The Tallest Lifeforms Of All Time
Chat With Your XTutor About This Video Lesson
Lesson Article
The Science of Size: How Earthly Giants Defy Gravity
When it comes to size, the laws of physics dictate that if you doubled in size, your weight would be eight times greater. This is the challenge faced by tall creatures, as gravity’s pull keeps us all grounded. However, there are a few earthly giants that have managed to defy gravity and grow to impressive heights.
The Tallest Trees on Earth
The key to growing tall lies in how you use your energy. This is why the tallest trees outrank any animal on Earth. Trees dedicate all their energy to one task: growing taller than their neighbors. The two best growers among trees are the giant redwoods and mountain ashes. Redwoods are known as the tallest lifeforms on Earth, but some experts believe that mountain ashes could grow even taller if humans would stop cutting them down. In fact, the tallest mountain ash was just one meter shorter than the tallest redwood.
Size in the Animal Kingdom
Unlike plants, animals expend energy on a variety of tasks, such as eating, walking, and staying warm, which limits their growth. However, this doesn’t mean they’re small. For instance, if you measured an African elephant from shoulder to ground, it would actually be taller than a giraffe. But thanks to their long, strong necks, giraffes are the tallest animals alive. Looking at animals throughout Earth’s history, dinosaurs were the tallest of all. The towering sauropods were the biggest of the bunch, with the top ten list of tallest animals in history all being dinosaurs.
Longest Lifeforms on Earth
If we consider the longest lifeforms, the picture changes. A saltwater crocodile balanced on its nose would tie with a giraffe in height. Without considering legs, the green anaconda, measured tip-to-tail, nearly doubles the height of the tallest giraffe. However, these land-dwellers are dwarfed by sea life. Supported by water, sea creatures can practically ignore gravity, allowing them to grow much larger. The blue whale, for instance, is the most massive animal of all time. Its tongue alone could accommodate the entire cast of Broadway’s The Lion King. However, even the blue whale would need to be careful not to get tangled in the tentacles of a lion’s mane jellyfish, which makes the giant squid look small by comparison.
Humans in the Size Spectrum
So, where do humans fit into this size spectrum? Surprisingly, humans are larger than 87.6% of mammals on Earth, with the average Dutchman being the tallest of them all. Therefore, there’s no reason to ever feel small again, especially if you’re from the Netherlands.
The Longest Lifeform of All Time
Interestingly, the longest lifeform of all time isn’t a plant or animal at all. It’s a honey fungus, with the largest one stretching for 3.8 kilometers underneath a forest in Oregon.
Discussion Questions
- How do the laws of physics explain the challenge faced by tall creatures in defying gravity?
- What is the key factor that allows trees to grow taller than any animal on Earth?
- Which two types of trees are known to be the best growers in terms of height?
- In what way do animals differ from trees in terms of energy expenditure and growth limitation?
- Which animal is actually taller than a giraffe when measured from shoulder to ground?
- Among all the animals in history, which group ranks as the tallest?
- How do sea creatures differ from land-dwellers in terms of growth potential and gravity?
- How do humans compare to other mammals in terms of size, and which nationality is known to be the tallest?
Lesson Vocabulary
Size – The physical dimensions or magnitude of an object or living being. – The size of the new television is much larger than the old one.
Laws of physics – The fundamental principles that describe the behavior of matter and energy in the universe. – The laws of physics govern the motion of planets in our solar system.
Gravity – The force that attracts two objects with mass towards each other. – The apple fell from the tree due to the force of gravity.
Tall creatures – Living beings that have a greater height compared to others in their species or environment. – Giraffes are known for being tall creatures with long necks.
Earthly giants – Colossal beings that exist on Earth and are notably larger than average. – The blue whale is considered one of the earthly giants due to its massive size.
Trees – Perennial plants with a substantial woody trunk, branches, and leaves. – The forest is filled with beautiful trees of various species.
Redwoods – Tall and durable coniferous trees native to the coastal areas of California and Oregon. – The towering redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument are a sight to behold.
Mountain ashes – Trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Sorbus, often found in mountainous regions. – The mountain ashes were adorned with clusters of bright red berries.
Animals – Living organisms that move, consume organic matter, and exhibit various behaviors. – The zoo is home to a vast variety of animals, including lions, tigers, and bears.
African elephant – A large species of elephant native to Africa, characterized by its enormous size and distinctive ears. – The African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth.
Giraffe – An African mammal known for its long neck, long legs, and distinctive coat pattern. – The giraffe gracefully walked across the savannah, towering over the other animals.
Share This Lesson:
- Categories: Earth & Space Science, TED Ed, Video Lessons
- Keywords: African elephant, animals, earthly giants, giraffe, gravity, laws of physics, mountain ashes, redwoods, size, tall creatures, trees
