10 Largest Sea Creatures in the World. There are plenty of large, fascinating animals in the world, with over 600 million known species on our planet. However, the ocean is home to behemoth creatures that get just as big as they need to be in order to survive and thrive. There are various different species of these awe-inspiring giants, landing us on this matter of size! Today we’ll learn about 10 of the 10 largest sea creatures in the world and rank them according to size. We’ll also learn some fun facts about what makes each one unique!
Japanese Spider Crab
If you typically find spiders creepy, then the largest arthropod in the world probably doesn’t sound like an appealing cuisine. The Japanese Spider Crab will most likely make your skin crawl; they can sometimes weigh up to 42 pounds! That’s a lot of breading and biting, so maybe avoid these crabs because they could just be more trouble than they’re worth.
9. Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
The majestic Lion’s Mane Jellyfish lives in frigid northern waters that include the Arctic Circle and parts of the Baltic Sea. Its bell, or top part, alone can reach up to eight feet in diameter! The tentacles are usually quite fine in proportion to its round body. It can grow to be longer than many whales but shoots out venomous barbs to incapacitate its prey instead.
8. Giant Oarfish
The Giant Oarfish is the longest bony fish in the world and is rarely encountered by humans since it keeps to deep sea waters. However, specimens have been known to wash up on shore from time to time giving people a chance to compare their length with other types of fish. Despite these long, slender fish being often attributed as possible sources of old sea monsters sightings, they’re very rarely seen.
7. Great White Shark
The Great White Shark is the largest predatory shark in the world. This fearsome creature was popularized by the film Jaws, which depicted a great white inside of a fishing boat trying to attack people, and you can find them swimming in groups. They prefer to avoid fighting with each other when they can because they are so powerful that one bite can stun or severely injure another individual.
6. Giant Manta Ray
The Giant Manta Ray is the largest ray in the world, with a “wingspan” of up to 29 feet. They are technically carnivores, but their diets consist of only zooplankton and they filter it from the water while they swim. Their gills are on their undersides and they move their fins much like wings do to propel themselves through temperate waters where they live.
5. Orca
Killer Whales, or Orcas, are the largest members of the dolphin family. They are also known for hunting and eating just about any creature within reach, including other whales. In fact, they’re often referred to as “Killer Whales” because their status as apex predators gives them the power to attack and kill just about anything that crosses their paths. From boreal lakes to tropical coral reefs, orcas can be found all over the globe in various types of ocean waters.
4. Whale Shark
Sharks may seem like they’re doing one thing, but they’re actually doing at least two things: feeding and mating. These magnificent creatures have an average lifespan of 70 to 130 years, and each individual shark will have its own unique pattern of brown spots. Whale sharks live mostly solitary lives, but will share feeding grounds in peace.
3. Sperm Whale
There are many misconceptions and myths about the Sperm Whale. One of the most popular is that this massive, predatory whale feeds on everything, including sharks, octopi, rays, and squid. However, it’s not just its prowess in the oceans that compel people to think of it as a monster. The Sperm Whale is also known for inspiring the “white whale” of Moby Dick and has helped spur legends and myths all over the world.
2. Fin Whale
The fin whale is a cetacean species. It’s often seen breaching the water, which would make it the fastest cold-lipped whale in the ocean. The baleen whale has a distinctive back ridge, giving this species its name: “razorback.”
1. Blue Whale
The Blue Whale is the largest sea creature in the world and holds a special status as the largest mammal of all time. On average, blue whales weigh over 100 tons and have a heart that weighs over 1,500 pounds! They’re part of the baleen whale suborder, which includes gray whales and white whales.
