf |date=2013-10-29 }}. faunaparaguay.com
- Much larger prehistoric examples are known, especially Doedicurus of South America, which probably averaged around 2 tonnes, though one specimen may have weighed 2.3 tonnes,Soibelzon, L. H.; Zamorano, M.; Scillato-Yané, G. J.; Piazza, D.; Rodriguez, S.; Soibelzon, E. &; Beilinson, E. (2012). "Un Glyptodontidae de gran tamaño en el Holoceno temprano de la Región Pampeana, Argentina" [A glyptodont of great size in the early Holocene of the Pampas, Argentina] (PDF). Revista Brasileira de Paleontología, Sociedade Brasileira de Paleontología, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (in Spanish). 15 (1): 105–112. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2020. and could reach {{convert|3.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length and {{convert|1.53|m|ft|abbr=on}} high at the top of the shelled back.{{Citation |last=Defler |first=Thomas |title=The Xenarthrans: Armadillos, Glyptodonts, Anteaters, and Sloths |date=2019 |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98449-0_6 |work=History of Terrestrial Mammals in South America: How South American Mammalian Fauna Changed from the Mesozoic to Recent Times |series=Topics in Geobiology |volume=42 |pages=117–138 |editor-last=Defler |editor-first=Thomas |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-98449-0_6 |isbn=978-3-319-98449-0 |s2cid=92413294 |access-date=2022-06-28}}
Colugos (Dermoptera)
- Of the two colugo species in the order Dermoptera of gliding arboreal mammals in southeast Asia, the largest and most common is the Sunda flying lemur (Galeopterus variegatus). The maximum size is {{convert|2|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|73|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length.Nowak, Ronald E., Walker's Mammals of the World. The Johns Hopkins Press (1999), {{ISBN|978-0-8018-5789-8}}
Hedgehogs and gymnures (Erinaceomorpha)
- The largest of this order and family of prickly-skinned, small mammals is the greater moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura), native to the rainforests of the Malaysian Peninsula as well as Sumatra and Borneo. The maximum size of this species is over {{convert|2|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|60|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The moonrat is a member of the same family as hedgehogs, which are typically much smaller than the moonrat. Even larger was the giant gymnure Deinogalerix from Miocene Europe. It was estimated to grow larger than a modern house cat.
Hyraxes (Hyracoidea)
- The largest species of hyrax seems to be the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis), at up to {{convert|5.4|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|73|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. Prehistorically, the hyraxes were, for a time, the primary terrestrial herbivores in Africa, and some forms grew as large as modern horses.{{Cite journal | last1 = Asher | first1 = R. J. | last2 = Novacek | first2 = M. J. | last3 = Geisler | first3 = J. H. | journal = Journal of Mammalian Evolution | volume = 10 | pages = 131–194 | year = 2003 | doi = 10.1023/A:1025504124129 |title=Relationships of Endemic African Mammals and Their Fossil Relatives Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence| s2cid = 39296485 }}
Rabbits, hares, and pikas (Lagomorpha)
File:Cottontail Hungary analog photo 1983 slide scan.jpg is one of the largest living lagomorphs.]]
- The largest extant wild species may be the European hare (Lepus europaeus), native to western and central Eurasia. This lagomorph can range up to {{convert|7|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight and {{convert|0.85|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120331114229/http://www.purpleopurple.com/life-science/mammals/brown-hare.html Brown Hare – List of Mammals, Facts about Animals, Carnivores, Seals, Sea Lion, Whales, Dolphins, Monkeys, Apes, Elephants, Allies, Hoofed, Rodents, Rabbits, Hares, Insectivores, Bats, Marsupials, Monotremes, Picture, Wallpapers]. Purpleopurple.com However, the Alaskan hare (Lepus othus) has almost the same exact body-proportions and weighs slightly more, averaging {{convert|4.8|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and reaching a maximum mass of {{convert|7.2|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.Best, T. L. and Henry, T. H. [https://www.bystudin.com/mammalian-species/ Lepus othus]. Mammalian Species (1994) 458:1–5 Also, an occasional Arctic hare (L. arcticus) can also weigh as much as {{convert|7|kg|lb|abbr=on}} but is typically smaller overall than the European and Alaskan species.[http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/arctic-hare/ Arctic Hares, Arctic Hare Pictures, Arctic Hare Facts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925115511/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/arctic-hare |date=2011-09-25 }}. Animals.nationalgeographic.com
- The largest pika species, the Chinese red pika (Ochotona erythrotis), reaches a body length of {{convert|29|cm|in}}.Ochotona erythrotis – Chinese Red pika. [http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/0MLagomorph/Ochotonidae/Ochotona/Ochotona_erythrotis.htm Wildpro – The Electronic Encyclopaedia and Library for Wildlife.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525164456/http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/0MLagomorph/Ochotonidae/Ochotona/Ochotona_erythrotis.htm |date=2019-05-25 }}
- The largest domestic rabbit breed is the Flemish Giant, which can attain a maximum known weight of {{convert|12.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.
- The largest lagomorph ever was Nuralagus rex, native to Menorca, which could have possibly grown up to {{convert|23|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://www.vertpaleo.org/source/blog/post.cfm/press-release-giant-extinct-rabbit-was-the-king-of-minorca SVP – Blog] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325012256/http://www.vertpaleo.org/source/blog/post.cfm/press-release-giant-extinct-rabbit-was-the-king-of-minorca |date=2011-03-25 }}. Vertpaleo.org
Elephant shrews (Macroscelidea)
- The elephant shrews are named for their combination of long, trunk-like snouts and long legs combined with a general shrew-like body form, but these animals are in fact not closely related to any other extant order (including treeshrews) and are a unique group behaviorally and in appearance. The largest species is the recently discovered grey-faced sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis), known only from the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya. This elephant shrew can range up to {{convert|0.75|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a length of {{convert|0.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}.[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/35051642.html Photo: Largest Elephant Shrew Discovered in Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111173853/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/35051642.html |date=2013-11-11 }}. News.nationalgeographic.com (2010-10-28)[http://www.arkive.org/grey-faced-elephant-shrew/rhynchocyon-udzungwensis/ Grey-faced elephant-shrew videos, photos and facts – Rhynchocyon udzungwensis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110145219/http://www.arkive.org/grey-faced-elephant-shrew/rhynchocyon-udzungwensis/ |date=2013-11-10 }}. ARKive
Marsupials (Marsupialia)
File:Kangur.rudy.drs.jpg is the largest living marsupial.]]
- The largest opossum is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) from North America. Virginia opossums can vary considerably in size, with larger specimens found to the north of the opossum's range and smaller specimens in the tropics. They measure 13–37 inches (35–94 cm) long from their snout to the base of the tail, with the tail adding another 8.5–19 inches (21.6–47 cm). Weight for males ranges from 1.7 to 14 pounds (0.8–6.4 kg) and for females from 11 ounces to 8.2 pounds (0.3–3.7 kg).[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Didelphis_virginiana.html ADW: Didelphis virginiana: Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205032624/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Didelphis_virginiana.html |date=2011-02-05 }}. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu (1974-05-02). Retrieved on 2011-09-15.
- The largest possum is the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from Australia 32–58 cmNowak, R.M. (1991) Walker’s Mammals of the World. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London. with a tail length of 24–40 cm.Cronin, L. (2008) Cronin’s Key Guide Australian Mammals. Allen & Unwin, Sydney. It weighs 1.2-4.5 kg. Males are generally larger than females.
- The largest peramelemorph, the long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta), reaches a body length of about {{convert|40|cm}}, including a tail of {{convert|14|cm}}, and weighs {{convert|1.5|kg}}.Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland. Queensland Museum Publication. (2000), p. 335.
- The red kangaroo (Osphanter rufus) of Australia is the largest living marsupial, and the largest member of the kangaroo family. These lanky mammals have been verified to {{convert|91|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|2.18|m|ft|abbr=on}} when standing completely upright. Unconfirmed specimens have been reported up to {{convert|150|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/rogue-kangaroo-pepper-sprayed-aussie-police/ Rogue kangaroo pepper-sprayed by Aussie police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201515/http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2011/07/rogue-kangaroo-pepper-sprayed-aussie-police/ |date=2013-10-29 }}. furrynewsnetwork.com (July 2011) Prehistoric kangaroos reached even larger sizes. Procoptodon goliah was one of the largest known kangaroos that ever existed, standing approximately {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} and weighing about {{convert|230|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://australianmuseum.net.au/Procoptodon-goliah/|title=Procoptodon goliah|publisher=Australian Museum|accessdate=2012-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328042809/http://australianmuseum.net.au/Procoptodon-goliah|archive-date=2012-03-28|url-status=live}} Some species from the genus Sthenurus were similar in size as well.
- The northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus kreffti) is the largest vombatiform alive today with a head and body length up to {{convert|102|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a weight of up to {{convert|40|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Prehistorically, this suborder contained many huge marsupials, including the largest to ever exist: Diprotodon. This rhino-sized herbivore would have reached more than {{convert|3.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and stood {{convert|1.83|m|ft|abbr=on}} at shoulder and was estimated to weigh up to {{convert|3,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3040.shtml Science & Nature – Wildfacts – Diprotodon] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120526074032/http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/3040.shtml |date=2012-05-26 }}. BBC (2008-07-25)[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/10/1016_031017_giantmarsupial.html Ice Age Marsupial Topped Three Tons, Scientists Say] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111165333/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/10/1016_031017_giantmarsupial.html |date=2013-11-11 }}. News.nationalgeographic.com (2010-10-28)
- The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), endemic to Tasmania, is the largest living marsupial carnivore. These stocky mammals can range up to {{convert|14|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length.{{Cite journal | last1 = Jones | first1 = M. E. | last2 = Cockburn | first2 = A. | last3 = Hamede | first3 = R. | last4 = Hawkins | first4 = C. | last5 = Hesterman | first5 = H. | last6 = Lachish | first6 = S. | last7 = Mann | first7 = D. | last8 = McCallum | first8 = H. | last9 = Pemberton | first9 = D. | doi = 10.1073/pnas.0711236105 | title = Life-history change in disease-ravaged Tasmanian devil populations | journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | volume = 105 | issue = 29 | pages = 10023–10027 | year = 2008 | pmid = 18626026| pmc = 2481324| bibcode = 2008PNAS..10510023J | doi-access = free }}[http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/marsupials/tasmanian_devil.html Tasmanian Devil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150038/http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/marsupials/tasmanian_devil.html |date=2013-11-10 }}. The Animal Files The recently extinct thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), a close relative of the devil, grew larger and was the largest member of the group to survive into modern times. The largest measured specimen was {{convert|290|cm|ft|abbr=on}} from nose to tail.
- The largest carnivorous marsupials known to ever exist were the Australian marsupial lion (Thylacoleo carnifex) and the South American saber-toothed marsupial (Thylacosmilus) both ranging from {{convert|1.5|to|1.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and weighing between {{convert|100|and|160|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{Cite journal | last1 = Wroe | first1 = S. | last2 = Myers | first2 = T. J. | last3 = Wells | first3 = R. T. | last4 = Gillespie | first4 = A. | title = Estimating the weight of the Pleistocene marsupial lion, Thylacoleo carnifex (Thylacoleonidae:Marsupialia): Implications for the ecomorphology of a marsupial super-predator and hypotheses of impoverishment of Australian marsupial carnivore faunas | doi = 10.1071/ZO99006 | journal = Australian Journal of Zoology | volume = 47 | issue = 5 | pages = 489 | year = 1999 }}{{cite journal|title=A New Marsupial Saber-Tooth from the Pliocene of Argentina and Its Relationships to Other South American Predacious Marsupials|author=Elmer S. Riggs|journal=Transactions of the American Philosophical Society|volume=24|issue= 1|year=1934|pages=1–32|jstor=3231954|doi=10.2307/3231954}} Neither were closely related to the true marsupial carnivores of today. Rather, the marsupial lion was most closely related to the herbivorous koalas, while Thylacosmilus was a member of the order Sparassodonta, a group which may not have even been true marsupials.
Monotremes (Monotremata)
:The largest extant monotreme (egg-bearing mammal) is the western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) weighing up to {{convert|16.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and measuring {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.[http://rarestzoo.blogspot.com/2006/07/long-beaked-echidna.html Long Beaked Echidna Long Beaked Echidna] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110175451/http://rarestzoo.blogspot.com/2006/07/long-beaked-echidna.html |date=2013-11-10 }}. rarestzoo.blogspot.com (2006-07-02) The largest monotreme ever was the extinct echidna species Murrayglossus hacketti, known only from a few bones found in Western Australia. It was about 1 m long{{cite book|author1=Augee, M. L.|author2=Gooden, B.|author3=Musser, A.|title=Echidna: Extraordinary Egg-laying Mammal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2UQH-YrWwCYC&pg=PA18|date=January 2006|pages=18–20|publisher=Csiro Publishing|isbn=978-0-643-09204-4|oclc=65199910|access-date=2016-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208174231/https://books.google.com/books?id=2UQH-YrWwCYC&pg=PA18|archive-date=2017-02-08|url-status=live}} and probably weighed about {{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite web
| title = Zaglossus hacketti - extinct giant echidna
| work =megafauna.com.au/view/home
| publisher = Tourism Western Australia
| url = http://www.megafauna.com.au/view/megafauna/zaglossus-hacketti
| accessdate = 2014-04-28
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140126010215/http://www.megafauna.com.au/view/megafauna/zaglossus-hacketti
| archive-date = 2014-01-26}}
Odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyla)
File:Waterberg Nashorn2.jpg.]]
- The largest extant species is the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). The largest size this species can attain is {{convert|4,500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|4.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length, and {{convert|1.85|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder.[http://196.36.153.129/cms/african-rhino/irie.aspx African Rhinoceros] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522141936/http://196.36.153.129/cms/african-rhino/irie.aspx |date=2008-05-22 }}. Safari Now It is slightly larger than the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), which can range up to a weight of {{convert|4,000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.Boitani, Luigi, Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone Books (1984), {{ISBN|978-0-671-42805-1}} The extinct Elasmotherium sibricum was the largest rhino to ever exist. It stood approximately {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder, up to {{convert|5|m|ft|abbr=on}} long (excluding horn), and weighed from {{convert|3000|to|5000|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://sinammonite.deviantart.com/art/Elasmotherium-caucasicum-139665694 Elasmotherium caucasicum by ~sinammonite on deviantART] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150932/http://sinammonite.deviantart.com/art/Elasmotherium-caucasicum-139665694 |date=2013-11-10 }}. Sinammonite.deviantart.com
- The largest extant wild equids are the Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi), at up to {{convert|450|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, a shoulder height of {{convert|1.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} and total length of {{convert|2.75|m|ft|abbr=on}}.[http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=82 EDGE: Mammal Species Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150509/http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=82 |date=2013-11-10 }}. Edgeofexistence.org (2006-12-15) Until it was domesticated into extinction the wild horse (E. ferus) was the largest equid. Domestic horses can reach a maximum weight of {{convert|1,524|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and shoulder height of {{convert|2.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}, probably far greater than the sizes attained by the wild horse.[https://www.angelfire.com/pro/realm/horsefacts.html Cool And Interesting Horse Facts] . Angelfire.com The largest prehistoric horse was Equus giganteus of North America. It was estimated to grow around the same size as the aforementioned domestic horse.
- The largest of the tapirs is the Malayan tapir (Acrocodia indica), the only member of the family outside of South America. Maximum size is about {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length, {{convert|1.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder, and up to {{convert|540|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in weight.Wilson & Burnie, Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife. DK ADULT (2001), {{ISBN|978-0-7894-7764-4}}
- The second largest land mammal ever was Paraceratherium, a member of this order. The largest known species (Paraceratherium orgosensis) is believed to have stood up to {{convert|4.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} tall, measured over {{convert|7.4|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} long and may have weighed about 17 tonnes.{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1111/j.1096-3642.1993.tb02560.x| title = The largest land mammal ever imagined| journal = Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society| volume = 108| pages = 85–101| year = 1993| last = Fortelius | first = M.; Kappelman, J. }}
Pangolins (Pholidota)
File:Em - Smutsia gigantea - 1.jpg
- The largest species is the giant pangolin (Manis gigantea), at up to {{convert|1.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} and at least {{convert|40|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.
Anteaters and sloths (Pilosa)
- The largest species is the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). A large adult can weigh as much as {{convert|65|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, be over {{convert|0.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder and measure {{convert|2.4|m|ft|abbr=on}} in overall length.[http://www.lycos.com/info/anteater--giant-anteaters.html Anteater: Giant Anteaters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201063643/http://www.lycos.com/info/anteater--giant-anteaters.html |date=2010-02-01 }}. Lycos.com
File:Giant Anteater.jpg is one of the largest neotropical mammals.]]
- The largest living sloths are the Linnaeus's two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) and Hoffmann's two-toed sloths (C. hoffmanni), which both can range up to {{convert|10|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.86|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.{{Cite journal
| doi = 10.1073/pnas.93.1.181
| last1 = Höss | first1 = M.
| last2 = Dilling | first2 = A.
| last3 = Currant | first3 = A.
| last4 = Pääbo | first4 = S.
| title = Molecular phylogeny of the extinct ground sloth Mylodon darwinii
| journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
| volume = 93
| issue = 1
| pages = 181–185
| year = 1996
| pmid = 8552600
| pmc = 40202
| bibcode = 1996PNAS...93..181H | doi-access = free }}[http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/visit-the-zoo/sloths-anteaters-armadillos-pangolins-and-aardvark/choloepus-didactylus Southern two-toed Sloth – Choloepus didactylus: WAZA: World Association of Zoos and Aquariums] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110145121/http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/visit-the-zoo/sloths-anteaters-armadillos-pangolins-and-aardvark/choloepus-didactylus |date=2013-11-10 }}.
- The sloths attained much larger sizes prehistorically, the largest of which were Megatherium which, at an estimated average weight of 4.5 tonnes and standing height of {{convert|5.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}, was about the same size as the African bush elephant[http://www.paleocraft.com/Megatherium.html Paleocraft Megatherium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150127/http://www.paleocraft.com/Megatherium.html |date=2013-11-10 }}. Paleocraft.com
Primates (Primates)
File:Flachlandgorilla.jpg is the largest living primate.]]
- The gorillas (Gorilla gorilla & G. beringei) are the most massive living primates. The largest race is eastern lowland gorilla (G. b. graueri), with males average {{convert|140|–|200|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder while on all fours and {{convert|1.65|–|1.75|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall when standing.{{cite web|title=Gorilla beringei graueri conservation status summary|url=http://www.naturalsciences.be/science/projects/gorilla/external/pdf/Gorilla_beringei_graueri_en.pdf|publisher=naturalsciences.be|accessdate=10 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110145500/http://www.naturalsciences.be/science/projects/gorilla/external/pdf/Gorilla_beringei_graueri_en.pdf|archive-date=10 November 2013|url-status=live}} The tallest wild gorilla (from the mountain gorilla race, G. b. beringei) stood {{convert|1.95|m|ft|abbr=on}} and the heaviest wild one massed {{convert|267|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, although heavier weights have been observed in captivity. The great apes of the genus Gigantopithecus, which lived in Asia between 1 million and 100,000 years ago, are the largest primates known to have existed. It was estimated to stand {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall and to weigh up to {{convert|540|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|last=Ciochon |first=Russell L. |title=The ape that was |url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~bioanth/giganto.html |accessdate=10 June 2012 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525202625/http://www.uiowa.edu/~bioanth/giganto.html |archive-date=May 25, 2015 }} However this is disputed and may only have been half of that weight.{{cite journal|last1= Zhang|first1= Y.|last2= Harrison|first2= T.|title= Gigantopithecus blacki: a giant ape from the Pleistocene of Asia revisited|journal= American Journal of Physical Anthropology|volume= 162|issue= S63|year= 2017|page=170|doi= 10.1002/ajpa.23150|doi-access= free|pmid= 28105715}}
- The largest of the Old World monkeys is the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) with large males being up to {{convert|50|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|90|cm|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} at the shoulders.{{cite web|title=Mandril (Mandrillus sphinx)|url=http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/choose-a-species/mammals/primates/monkeys/mandrillus-sphinx|accessdate=10 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124090657/http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/choose-a-species/mammals/primates/monkeys/mandrillus-sphinx|archive-date=24 January 2015|url-status=dead}} The prehistoric baboon Dinopithecus grew even larger than modern mandrills, weighing as much as a grown man.
- The largest New World monkey is the southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides), up to {{convert|15|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length.{{cite web|title=Southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides)|url=http://www.arkive.org/southern-muriqui/brachyteles-arachnoides/#text=Facts|accessdate=10 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826094015/http://www.arkive.org/southern-muriqui/brachyteles-arachnoides/#text=Facts|archive-date=2012-08-26|url-status=dead}}
- The largest lemur is the indri (Indri indri) which can weigh up to {{convert|12|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|90|cm|ft|abbr=on}} in total length, though one fossil lemur, Archaeoindris, was gorilla-sized at {{convert|200|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=The Indri (the biggest lemur in the world, in Madagascar )|url=http://www.pensee-chretienne.org/madagascar_ravo_ftrav/indri_indri_e.htm|accessdate=10 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617035654/http://www.pensee-chretienne.org/madagascar_ravo_ftrav/indri_indri_e.htm|archive-date=17 June 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|author1=William L. Jungers |author2=Laurie R. Godfrey |author3=Elwyn L. Simons |author4=Prithijit S. Chatrath |name-list-style=amp | title = Phalangeal curvature and positional behavior in extinct sloth lemurs (Primates, Palaeopropithecidae) | date = 1997-10-28 | journal = PNAS | volume = 94 | issue = 22 | pages= 11998–12001 | pmc=23681 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.94.22.11998 | pmid = 11038588|bibcode=1997PNAS...9411998J |doi-access=free }}
- Humans (Homo sapiens) can attain weights of up to {{convert|636|kg|lb|abbr=on}} as well as heights of up to {{convert|2.72|m|ft|abbr=on}}, although these are cases of morbid obesity, tumor, gigantism or other medical malady. However, even when not afflicted with gigantism, humans are the tallest living primates. The largest man without growth abnormalities was {{convert|236|cm|ft|abbr=on}} tall and weighed at least {{convert|230|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehumanmarvels.com/angus-macaskill-the-cape-breton-giant/ |title=ANGUS MACASKILL the Cape Breton Giant |date=18 March 2009 |access-date=2018-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328044617/https://www.thehumanmarvels.com/angus-macaskill-the-cape-breton-giant/ |archive-date=2019-03-28 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://legendarystrength.com/angus-macaskill/ |title=Angus MacAskill - |date=6 July 2013 |access-date=2018-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124218/https://legendarystrength.com/angus-macaskill/ |archive-date=2018-12-09 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://allthatsinteresting.com/angus-macaskill |title=Before Andre the Giant, There Was Angus MacAskill |date=21 March 2018 |access-date=2018-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124108/https://allthatsinteresting.com/angus-macaskill |archive-date=2018-12-09 |url-status=live }}
Elephants and allies (Proboscidea)
File:African Elephant in Kenya.jpg, the largest living terrestrial animal.]]
- The African bush elephant, with a largest recorded weight of 10.4 tonnes, is the largest extant member of the order Proboscidea.{{Cite journal | last1 = Larramendi | first1 = A. | year = 2016 | title = Shoulder height, body mass and shape of proboscideans | journal = Acta Palaeontologica Polonica | volume = 61 | doi = 10.4202/app.00136.2014 | url = https://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app61/app001362014.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160824042509/http://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app61/app001362014.pdf | archive-date = 2016-08-24 | url-status = live | doi-access = free }} Though various contenders vie for the title of largest proboscid ever, including the steppe mammoth (M. trogontherii) of Asia, the columbian mammoth (M. columbi) of North America, and Paleoloxodon recki of Africa (each of these species possibly reaching a shoulder height of {{convert|4.5|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} and 14.3 tonnes in weight), the largest so far discovered species is believed to have been Palaeoloxodon namadicus. A recent estimate puts the largest individuals at a shoulder height of {{convert|5.2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} and a weight of about 22 tonnes. This would make it the largest land mammal known to ever exist, surpassing even Paraceratherium/Indricotherium.
- Deinotherium "thraceiensis", at {{convert|4.01|m|ft}} tall and a weight of {{convert|13.2|t|LT ST}}, rivaled those proboscideans in size, and was the largest member of its family (Deinotheriidae).
Rodents (Rodentia)
File:Capybara Hattiesburg Zoo (70909b-42) 2560x1600.jpg is the largest living rodent.]]
- The largest living rodent is the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), native to most of the tropical and temperate parts of South America east of the Andes, always near water. Full-grown capybaras can reach {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|0.9|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder and a maximum weight of {{convert|105.4|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The extinct Neochoerus pinckneyi from North America, at 90 to 113 kg (200 to 250 pounds), was 40% larger than the living capybara.Kurtén, Björn and Anderson, Elaine. 1980. Pleistocene Mammals of North America. Columbia University Press, New York, p. 274. {{ISBN|0-231-03733-3}}
- The second largest living rodent is the North American beaver (Castor canadensis), which favors water perhaps even more than its larger cousin. Outsized male beaver specimens have been recorded up to {{convert|50|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, which is about twice the normal weight for a beaver, and {{convert|1.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length.[http://www.timberwolfinformation.org/kidsonly/wolfweb/beaver.htm The Beaver – Life Tracks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728105948/http://www.timberwolfinformation.org/kidsonly/wolfweb/beaver.htm |date=2013-07-28 }}. Timberwolfinformation.org[http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/NorthAmerica/Facts/fact-beaver.cfm American Beaver – National Zoo. FONZ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919063644/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/NorthAmerica/Facts/fact-beaver.cfm |date=2012-09-19 }}. Nationalzoo.si.edu The Eurasian beaver (C. fiber) is close to the same average size, but is known to top out around a mass of {{convert|31.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.Kitchener, Andrew (2001). Beavers. p. 144. {{ISBN|1-873580-55-X}}. The largest of this family is the extinct giant beaver of North America. It grew over {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on}} in length and weighed roughly {{convert|60|to|100|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, also making it one of the largest rodents to ever exist.
- The largest species in the squirrel family is the hoary marmot (Marmota caligata) of the Pacific Northwest, at up to {{convert|13.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.8|m|ft|abbr=on}} long.[http://nature.ca/notebooks/english/homarm.htm Hoary Marmot: Natural History Notebooks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150300/http://nature.ca/notebooks/english/homarm.htm |date=2013-11-10 }}. Nature.ca[http://collections.burkemuseum.org/mamwash/rodentia.php#Hoary_Marmot Mammals of Washington] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805061540/http://collections.burkemuseum.org/mamwash/rodentia.php#Hoary_Marmot |date=2014-08-05 }}. Collections.burkemuseum.org
- The largest porcupine is the Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) of Central Africa {{convert|63|to|81|cm|in|abbr=off}} long from the head to the base of the tail, with the tail adding a further {{convert|11|-|20|cm|in|abbr=off}}.{{cite journal| author = Barthelmess, E.L.| year = 2006 | title = Hystrix africaeaustralis | journal = Mammalian Species | pages = Number 788: pp. 1–7 | doi = 10.1644/788.1 | volume=788| doi-access = free }} They weigh from {{convert|10|to|24|kg|lb|abbr=off}}, with exceptionally large specimens weighing up to {{convert|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}};Burnie D and Wilson DE (Eds.), Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife. DK Adult (2005), {{ISBN|0789477645}}[http://wildcliff.org/fauna/hystrix_africaeaustralis.html Wildcliff Nature Reserve] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522122354/http://wildcliff.org/fauna/hystrix_africaeaustralis.html |date=2011-05-22 }} males and females are not significantly different in size.
- The largest hutia is Desmarest's hutia (Capromys pilorides) of Cuba {{convert|31|-|60|cm|abbr=on}}, a tail that is {{convert|14|-|29|cm|abbr=on}} long, and weigh {{convert|2.8|-|8.5|kg|abbr=on}}. The largest extinct blunt-toothed giant hutia to have weighed between 50 and 200 kg (110 and 440 lb).{{Cite journal
| last1= Biknevicus |first1= A. R.
| last2 = McFarlane |first2=D. A.
| last3 = MacPhee |first3=R. D. E.
| title = Body size in Amblyrhiza inundata (Rodentia: Caviomorpha), an extinct megafaunal rodent from the Anguilla Bank, West Indies: Estimates and implications
| journal = American Museum Novitates
| issue = 3079
| pages = 1–25
| publisher = American Museum of Natural History
| location = New York
| date = 1993
| hdl = 2246/4976
}}
- The largest guinea pig, the greater guinea pig (Cavia magna), grows to a total length of {{convert|310|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} and weight of {{convert|636|g|oz|1|abbr=on}} for males and a total length of {{convert|303|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} and weight of {{convert|537|g|oz|1|abbr=on}} for females.{{cite book|author1=John F. Eisenberg|author2=Kent H. Redford|title=Mammals of the Neotropics, Volume 3: Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p2MDAzCeQQoC&pg=PA456|date=15 May 2000|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-19542-1|page=456}}
- The largest Muroid is the Gambian pouched rat of Africa. It grows up to {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} in total length and can weigh up to {{convert|4|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.[https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/giant-nine-pound-gambian-rats-invading-florida-keys-210522485.html Giant, 9-pound Gambian rats invading Florida Keys] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304233103/http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/giant-nine-pound-gambian-rats-invading-florida-keys-210522485.html |date=2016-03-04 }}. News.yahoo.com (2011-11-15)
- The largest known rodent ever is Josephoartigasia monesi, an extinct species known only from fossils found in Uruguay. It was approximately {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, and is estimated to have weighed 1.5–2.5 tonnes.{{Cite journal
| last1 = Rinderknecht | first1 = A.
| last2 = Blanco | first2 = R. E.
| doi = 10.1098/rspb.2007.1645
| title = The largest fossil rodent
| journal = Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
| volume = 275
| issue = 1637
| pages = 923–928
| year = 2008
| pmid = 18198140
| pmc =2599941
}} Prior to the description of J. monesi, the largest known rodent species were from the genus Phoberomys, of which two species have been discovered. An almost complete skeleton of the slightly smaller Late Miocene species, Phoberomys pattersoni, was discovered in Venezuela in 2000; it was approximately {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, with an additional {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} tail, and probably weighed around {{convert|700|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{Cite journal | last1 = Sanchez-Villagra | first1 = M. R. | last2 = Aguilera | first2 = O. | last3 = Horovitz | first3 = I. | doi = 10.1126/science.1089332 | title = The Anatomy of the World's Largest Extinct Rodent | journal = Science | volume = 301 | issue = 5640 | pages = 1708–1710 | year = 2003 | pmid = 14500978 | url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/9087813 | hdl = 10088/2167 | access-date = 2017-11-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170903210428/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/9087813_The_anatomy_of_the_world's_largest_extinct_rodent | archive-date = 2017-09-03 | url-status = live | bibcode = 2003Sci...301.1708S | s2cid = 33953898 }}
- The largest dipodid is the great jerboa (Allactaga major), with a body length of {{convert|180|mm|in}} and a tail of {{convert|260|mm|in}}.{{cite book|author=Björn Kurtén|title=Pleistocene Mammals of Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OsPBXSNL8ZkC&pg=PA202|year=1968|publisher=Transaction Publishers|isbn=978-1-4128-4514-4|pages=202–}}
Treeshrews (Scandentia)
- The largest of the treeshrews seems to be the common treeshrew (Tupaia glis), at up to 187 g (6.6 oz) and {{convert|40|cm|in|abbr=on}}.[http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/tree_shrews/common_tree_shrew.html Common Tree Shrew] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150039/http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/tree_shrews/common_tree_shrew.html |date=2013-11-10 }}. The Animal Files
Dugongs and manatees (Sirenia)
File:Manatee with calf.PD - colour corrected.jpg, the largest living sirenian, can weigh well over a ton.]]
- The largest living species in the order Sirenia of dugongs and manatees is the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). The largest manatees are found in the Florida subspecies. The maximum recorded size of this species was {{convert|1,655|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a total length of {{convert|4.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}.[http://www.seaworld.org/Animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/sirenia/manatees.htm Manatee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118065736/http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/sirenia/manatees.htm |date=2012-01-18 }}. seaworld.org
- The extinct Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) was the largest member to ever exist, growing up to at least {{convert|7.9|m|ft|abbr=on}} long and weighing up to 11 tonnes.[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrodamalis_gigas.html ADW: Hydrodamalis gigas: Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906061127/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hydrodamalis_gigas.html |date=2011-09-06 }}. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu It was a member of the dugong family.
Shrews and moles (Soricomorpha)
- The largest species of this order is the Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), males of which can weigh up to 1 kg (35.3 oz) and reach lengths of {{convert|32|cm|in|abbr=on}}.
- The largest species of shrew, typically among the smallest-bodied of mammals, is the Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus), weighing up to {{convert|100|g|oz|abbr=on}} and reach lengths of up to {{convert|16|cm|in|abbr=on}}.[http://www.zootierliste.de/en/?klasse=1&ordnung=103&familie=10302&art=1030201 ZootierlisteHomepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110190948/http://www.zootierliste.de/en/?klasse=1&ordnung=103&familie=10302&art=1030201 |date=2013-11-10 }}. Zootierliste.de
- The largest mole is the amphibious Russian desman (Desmana moschata), with a total length of up to {{convert|43|cm|ft|abbr=on}} and an upper weight of {{convert|520|g|lb|abbr=on}}.[http://lang-8.com/120307/journals/385464/The-Russian-Desman The Russian Desman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110144700/http://lang-8.com/120307/journals/385464/The-Russian-Desman |date=2013-11-10 }}. Lang-8 (2010-02-26)
Aardvark (Tubulidentata)
- The only species in this order is the unique aardvark (Orycteropus afer) of sub-Saharan Africa. Aardvarks are typically up to {{convert|1.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length with an average weight of up to {{convert|65|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and a shoulder height up to {{convert|0.65|m|ft|abbr=on}}.[http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=532 EDGE :: Mammal Species Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150430/http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=532|date=2013-11-10}}. Edgeofexistence.org (2006-05-18) However, individuals as large as {{convert|2.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} and as heavy as {{convert|100|kg|lb|abbr=on}} are recorded.[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Orycteropus_afer.html ADW: Orycteropus afer: Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202190918/http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Orycteropus_afer.html |date=2011-02-02 }}. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu.
Other mammals
- An ancient relative of ungulates, Andrewsarchus, may have been the largest carnivorous land mammal ever, despite almost all living species being herbivorous. Known only from a {{convert|0.83|m|ft|abbr=on}} skull found in Mongolia, about twice the length of a modern brown bear skull, this great beast has been estimated to range as high in size as {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} at the shoulder and {{convert|4.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length.[http://www.abc.net.au/beasts/evidence/prog2/page5_2.htm Science – Beasts – Evidence – Programme 2 – Andrewsarchus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510183015/http://www.abc.net.au/beasts/evidence/prog2/page5_2.htm |date=2013-05-10 }}. ABC Weight estimates range anywhere from 454 to 1,816 kg (1,000 to 4,000 lb.) based on the unknown proportion of the skull's size relative to the body size.Osborn, H. F. [http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/handle/2246/3226 Andrewsarchus, giant mesonychid of Mongolia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110144241/http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/handle/2246/3226 |date=2013-11-10 }}. American Museum Novitates (1924) 146
- The largest member of the extinct order Cimolesta was probably Coryphodon, which was about {{convert|1|m|ft}} at shoulder height and {{convert|2.5|m|ft}} in body length and may have weighed up to {{Convert|700|kg|abbr=on}} in the largest species.{{Cite journal | last1 = Uhen | first1 = Mark D. | last2 = Gingerich | first2 = Philip D. | author2-link = Philip D. Gingerich | title = Evolution of Coryphodon (Mammalia, Pantodonta) in the Late Paleocene and Early Eocene of Northwestern Wyoming | year = 1995 | journal = Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan | volume = 29 | issue = 10 |url = http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/48649/ID516.pdf | access-date = 17 September 2022| oclc = 742731820 |at=Body Mass, pp. 263–5}}
- The largest member of the extinct order Dinocerata (commonly known as Uintatheres) was Eobasileus. It was about {{convert|4|m|ft}} long and stood {{convert|2.1|m|ft}} tall at the shoulder, with a weight up to 4000 kg (8818 lbs).{{Cite web |url=http://tech.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/MammalPaleontology/message/374 |title=MammalPaleontology : Message: Eobasileus - A Uintathere |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217205424/http://tech.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/MammalPaleontology/message/374 |archive-date=17 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}
- The largest "creodont" was either Megistotherium or Sarkastodon. Both have had estimated weights of around {{convert|800|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, though more recent studies suggest they were more likely closer to {{convert|500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Both were among the largest predatory mammals of all time.
- The largest member of the extinct Notoungulata, and the superorder Meridiungulata, was Toxodon. It was about {{Convert|2.7|m|abbr=on}} in body length, with an estimated weight up to {{Convert|1415|kg|abbr=on}}.Farina, Richard A., Ada Czerwonogora, and MARIANA DI GIACOMO. "[http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0001-37652014000100311&script=sci_arttext Splendid oddness: revisiting the curious trophic relationships of South American Pleistocene mammals and their abundance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906182033/http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0001-37652014000100311&script=sci_arttext |date=2017-09-06 }}." Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 86.1 (2014): 311-331.
- Taeniolabis taoensis is the largest non-therian mammal known, at a weight possibly exceeding 100 kg.Thomas E. Williamson, Stephen L. Brusatte, Ross Secord, Sarah Shelley, A new taeniolabidoid multituberculate (Mammalia) from the middle Puercan of the Nacimiento Formation, New Mexico, and a revision of taeniolabidoid systematics and phylogeny, 5 OCT 2015, doi: 10.1111/zoj.12336: "Taeniolabidoids underwent a modest taxonomic radiation during the early Palaeocene of North America and underwent a dramatic increase in body size, with Taeniolabis taoensis possibly exceeding 100 kg"
- Patagomaia chainko is the largest Mesozoic mammal known.
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}