Blue Whale Size Explained & Compared With Others

Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Amin Tawar

Blue Whale Length

Blue Whale Size
Blue Whale Size Explained & Compared With Others

Blue Whales are known for their distinctive blue-gray color and long, slender bodies. Despite their massive size, blue whales are relatively slender and streamlined, which helps them swim at speeds of up to 50 km/h. 

They are also one of the loudest animals on the planet, producing calls that can be heard over long distances in the ocean.

The average length of a blue whale is about 20–21 meters (66–69 ft) for males and about 21–23 meters (69–75 ft) longer for females. 

The maximum length that a blue whale can reach is about 100 feet (30 meters), although this is relatively rare and most blue whales are smaller.

Blue whaleLength
Average sizeMale: 20–21 meters (66–69 ft)
Female: 21–23 meters (69–75 ft)
Maximum size100 feet (30 meters)

Blue Whale Weight

These massive creatures are found in all of the world’s oceans, but they are most commonly found in the Arctic and the Antarctic. 

Despite their enormous size, blue whales are known for being very gentle and non-aggressive, and they feed on small crustaceans called krill.

If we look closely at their average weight, it is almost about 150 tons. While the maximum weight that they can achieve is as heavy as 199 tonnes (196 long tons; 219 short tons). 

As a result, Blue whales are known to have a very large appetite, as they need to consume a large amount of food to support their massive size.

Tiger SharkWeight 
Average size150 tons (300,000 lbs)
Maximum size199 tonnes (196 long tons; 219 short tons)

Blue Whale Heart Size

You might have wondered how large could be the internal organs of such a massive whale, like its heart. 

The blue whale is known for having the largest heart of any animal on Earth. A blue whale’s heart can weigh as much as 1,300 pounds, and it is about the size of a small car. 

The enormous size of the heart of the Blue whale is necessary to pump blood throughout the whale’s massive body, and it also helps to maintain a steady blood flow to the whale’s brain when it dives to great depths. 

The blue whale’s aorta, or main blood vessel, is also very large, and it is so big that a full-grown human could crawl through it. 1

Blue Whale Litter Size

Adult Blue whales also reproduce like other species, and they give birth to baby blue whales, but do you know how many blue whales are born at a time? 

Blue whales typically give birth to a single calf, although twins have been reported on rare occasions. 

Baby Blue Whale Size

Now that we know the litter size of blue whales, it would be quite interesting to know the size of these small ones and compare it with their adult counterparts. 

Baby blue whales, also known as calves, are born at a size of about 23 – 25 feet long and weigh around 5,000 to 6,000 pounds. 

They are the largest mammals on Earth at birth, and they grow very quickly, gaining about 200 pounds per day during the nursing period. 

Moreover, after weaning, blue whale calves are typically left to fend for themselves and will join a group of other young blue whales. 

As they grow, blue whales continue to increase in size, and they can reach lengths of up to 80-100 feet and weigh up to 200 tons as adults. 

Blue Whale Size Comparison To Human

Blue Whale Size compared to human
Blue Whale Size Explained & Compared With Others

Knowing the individual size of the Blue whale could make it quite confusing to imagine and appreciate the massive size of the Blue whale. One of the ways to do so is to compare the Blue whale with known species such as us!

As said earlier, Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, and they are significantly larger than humans. 

An adult blue whale can reach lengths of up to 66-75ft and weigh up to 200 tons, while the average human is about 5-6 feet tall and weighs around 132-176 pounds (60-80 kg). 

Blue whales are also much taller than humans, as they have broad, streamlined bodies that can be up to 50 feet wide at their widest point. 

Animal type Length Weight 
Antarctic blue whale 66-75 ft400,000 pounds (200 tons)
Average adult human 5.5 to 5.9 feet132 to 176 pounds (60 to 80 kgs)

Blue Whale Size Comparison With Elephant

As said, Blue Whales are the largest sea animals, while the very well known land giants, the elephants are not less. Blue whales are much larger than elephants, which are the largest land animals on Earth. 

An adult blue whale can reach lengths of up to 66-75 ft and weigh up to 200 tons, while the average adult elephant is about 8.2 to 13 feet (2.5 to 4 meters) tall at the shoulder and weighs around 1,800 and 6,300 kg (2 and 7 tons/ 4,000 and 14,000 lb.). 

In terms of their length Blue whales are also much taller than elephants, they can reach up to 50 feet wide at their widest point.

Animal type Length Weight 
Antarctic blue whale 66-75 ft400,000 pounds (200 tons)
Elephant 8.2 to 13 feet (2.5 to 4 meters) 1,800 and 6,300 kg (2 and 7 tons/ 4,000 and 14,000 lb.)

Blue Whale Size Compared To Megalodon

Blue Whale Size compared with megalodon
Blue Whale Size Explained & Compared With Others

Megalodon was a species of shark that lived millions of years ago and was one of the largest predatory sharks to ever exist. 

It is thought to have been significantly larger than the modern-day great white shark, with estimates of its size ranging from 44 to 56 feet (13-17 m) in length and a weight of 50 tons. 

In comparison, blue whales are the largest animals on Earth and are much larger than Megalodon. 

An adult blue whale can reach lengths of up to 66-75 ft and weigh up to 200 tons. 

To put the size difference into perspective, if a blue whale were laid out end to end, it would be about the same length as three school buses, or about the length of a football field including the end zones. 

Animal type Length Weight 
Antarctic blue whale 66-75 ft400,000 pounds (200 tons)
Megalodon44 to 56 feet (13-17 m)50 tons

Blue Whale Size Comparison To Football Field & School Bus

Blue Whale Size compared with school bus
Blue Whale Size Explained & Compared With Others

Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, and they are significantly larger than a football field or a school bus. 

An adult blue whale can reach lengths of up to 80-100 feet and weigh up to 200 tons, while a football field including the end zones is about 110 yards long, or about 330 feet. 

Moreover, a school bus is typically about 25-50 feet long. To put the size difference into perspective, if a blue whale were laid out end to end, it would be about the same length as three school buses, or about the length of a football field including the end zones. 

Animal type Length Weight 
Antarctic blue whale 66-75 ft400,000 pounds (200 tons)
Football field 110 yards long, or about 330 feet
School bus 25-50 feet 

Conclusion

And that was everything you need to know about the size of the Blue Whale. I hope this article was informative enough and your queries were answered.

Thank You For Reading!

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