10 little-known and extremely large animals

Varying the size - a defining aspect of the diversity of animals in the natural world. Even close in mind the animal can vary greatly in size, thanks to a unique adaptation and constant pressure environment. We know large animals such as elephants and blue whales, the largest animals in earth's history. But what is surprising if we examine the huge specimens of animals that we used to represent small.

the six-foot ravenous minnow

Many children and even adults naturalists like to dive in streamside pools to catch minnows. Minnows are outstanding representatives of the family "tiddler", is a small two-inch fish. Aptly named Colorado pike-gudgeon - very aggressive "fish-eating", 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-gudgeon is an endangered species, faces significant threats from spoiling its habitat and changes in water flow. As a result, the program is now used to restore this species.

Huge centipedes

Millipedes can cause trembling, even the most daring naturalists. With plenty of leg and ferocious fangs, centipedes are elementary killing machines. When their attention is focused on the person, the consequences can be extremely painful. Its subspecies times Jurassic Scolopendra gigantean reaches a length up to 28 cm (12 inches). This huge creeping beast uses its powerful teeth for eating both insects and small vertebrates such as lizards. Since this animal is good control of pests, a person can be seriously injured by this potentially aggressive centipede. Few of the invertebrate on earth can boast of such a combination of size, strength and aggression bite as these fast-growing species.

The huge cancer

Cancers often called "biting at his heels." These freshwater lobster relatives are usually quite small and do not take 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 (seven feet) and a length of about one meter (3 feet), a giant arthropod prey in rivers Tasmania. This animal is waiting to seize their prey, and its bite can tear off a finger. Having a black carapace, creature merges with the rocky bottom of the river and it is not so easy to spot any predators or his victim. But do not worry, they are quite rare.

Wild gaur

Typically, herbivorous megafauna represented as a group of elephants, rhinoceros, and giraffes. However, one of the specific representatives of megafauna is an Indian bull. With growth under 3 meters (10 feet), gaur is really a giant animal, and the largest wild cow in the world. This massive creature with truly huge horns can break through the forests and fields of India, it is sometimes destroying and gardens. This species is threatened with extinction, although he is not afraid of the majority of threats and weighs up to 1600 kg (3500 pounds). Among the megafauna that is able to breach its way through tropical vegetation, only elephants, rhinos or giraffes are larger and higher. Gaur is more obedient than the African buffalo, but sometimes and human sacrifices. There was an incident when a tiger attacked gaura. Gaur, tiger literally ripped in half.

"Frog overgrown"

Frogs can sit in the palm, sing in the fishponds and, basically, they are charming and modest. They are small animals - or so we think they are. And take a trip towards the West and Central African swamps, and you will find a completely new frog that takes your fancy. Indeed huge frog Goliath can weigh up to 3 kg (7 pounds). This mega-frog often refrains from beetles in favor of the young turtles. Its preferred habitat is part chistovodnye fleeting rivers, they are going in the shallows, where you can catch prey. This view may be compared with a small dog in proportion with children. No other frog is not like this size, but the American bullfrog could compare with it in his extravagance, as young chicks eat.

The huge catfish

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

A giant salamander

Then the Japanese giant salamander has earned the reputation as the "water monster", the Chinese giant salamander is the largest amphibian on earth. She becomes restless if you violate its peace of wading through a swamp. It can haunt you until you realize 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), which makes the Chinese giant salamander largest freshwater today. Its production of a number of aquatic animals. Males are very "family" of creation, and aggressively guard the eggs until they hatch. Giant salamanders can emit sound "crying", they are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and poaching.

victoria crowned pigeon

victoria crowned pigeon is a famous bird-postman and is widely used by police agencies, while urban pigeons modest poultry. But the world's largest pigeon - really huge and unusual bird. Its name pays off: victoria crowned pigeon is like a New Guinea region has dazzling deep blue plumage and crest (the crown), like a peacock. The huge and highly decorative pigeon can reach a meter (3 feet) in length and weigh 3, 6 kg (8 pounds). 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 it is more than a way of life is reduced to living in trees.

The largest carnivore

The world's largest predator, the huge southern elephant can weigh incredible 5,000 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 are definitely not want to face the fanged predator, which is 70 times your weight. Males can weigh three times more than females, confirming their sexual supremacy. On the noses of these animals have a trunk, almost like an elephant, they may produce an incredible roar.

The largest seabird

Albatross is the largest seabird in the world. Of the 21 species of albatross worldwide, wandering albatross is the largest with a wingspan to 3 and 5 meters (11 feet) and weigh up to 13 kg (28 pounds). The combination of the weight of the wings on 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 have 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 there is no greater wingspan.