Most butterflies you have seen were probably very tiny, but the Atlas Moth butterfly is the largest butterfly in the world. Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, first named the species in 1758. The Atlas Moth is named after the titan of Greek mythology, Atlas (due to their huge size and their map-like wing patterns).
Atlas Moths can be found in tropical climates, mostly in forests and shrublands. They are mainly spotted in Southeast Asia. And based on its name, you would assume that Atlas Moths could be found around the world. We guess its name can also be attributed to its huge size, akin to the mountains of North Africa.
The Giant Oarfish Resembles A Sea Monster
The giant oarfish takes the title as the world’s longest bony fish. They can reach up to 110 feet in length. The biggest oarfish to ever be recorded weighed 600 pounds. They tend to make headlines when they wash up on shore because they are so huge. They have also been confused with "sea serpents" on several occasions.
These deep-sea fish have a silver color with dark markings. They have long, oar-shaped fins and swim in an undulating fashion. While we don't know much about these fish, we know they feast on krill, other small crustaceans, fish, and squid. Adult oarfish tend to live on their own.
5 Foot Bismarck Flying Fox Of New Guinea
Most people scorn bats. Many cultures commonly associate them with darkness, witchcraft, and vampires. They are often portrayed as such in films. The Bismarck Masked Flying Fox can be found in Papua New Guinea in forests, coconut groves, and in mixed fruit orchards. It gets its name from the Bismarck Archipelago. These enormous bats are the largest in the world. They get their title as flying foxes thanks to their fox-shaped faces. The span of their wings can measure 5.25 feet but they are usually a little under five feet.
Their ears are pointy and they don't have a tail. The male bats are able to lactate, making it only one of few species of mammals who are able to do so. They feast on fruit, nectar, and flowers. It lacks the ability to echo-locate, which it makes up for with its well-developed eyesight. They may live in colonies with as many as 200,000 other bats.
Flemish Giant Rabbit Is as Big as the Family Dog
Meet the Flemish Giant Rabbit, a huge breed of domestic rabbit that is the biggest bread of rabbit in the world. These rabbits can weigh up to 22 pounds. The longest one ever recorded was 4 feet 3 inches. The rabbit's large size is clearly visible in this photo, as it is just as large as the dog it's sleeping next to.
While rabbits can make great pets, these are usually bred for their fur and meat. They are very obedient and patient animals. They were bred as far back as the 16th century in Belgium. We just hope that as time goes on, these rabbits will get treated better by us.
The Giant African Snail
The giant African Snail or Ghana Tiger Snail is the largest among land gastropods. The largest snail ever recorded was 15.5 inches long and weighed 2 pounds. For reference, an average snail is less than 2 inches long.
The snail is also listed as one of the most invasive species in the world and the United States Department of Agriculture sees it as one of the biggest potential threats to agriculture and crops in the U.S. The average lifespan for one of these snails is between 5-7 years (although much longer in captivity) and their diet can consist of anything among 500 different species of plants!