How heavy can a whale get?

Whales are heavy animals. Many of the species grow to be several meters long and weigh a proud weight. Their way of life in the water makes this possible.

Heavy giants under water

• The largest mammal in the world is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Even in the times of the dinosaurs, there was never a greater being than this sea giant. The colossi are up to 30 meters long, and 33 have already been measured. They weigh up to 200 tons, and their hearts alone can weigh up to one ton (1000 kilograms). The females are larger than the males. Unfortunately this species is critically endangered.
• Another well-known giant is the sperm whale (Physeter cotodon). With a length of up to 20 meters and a weight of around 50 tons, it is the largest representative of the toothed whale group. These own theirs Names corresponding teeth, some only a few, others up to 200.
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• The second group of marine mammals are the baleen whales. They include ten giants, such as the blue whale mentioned above, as well as humpback and bowhead whales or the minke whale, which, at around 8-10 meters in length, does not quite live up to its name. Even the calves of these dwarfs are born weighing around 450 kilograms.

Agile dolphins are also part of it

• In the group of toothed whales, most species remain much smaller. Our popular dolphins, which feed on fish and octopus, belong here.


What do sperm whales eat?

Sperm whales are impressive marine mammals with their huge heads. In the lower jaw ...

• The largest and therefore heaviest representative among the dolphins is the orca (Orcinus orca), also called killer whale or even killer whale. 10 meters in length and up to 10 tons in weight do not prevent the animals from being agile predators. In groups, they hunt not only small seafood, but also seals, sea lions and even other whales.
• The actual dolphin (Delphinus delphis) remains much smaller. The animals weigh just 100 kilograms and are no longer than 2.5 meters. So they are not that heavy, extremely lively, playful, do somersaults and fascinate people as agile and intelligent swimmers.

Why can a whale be so heavy?

• A giant blue whale on land would be crushed by its own weight. In the water, on the other hand, there is almost weightlessness. The animals do not have to carry their own weight like mammals living on land.
• However, the ancestors of the marine mammals also lived on land once. Then those that were found both in water and on land developed. Today whales are the only mammals that live exclusively in water.
• Their size has an advantage in the cold waters of the seas. The larger a being is, the smaller the surface of the skin is in relation to the body mass. So a huge, heavy whale doesn't cool down that quickly. This makes it possible for the animals to survive even in the cold polar water. Despite their enormous mass, the colossi are nimble swimmers.