What is the largest mammal in the world?

The blue whale is recognized as the largest mammal in the world, and it holds the title of the largest animal to have ever existed on Earth. Adult blue whales can reach lengths of up to 100 feet (approximately 30 meters) and can weigh as much as 200 tons. This immense size is attributed to their unique adaptations for living in aquatic environments, allowing them to efficiently feed on small shrimp-like creatures called krill, which they consume in large quantities.

In comparison, while elephants are the largest land mammals, they do not come close to matching the size of blue whales. Giraffes, while tall and unique in their long necks, are also much smaller than blue whales. The great white shark, though a formidable predator in the ocean, is a fish and not a mammal, which excludes it from consideration in this context. Therefore, the blue whale's remarkable size and classification cement its status as the largest mammal in the world.