The Largest Animal on Earth

       Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth.  They can grow up to 100 feet (30 meters) long, weigh over 200 tons, and live to the age of 90. Their tongues can weigh as much as an elephant and their hearts as much as a car. When these animals exhale, the can shoot water up to 30 ft into the air from their blowhole.  These whales are carnivores, but surprisingly they only eat small krill.  They are endangered and travel in small pods, in pairs, or alone.  Blue whales used to be hunted by humans and over 300,000 were killed. They are now an endangered but protected speices. It is believd that there are only 10,000 to 25,000 of these magnificent creatures left in the ocean.  Blue whales have few predators but are known to fall victim to attacks by sharks and killer whales, and many are injured or die each year from impacts with large ships.  On the coast of Monterey Bay, California, there have been sightings of blue whales this year. They came very close to shore to following groups of krill. 

To learn more about these mammals click here and for pictures click here.