From the lush, humid tropical forests to the mysterious depths of the ocean, these giant creatures may be species you never expected.
1. Giant African Snail
Giant Ghanaian Snail, sometimes referred to simply as the giant snail, is a large, omnivorous mollusk that can sometimes exceed 30 cm in length.
This is the largest snail species on Earth.
Originating from East Africa, this gastropod is not your typical slow-moving snail. It is the largest snail species on the planet.
Its size is impressive, and so is its appetite. These snails are not picky eaters; they voraciously consume almost everything they encounter. Their diet includes over 500 types of plants, and these snails can transform lush landscapes into barren land at an astonishing rate. Due to their high consumption and prolific breeding, they are considered one of the most invasive species in the world.
2. Chinese Giant Salamander
The Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus, is one of the largest and most unique salamander species in the world. This amphibian, native to central and eastern China, can grow up to 1.8 meters long and weigh nearly 60 kg, making it the largest extant amphibian on the planet.
It is one of the largest and most unique salamander species in the world.
Historically, the giant salamander was considered a single species, but recent research has distinguished them into three separate species from southern, central, and eastern China.
One of the newly named species, Andrias sligoi, or the Southern Chinese Giant Salamander, is believed to be the largest of the three, reaching lengths of nearly 2 meters.
Unlike many other amphibian species, the Chinese Giant Salamander has a long lifespan; some can live longer than an average human.
They can live up to 30 years in the wild and even up to 60 years in captivity. The differing lifespans of wild and captive Chinese Giant Salamanders stem from their diet and living conditions. While wild salamanders must fend for themselves, facing illness and numerous threats, captive ones benefit from medical care and protection from predators.
3. Giant Fruit Bat
Giant fruit bats usually live in colonies. However, not all fruit bat species are giant; the smallest measures only 6 cm. The largest, the Giant Fruit Bat (sometimes referred to as flying foxes), boasts the longest forearm length among species, measuring up to 21.5 cm. Their wingspan is also impressive, ranging from 1.5 m to 1.7 m, large enough to envelop an average-sized human.
This species of bat can now only be found in the Maitum forest in southern Philippines.
Like all bat species, these giant bats roost in trees with sharp claws and sleep upside down. They have excellent eyesight, which they use for navigation and foraging. This species can now only be found in the Maitum forest in southern Philippines.
Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, these bats are completely harmless. They primarily feed on fruits, leaves, with figs being a staple food source. They can fly up to 40 km each night in search of food. These bats spend most of their daytime sleeping, as they are nocturnal like other bat species.
The Giant Fruit Bat is currently protected by international treaties and is listed as an endangered species. However, even with legal protection, hunting and trafficking continue to pose threats. From 1986 to 2016, their population has declined by over 50%.
4. Giant Freshwater Stingray
Mekong River Stingray.
Not all stingrays inhabit the ocean; in fact, the largest ones live in the Mekong River.
Giant Freshwater Stingray, or Mekong River Stingray, is a species of freshwater stingray in the family Dasyatidae within the order Myliobatiformes, found in the Indochinese peninsula and the island of Borneo in Indonesia.
With a width exceeding 2.2 meters, these colossal aquatic creatures are among the largest fish in the world. Despite their massive size, they are elusive to us. Their flat bodies allow them to bury themselves in the riverbed, disappearing from sight. Furthermore, giant freshwater stingrays are threatened due to overfishing and habitat degradation caused by deforestation, land development, and dam construction. These stingrays typically weigh between 500 to 600 kg.
5. Nomura’s Jellyfish
When mentioning jellyfish, many people might think of small, adorable creatures with crystal-clear appearances. However, in reality, there are many large jellyfish species in the vast oceans. And the giant jellyfish below is one of them.
When mature, they can reach a diameter of about 2 meters and weigh over 220 kg.
The diameter of Nomura’s jellyfish can exceed the average height of a man. When fully grown, they can reach a diameter of about 2 meters, weighing over 220 kg. Nomura’s jellyfish primarily inhabit the waters between China and Japan (central Yellow Sea and the area of the China Sea).
Previously, this species primarily resided in deep sea waters. However, due to the destruction of marine ecosystems and global warming in recent years, their behavior has changed.
Notably, Nomura’s jellyfish are not only massive but also highly toxic. Accidental contact can result in life-threatening stings.
Since 2005, they have become a disaster for the fishing industry in Japanese coastal areas. They cause unintentional attacks on fishing vessels and significantly disrupt the marine food chain.
