Our world has over 2 Million animal species, many of them living on land. Let’s take a look at the biggest of the bunch.
Grading Criteria: We will be looking at overall size in relation to weight, length and height and then compile a list based on this. We will also be including the top entry for each species, for example there are many species of elephant that could make the list but we will only be including one on the list.
10: Ostrich
Ostriches have a close ancestry with certain species of dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period. In parts of Africa and the Middle East, they are used as mounts.
They stand incredibly tall with the biggest members reaching up to 2.8 meters (9.2 feet). Their long, powerful legs are designed for speed and support with two toes on each foot and a large claw on the bigger toe, enabling them to reach speeds of over 60 km/h. They have small wings compared to their body size – rendering them flightless – but they use their wings for balance when running, and in mating displays. They are well-suited to dry environments and can tolerate high temperatures. They are found in savannahs and deserts regions, predominantly in Africa, living in varied group sizes. They are omnivores; consuming mostly a herbivores diet but also insects, small bugs and, at times, even small animals. Their eggs are the largest in the world, with a female laying up to 20 eggs, deposited in a communal nest. They are not considered endangered as they have stable populations, however, Ostrich farming is common in some regions, providing a source of meat, eggs, and feathers.
9: Siberian Tiger
A beast that is powerful and a symbol of the wild – in many cultures, particularly in Siberia, this beast is revered as a deity. They have become critically endangered and their numbers in the wild are reducing every year.
Also known as the Amur tiger, it is the largest of the tiger subspecies, living in dense forest in the Siberian region of Russia and some other areas including North China and potentially even North Korea. These tigers are adapted to cold climates, with their thick fur and layers of fat helping them endure harsh winters. They are solitary and highly territorial, especially males, who may have territories that span hundreds of square kilometres. Despite their solitary nature, tigers communicate through vocalisations, scent marking, and scratch marks on trees to indicate territory boundaries. They primarily hunt large ungulates such as deer, wild boar, and elk but are opportunistic animals also and will hunt smaller mammals, birds, and fish. They rely on stealth and strength to ambush their prey, often approaching quietly and then launching a powerful attack to bring down their target. With the global population estimated at about 500-600 individuals in the wild, these tigers are severely endangered with lots of conservation efforts and awareness being made to protect these majestic creatures.
8: Polar Bear
Polar Bears are symbols of the arctic with their white fur and incredible adaptation to their environment. Let’s not also forget, they are the largest land carnivore in the world.
Polar bears don’t weigh much compared to the other entries on this list, with even the biggest males not weighing more than 1000kg. However when they stand on their hind legs they can reach lengths of up to 3 meters, towering over almost all land animals in the world. They have a layer of blubber and thick fur which is not actually white but translucent as this allows them to blend in with their snowy surroundings, their black skin helps them retain warmth. Polar bears have large paws with rough pads and sharp claws, allowing them to walk on ice and snow without slipping and to catch their prey. For years its been known that their habitat has been declining due to global warming. They rely heavily on sea ice for hunting and travel, using it to hunt seals, their primary source of food. Due to this, they may have to travel long distances to find food and can go for extended periods without eating. Polar bears are predominantly solitary creatures, except for mothers with cubs or during the mating season.
7: Moose
Moose are the largest member of the deer family, a true representation of the alpine forests of the northern hemisphere, they are spread out across multiple regions including Scandinavia, North America and Eastern Russia.
Moose are solitary animals who prefer dense boreal forests where they are sheltered and have lots of food. Not commonly known, moose are actually agile swimmers and can move efficiently through marshes and lakes despite their big size. Their long legs allow them to move and navigate through deep snow and swampy terrain. The bulls of the species are well known for their massive antlers that can span up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) across, which they shed and regrow annually. These antlers are used for attracting mates and in territorial battles. Moose play a significant role in their ecosystems, affecting vegetation and providing a food source for predators like wolves and bears, they are vital to the health’s of the forests they live in.
6: Dromedary Camel
One of the icons of the desert, this amazingly adapted animal can survive on super low water amounts that would otherwise be impossible for other mammals.
The Dromedary camels also known as the Arabian camel, typically stands at 1.8 to 2.1 meters (6 to 7 feet) with long legs, slender body and has a singular hump that stores fat and provides energy and hydration during long periods without food or water. Their coat ranges from light brown to sandy beige, which helps reflect the desert sun and keeps them cool. Dromedaries have long, flexible necks, small ears, and large nostrils that can close to protect against sand and dust. They are known for their endurance and ability to travel long distances across deserts with padded feet that are adapted for walking on sand in the arid and desert regions of the Middle East and North Africa. They have been domesticated for thousands of years, serving as beasts of burden, providing milk and meat, and even being used for racing in some cultures. Feral populations have began showing up in Australia where they have adapted well to the environment, this however can pose environmental challenges due to overgrazing and competition with native wildlife
5: Gaur 
Also known as the Indian bison, is the largest wild bovine species and is native to South and Southeast Asia
Largest members of the species usually exceed 1,000kg in weight and have a robust build with muscular bodies, a high dorsal ridge, and a large head adorned with curved horns. The horns themselves are curved and can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length, commonly used for defence and during territorial displays. Gaurs prefer undisturbed forested areas with plenty of vegetation for feeding and open spaces for grazing in countries such as India, Thailand and Nepal. They are generally shy animals and avoid human contact, however, they can become aggressive if threatened or during the mating season. Even tigers and crocodiles rarely mess with gaur’s, their biggest threats are habitat loss, poaching, and disease transmission from domestic cattle.
4: Hippopotamus
Contrary to what many people think, Hippos are actually quite dangerous and have been estimated to kill about 500 people a year.
Nevertheless, they are still amazing creatures who lead a semi-aquatic lifestyle in rivers, lakes, and wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa that weigh up to 3,200kg (7,000 pounds).They require both water and land habitats, as they spend much of their time in water to stay cool and prevent their skin from drying out. Hippos are very social animals, living in groups known as pods or bloats spending much of their day in the water and coming on land to graze. They often show aggressive behaviour, particularly males during territorial disputes and females protecting their young and are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa due to their strength and unpredictability. Hippos have large heads with massive jaws and teeth. Their canine teeth can grow to 50 cm (20 inches) long, serving as formidable weapons in confrontations. Despite their massive size, hippos can run surprisingly fast on land, reaching speeds of up to 30 km/h (19 mph) in short bursts.
3: White Rhinoceros
Rhino’s are great creatures commonly associated with power and their iconic horns, they are also sadly one of the many entries on this list that are severely endangered and at risk of extinction due to poaching activities.
Rhino’s are great and majestic creatures who can be seen as peaceful grazers aswell as dangerous threats, especially as they come more in contact with humans due to habitat loss and takeover. The White Rhino is the largest of them all reaching lengths of up to 4.2 meters (14 feet) and stand up to 1.8 meters (6 feet). Heavy fellows too weighing in at about 5000 pounds or 2 tonnes, this large bulk of theirs comes from their thick skin and stocky build. Primarily living in southern Africa, they inhabit the grasslands and savannahs, where they can find plenty of grass to graze on and are generally considered social animals, often found in groups known as “crashes.” White rhinos have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell, which helps them detect predators and other threats. The white rhino has two subspecies which are the southern and northern counterparts, the southern is the more populous of the two and has recovered from near extinction due to conservation efforts. The same cannot be said for the Northern white rhino which as of 2024 only has 2 live specimens known, which are in captivity.
2: Giraffe
The tallest land animal in the world, distinctly know for their long necks and spotted coat patterns.
Giraffe’s tower above the rest of the animal kingdom at an average height of about 5.5 meters (18 feet). Their long, slender legs and neck that help them reach these heights are adapted for walking long distances and for reaching leaves high up in trees. Giraffe’s are native to the savannahs, grasslands, and open woodlands of many countries in southern Africa. Giraffe’s are peaceful herbivores, spending much of their time grazing on leaves from tall trees, particularly acacia trees. Male giraffe’s establish a hierarchy through necking contests, where they swing their long necks and heads at each other in a ritualised display of dominance. With a Gestation period of 13 – 15 months, new calves are born whilst the mother gives birth standing up so they have a bit of a fall. These new-born calves are usually around 2 meters (6 feet) tall when born and can usually walk within hours of birth.
1: African Elephant
Everyone knows elephants are giant animals and even from a young age, we associate and compare size and mass to that of elephant. While many species of elephant could have made the list, it is the African Elephant that is King.
African elephants are the biggest elephants you will find worldwide. The biggest males, also known as bulls, are known to weigh more than 6,000kg (13,000 pounds) and stand up to 4 meters (13 feet) tall, their tusks alone can weigh around 100kg (220 pounds! African elephants inhabit a wide range of habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, including savannahs, forests, deserts, and marshes and call many countries – including Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe – home. They are highly social animals, living in complex family groups led by a matriarch, typically the oldest and most experienced female, while bulls tend to live on their own or in small groups of males until they reach sexual maturity. They are herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, leaves, bark, fruits, and roots and to feed their massive bulks they can consume hundreds of kilograms of vegetation each day, depending on availability. African elephants face numerous threats, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching for their ivory tusks. Fortunately, conservation efforts are underway to protect elephant populations and their habitats which include anti-poaching initiatives, habitat conservation, and community-based conservation programs.
Honourable Mention: Liger
While this animal is a hybrid cross between a tiger and a lion, their great sizes make them rival the polar bear as largest land carnivore and the Siberian Tiger as the largest cat species in the world. They are only found in captivity with less than a 100 members alive today. They are the by product of a male lion and a female tiger with encounters like this happening in the while being extremely rare. They can grow up to 3.7 meters (12 feet) in length, including the tail, and weigh up to 450 kg (990 pounds) or more. They exhibit characteristics of both lions and tigers in terms of behaviour, for example they are typically more social than tigers, similar to lions, but may also have a fondness for water, like tigers. Their appearance combines features of both lions and tigers. Ligers usually have a tawny, golden coat with faint stripes inherited from their tiger parent, and some may have a mane, though generally less pronounced than a lion’s.
Other Contenders
American Bison: The largest mammal in North America, with males weighing up to 2,200 pounds (998 kg) and standing about 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall at the shoulder.
Walrus: Although primarily aquatic, walruses are known to haul out on land, with males weighing up to 3,700 pounds (1,678 kg).
Brown Bear: Including grizzly bears and Kodiak bears, males can weigh up to 1,500 pounds (680 kg) and reach heights of over 9 feet (2.7 meters) when standing upright.