10 little-known and extremely large animals

Varying sizes - a defining aspect of the diversity of animals in the natural world. Even close in mind animals can vary greatly in size, due to the unique adaptation and constant pressure environment. We know the big animals such as elephants or blue whales, the largest animals in the history of the earth. But what would be a surprise if we examine the huge specimens of animals that we are used to represent small.

10. The six-foot predatory minnow





Many children and even adults love naturalists dive into streamside pools to catch minnows. Minnows are outstanding representatives of the family "tiddler", which are small two-inch fish. Aptly named the Colorado pike minnow-- very aggressive "fish-eater", which can reach colossal 1, 8 meters (6 feet) in length. Compared with other types of minnows, the giant fish with huge jaws is really a big fish in a small pond. It can weigh up to 35 kilograms (80 pounds). Pike minnow is an endangered species, is facing serious threats from spoiling its habitat and changes in water flows. As a result, now applied this type of recovery program.

9. Huge centipedes



Centipedes can cause trembling, even the most daring naturalists. With plenty of leg and ferocious fangs, centipedes are elementary killing machines. When they focus on the person, the consequences can be extremely painful. ITS subspecies of the Jurassic period Scolopendra gigantean reaches a length of up to 28 cm (12 inches). This huge creeping animal uses its powerful teeth for eating insects and small vertebrates such as lizards. Since it is well-controlled animal pests, a person can be seriously injured this potentially aggressive centipede. Few of invertebrates on earth can boast such a combination of size, strength and aggression bite as these fast-growing species.

8. Huge cancer



Cancers are often called "biting at your heels." These freshwater lobster relatives are usually quite small and not taken seriously. However, the giant Tasmanian cancer, which is sometimes called the river lobster, huge size - the largest freshwater invertebrate. However, you should take care to preserve this amazing endangered species. With up to 3 kg (7 feet) and a length of about one meter (3 feet), it's a giant arthropod hunts in the rivers of Tasmania. This animal is waiting to capture its prey, and its bite can tear off a finger. Having a black shell, being merged with a rocky bottom of rivers and it is not so easy to see any predators or his victim. But do not worry, they are quite rare.

7. Wild gaur



As a rule, herbivorous megafauna represented as a group consisting of elephants, rhinos and giraffes. However, one of the most specific representatives of megafauna is an Indian bull. With the growth of under 3 meters (10 feet), gaur is really a giant animal, and the largest wild cow in the world. This massive creature with a truly enormous horns can burst through the woods and fields of India, while sometimes destroying and gardens. This species is threatened with extinction, although he is not afraid of most threats and weighs up to 1600 kg (3500 lb). Among megafauna, which can breach its way through tropical vegetation, only elephants, rhinos or giraffes are more and more. Gaur is more manageable than the African buffalo, but sometimes and casualties. There was a case when a tiger attacked gaura. Gaur literally ripped in half tiger.

6. "Frog overgrown»



Frogs can sit in the palm, sing in fish ponds, and, basically, they are charming and modest. They are small animals - or so we believe them. And take a trip in the marshes of West and Central Africa, and you will find a completely new frog that takes your fancy. Really huge Goliath frog can weigh up to 3 kg (7 lbs). This mega-frog often refrains from beetles in favor of the young turtles. Its preferred habitat is part chistovodnye fleeting rivers, they gather in the shallows, where you can catch prey. This species can be compared with a small dog in the proportion of children. No other frog is not like this size, but the American bullfrog can compare with it in its extravagance, as young chicks eat.

5. Huge catfish



Normal catfish grows to 3 meters (9 feet) in length, some European estimates say that inhabited the soma and up to 5 meters (16 feet), but overfishing takes its toll. This giant predator accused of killing people. Catfish can easily swallow a duck, but it is said that people have found and swallowed. Unlike the giant catfish shilbovogo, which is the largest documented views soms, it is safe for people - but he himself threatened by overfishing. Mekong giant catfish is part of the so-called "shark family soms," and it is as large as the more aggressive South American catfish.

4. Giant Salamander



Whereas Japanese giant salamander has earned the reputation of "water monster", the Chinese giant salamander is the largest amphibian on earth. She becomes restless if you violate its peace, wading through a swamp. It can haunt you until you understand that you - not the food, then you can consider yourself safe. Her tiny eyes give way to a more powerful sense of smell, its length is 1, 8 meters (6 feet), making the Chinese giant salamander largest freshwater today. Its production is a series of aquatic animals. Males are very "family" of creation, and aggressively guard the eggs until they hatch not. Giant salamanders can emit "crying", they are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and poaching.

3. Victoria crowned pigeon



Victoria crowned pigeon is a famous bird-postman and is widely used by police services, while urban pigeons modest birds. But the world's largest pigeon - really huge and unusual bird. Its name justifies itself: Victoria crowned pigeon is like from the region of New Guinea, has a dazzling dark blue plumage and crest (the crown) as a peacock. A huge and highly decorative pigeon can reach a meter (3 feet) in length and weigh 3 to 6 kg (8 lbs). This bird is almost three times greater than its urban counterparts. Its diet consists mainly of fruits, nuts and berries. Although he can fly, his flight skills are not as high as in other pigeons, so the ego lifestyle more reduced to living in trees.

2. The biggest carnivore



The world's largest predator, the huge southern elephant can weigh incredible 5000 kg (11,000 pounds) and reach a length of over 6 meters (22 feet). Fortunately, this species is adapted to eat sea food, and people are not considered them as dinner. However, the reasons for concern still exist, you're definitely do not want to face the fanged predator, which is 70 times more than your weight. Males can weigh three times more than females, confirming their sexual superiority. Noses at these animals have a trunk, almost like an elephant, they may issue an incredible roar.

1. The largest seabird



Albatross is the largest seabird in the world. Of the 21 species of albatross around the world, wandering albatross is the largest with a wingspan of up to 3, 5 meters (11 feet) and weighing up to 13 kg (28 lbs). The combination of weight on these wings has the effect of natural glider. In fact, the gliders can be considered as designed in the image of an albatross. This king of sea birds learned to use their body weight for instant take-off. It is believed that this species can overcome 6000 kilometers (3728 miles) in just 12 days. Birds of prey and feed at night, such as squid or fish surface. None of the birds is no greater wingspan.

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