What Is the Largest Living Thing on Earth? It's Not What You Think!

For years, the blue whale has been the poster child for massive creatures. But what if I told you something else dwarfs even this ocean giant? Prepare to have your mind blown as we dive into the fascinating world of superlatives and uncover the true heavyweight champion of the living world.

The Blue Whale: A False Start?

When you picture the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale likely springs to mind. And for good reason! These marine mammals are undeniably colossal. The biggest blue whale ever recorded clocked in at a staggering 190 metric tons and measured 27.6 meters long. That's equivalent to 104 SUVs or a short-haul airliner!

But, as impressive as these figures are, the blue whale isn't the end of the story.

Dinosaurs: Sizeable, But Not Quite Enough

Venturing back to prehistoric times, dinosaurs, particularly titanosaurs, emerge as potential contenders. The Argentinosaurus, discovered in the 1990s, was estimated to be 35 meters long and weigh 70 metric tons. Another titanosaur, the Patagotitan mayorum, was believed to be even larger, but weight estimations put it slightly below the Argentinosaurus.

While these dinosaurs were longer than the blue whale, they couldn't match its immense weight. The buoyancy of water allows marine creatures to grow to sizes that land animals simply can't sustain due to gravity.

Marine Reptiles: Exaggerated Giants

The Cretaceous period saw the rise of massive marine reptiles like the Mosasaur. While depictions in popular media portray them as enormous, reality paints a different picture. The largest Mosasaurs are believed to have reached a maximum length of 18 meters, far smaller than the blue whale.

In 2018, the discovery of a giant Ichthyosaur, measuring nearly 26 meters, offered another potential contender. However, its estimated weight still fell short of the blue whale's, solidifying the whale's position as the largest animal to have ever swam in our planet’s waters.

Trees: Height vs. Volume

Shifting our focus back to land, trees present a new dimension to the size competition. The Hyperion, a coast redwood in California, stands at an astounding 115.85 meters tall, dwarfing even Godzilla. However, height isn't everything.

The General Sherman, a giant sequoia, may be shorter at 82.6 meters, but its volume is a mind-boggling 1,487 cubic meters. That's enough space to fit approximately seven blue whales! Its total weight, including its root system, is estimated at 1,814 tonnes.

Despite the General's impressive stats, there's still something larger lurking beneath the surface.

The Humongous Fungus: An Unexpected Champion

Deep beneath the forest floor of the Malheur National Forest in Eastern Oregon lies the Armillaria ostoyae, or honey fungus. This unassuming organism is the true giant of the living world.

While we typically only see the fruiting body (mushrooms or toadstools), the majority of the fungus exists underground. This parasitic fungus attacks conifer trees, feeding off their roots and ultimately killing them.

The Humongous Fungus stretches across an incredible 2,200 acres (8.9 square kilometers), equivalent to approximately 1,700 NFL football fields. If the entire fungus were dug up, it's estimated to weigh 400 tonnes, more than double the weight of a blue whale!

Pando: A Forest of Clones

Another contender for the title of largest living organism is Pando, a grove of over 47,000 quaking aspen trees in Utah. These trees are genetically identical and share a single root system, making them a single organism.

While Pando covers a smaller area than the Humongous Fungus (106 acres), its estimated weight is a staggering 6,000 tonnes. However, Pando is sadly in decline, with up to 80% of the grove potentially collapsing in the next 10 to 20 years.

The Verdict

So, who is the true champion? The answer depends on the criteria:

• Area Covered: The Humongous Fungus is the clear winner.
• Weight: Pando takes the lead.

While the Guinness World Records acknowledges Pando as the "Most Massive Plant" and the Honey Fungus as the "Largest Fungi," the title of "Largest Living Organism" remains unclaimed due to the ongoing debate.

Ultimately, the Armillaria ostoyae, with its vast underground network and impressive weight, emerges as the most compelling candidate for the largest living thing on Earth. This humble fungus reminds us that size isn't everything, and that the most extraordinary wonders can often be found in the most unexpected places.