What is the largest mammal in the world?

The blue whale holds the title for the largest mammal in the world, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) and weighing as much as 200 tons or more. This massive marine mammal is a filter feeder, primarily consuming small shrimp-like animals known as krill. Blue whales are not only the largest mammals, but they are also the largest animals to have ever lived on Earth, surpassing even the size of any known dinosaur.

Other candidates mentioned, such as elephants, giraffes, and great white sharks, are significantly smaller than blue whales. Elephants, while the largest land mammals, can weigh up to around 12 tons and measure up to 13 feet (4 meters) tall. Giraffes are the tallest land mammals but weigh approximately 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) at most. The great white shark, although a formidable predator, is a fish and not a mammal, making it ineligible for the title. Thus, the blue whale stands unparalleled in size among mammals.