What is the largest mammal in the world?

The largest mammal in the world is the blue whale, which is a marine mammal and can grow to lengths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) or more, weighing as much as 200 tons or more. This size surpasses that of any other known mammal, including the largest terrestrial mammals like elephants and giraffes. Blue whales primarily feed on tiny shrimp-like animals called krill, consuming up to 4 tons of them each day during feeding seasons.

In contrast, while elephants are the largest land-based mammals and certainly impressive in size, they do not come close to the dimensions of a blue whale. Giraffes, known for their tall necks and unique appearance, are also significantly smaller than blue whales. Lastly, the great white shark, while a large marine predator, is not a mammal but a fish, and thus does not qualify for this particular question regarding mammals. This highlights the distinctive classification and size of the blue whale among both mammals and the animal kingdom at large.