A Friendly Giant
While being one of the oldest documented breeds of horses, the Ardennes horses are believed to have originated from the land of Ardennes in Europe, an area that spans between the countries of France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
Throughout human history and even prehistoric times, references to the Ardennes horse can be found during the different ages of man. These animals have earned praises from kings, emperors, and warriors for their strength, size, and reliability. Weighing in between 1,500 and 2,200 pounds, a fully grown Ardennes horse today can set you back almost $4,800.
Did You Know Polar Bears Are Actually Black?
Finally, after teasing our readers for a large portion of this article, it's the polar bear's turn! Although climate change is generally understood to be the most significant risk to species like the polar bears' survival, the future looks increasingly bleak for arctic species. That's because oil and gas companies turn towards the arctic regions for drilling and exploration, which will inevitably destroy wildlife habitats.
On a lighter note (literally), the polar bear is not white, contrary to popular opinion. Its fur is translucent, making it appear white in daylight due to reflected light. Peel away all that fur, and the polar bear's skin is actually jet black.
Don't Be A Buzzkill, Please
When it comes to hornets, the Asian giant 'murder' hornet is enormous, with its maximum size exceeding two inches. In Japan alone, the annual death toll from the excruciating hornet sting is estimated to be between 30 to 50 people.
Although the insect is generally not aggressive towards humans or other mammals, it can be vicious if provoked. Moreover, its venom's power isn't really what's often fatal for humans. The massive poisonous dosage that can be administered in a single sting due to the 'murder' hornet's large size is what's deadly.
That Is One Tall Horse!
At the height of between 16 and 17 hands, the Belgian horse is one of the biggest horses in history. With their weight that can reach up to 2,800 pounds and muscular build, Belgian Drafts are suited for heavy work like pulling carriages.
In the old days, these horses were used to transport wooden logs and tree trunks before the logging industry became motorized. The largest Belgian horse, the Brooklyn Supreme, weighed in at 3,200 pounds and had incredible strength and valor. Fun Fact: The Belgian breed holds the world record for the tallest living horse at 210 cm and the most expensive horse ever purchased, at $112,500.
Rest In Peace, Champ
After his mother got killed by a car, Patrick the Wombat was taken to a wildlife shelter. He was scheduled to be released in the wild, but it didn't go as planned since he got attacked by wild wombats three times. Patrick was subsequently domesticated at a zoo and even made appearances in tourism shows and the Parliament House.
With over 68,000 fans on Facebook, he was clearly loved by all. Hundreds of fans even physically showed up for his 31st birthday in 2016. Sadly, Patrick passed away the following year at the age of 32 and was believed to be the oldest bare-nosed wombat ever.
The Brock Lesnar Of Bears
Roaming across the vast, uninhabited forests of Alaska, Canada, China, Europe, and Russia, the brown bear is a massive species of bear capable of reaching between 300 and 900 pounds of weight, depending on the subspecies, season, age, and gender.
All brown bears have strong, muscular backs and shoulders and huge paws with razor-sharp claws up to 2 inches in length, making them very powerful diggers. Despite their mammoth build, these animals can still run up to 31 mph in short bursts, which is one scary sight no one would want to behold.
Curb Your Overeating
Although this might be a lap dog, we're unsure if any of us would want this 100-pound dumbbell unloading in our laps any time soon. While adding to the adorable look, all that weight suggests that this pup needs to go on a diet ASAP.
Statistically speaking, dogs that are obese tend to live a very short life compared to their healthier counterparts. According to a WebMD study involving 50,000 dogs, doctors found that the average life of an overweight dog was as much as 2.5 years shorter than normal-weight dogs of the same breed.
The 'Absolute Unit' Sheep
First bred in the 19th century in Exmoor, Devon, United Kingdom, the Exmoor Horn sheep is of medium size and are mostly white and horned. Although their fleece is of good quality but medium quantity, the sheep in the photo does indeed look like it has not had a trim in quite a few years.
With a small frame and tiny legs, coupled with an extremely stocky build and an outrageous volume of fleece, this particular sheep started the 'absolute unit' sheep meme. Memes of this kind became so popular that Elon Musk even hired its creator, Adam Koszary, to run Tesla's social media team.
Such A Good Boy
Having a big dog in the house has its perks, but it sure has its challenges too. Can you imagine how much dog treats they would eat in a single meal or how hard it would be for them to fit in the tub for a bath?
While the Great Dane is widely accepted as the largest dog breed, other breeds like the Irish Wolfhound, Caucasian Shepherd, and Dogue de Bordeaux are also some of the world's biggest. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Freddy the Great Dane holds the record for the tallest dog. Sadly, the 3'4" pooch passed away at eight-and-a-half years old in 2021.
Kitty With A Fashion Sense
Wow, isn't this the cutest cat ever? While some of us like small kittens or poodles for their adorable pocket-sized build, which also makes them easy to care for, this cat's charm trumps any reservations we may have regarding its chunky size.
Its perfectly round face and expression just screams kitty cat, and what about the trendy sweater it's wearing? That is one fashionable feline right there, folks. For those that want to go the extra mile to make their furry pet feel pampered, Louis Vuitton has a complete line of designer collars, carrying cases, and blankets to have your cat feeling like Kate Moss!
Is It A Wolf? Is It A Dog? Is It A Wolfdog?
Although this dog looks quite scary because of its size, his story is actually heartbreaking. Being a mixed breed of a wolf and a dog, he grew too big for most dog-owners and was subsequently abandoned at a shelter, looking for a new home and owner.
Mixed breeds of wolves and domesticated dogs (usually a Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, or German Shepherd) are considered desirable and cool. However, caring for wolfdogs can be tricky due to their wild nature, vaccination complications, and predatory instincts. Following the depiction of domesticated wolfdogs in the HBO series Game of Thrones, adoption rates worldwide increased but so did the number of abandoned wolf puppies.
Blosom For the Win!
Featured in the 2016 edition of Guinness World Records, Blosom is the tallest cow in the world at 6'4". As can be seen in the photos, the black and white cow towers over its peers. She broke the previous world record of Mount Katahdin by 0.8 inches, a record that had been unbeaten for almost a century.
Despite her newfound fame and world record, Blosom enjoyed her humble farm life in Orangeville, Illinois, and was happy with life as long as she had had her daily share of oats and belly rubs. Sadly, Blosom perished in 2015 at the age of 13 due to a fatal leg injury.
That Does Not Look Like A Housecat
The Maine Coon is the official state cat of the U.S. state of Maine and is one of North America's oldest natural cat breeds. Due to their hunting skills, they were used for hunting mice aboard ships and on farms during the early 19th century.
Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red, a.k.a. Leo, is a Main Coon that held the 2006 Guinness World Record for the longest cat. The purebred domestic cat reached up to 40 inches, including the tail. Recently, though, a Main Coon from Italy named Barivel beat Leo's record at 47.25 inches.
This Toad Is Definitely As Dangerous As It Looks
With their maximum size reaching almost ten inches, the Cane toad is one of the largest species of toad in the world. Used in war tactics by local Colombian tribes like the Choco Indians that coat their weapons with Cane toad venom, their poison can be a deadly hallucinogen.
As a native of South and mainland Central America, the Cane toad was also exported to Australia from Hawaii in 1935 to help protect their crops from beetles. In recent years, this species has wreaked havoc in Northern Australia by spreading uncontrollably from Cairns in Queensland and traveling to the Kimberley region in Western Australia.
Do Waterproof Cats Really Exist?
This giant housecat is named Chronos, after the three-headed Greek god, and it belongs to the Norwegian Forest cat breed. Brought to Europe by the Vikings in the 11th century, it is a very popular housecat in regions like France, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark.
Due to the extremely cold and wet nature of its native land, the Norwegian Forest cat has a double-layered coat of fur that deflects water and liquids. This shiny, waterproof long hair coat, coupled with their inner layer of thick fur, allows the cat to thrive in the unforgiving and harsh Scandinavian climate.
The Incredible Hulk
Say hello to my little friend, ahem, well, not so little actually. In fact, Hulk is the world's biggest pitbull and was trained to be a guard dog. Weighing in at 174 pounds, Hulk recently fathered eight offsprings, all of whom are individually trained by an officer from Dark Dynasty K9s.
While Hulk himself is estimated to be worth half a million dollars, many of his puppies, estimated to be with $55,000 each, have already been sold by their New Hampshire owners Marlon and Lisa. In 2019, Hulk's grandfather, General, tragically passed away after being attacked by younger dogs earlier in June 2018.
Arctic Squirrels Can Survive Months Without Food
Although squirrels have gotten a bad rep and are considered a tomato-stealing, attic dwelling nuisance, they are actually a harmless and, at times, very entertaining animal species. With over 270 different breeds and over 50 generations spread across the world, chances are you are bound to find a squirrel roaming around, be it a harsh arctic region or a bustling city center.
For storing and hunting food, squirrels have multiple caches, excellent vision, and can even smell food buried under a foot of snow. According to a recent study, arctic squirrels can recycle their bodies' nutrients during hibernation to survive without food for almost eight months.
Take This Cat Back To The Jungle!
Now we digress; it is a stretch to compare the two animals, given that the domestic cat, unlike the big jungle cat, has no black stripes or razor-sharp claws to tear apart raw flesh. However, it is undeniable that the resemblance in these photos (stripes notwithstanding) is truly uncanny.
Given that both cats and tigers belong to the same Felidae family of animals, they are highly capable hunters and enjoy a carnivorous diet. They also have the same bodily organ structure and blood circulation system. Cats and tigers share 95.6% of their DNA, which is probably why they have such an uncanny resemblance.
This Sheep Really Needs A Barber
As a native of South Island, New Zealand, Shrek belonged to the Merino breed of sheep. Typically, they are popular for their coat of fur and are thus sheared annually. In Shrek's case, though, he somehow managed to escape the shredding knife for six straight years.
Upon being discovered in 2004, Shrek became an internet sensation for the ball of fur covering his whole body that's enough to make suits for 20 fully grown men. As a TV personality, Shrek inspired many children's books and charities. But sad news came in 2011 when Shrek passed away at 16 years old, with thousands of fans mourning his death.
Do You Even Lift Bro?
Let's face it, coming across a tiger can be a very traumatic and bone-chilling experience. Now imagine being hunted by a tiger whose biceps and triceps are as muscular as this heavyweight! It looks like someone has been hitting the gym and pumping some serious iron.
With their muscular, solid build reaching up to 3.3 meters and weighing up to 670 pounds, even a punch from a tiger is sometimes enough to kill a human being. On the other hand, tiger saliva is an antiseptic. But don't go sticking your bruised arm in a tiger's mouth; you might not get it back in one piece!
This Giant Rabbit Could Almost Be Mistaken For A Dog
With their length reaching up to 2.5 feet and their maximum bodyweight to 22 pounds, the Flemish Giant rabbit is a big boy indeed, and one of the biggest rabbit breeds out there. If cared for properly, these animals can be great pets and are absolutely adorable due to their calm and docile nature.
As an old breed of domesticated rabbits, the Flemish Giants are believed to have originated from Europe and have their first written accounts dating back to 1893, when they were imported to the United States from England and Belgium. In April 2021, the world's largest rabbit, Darius, was reported stolen from his enclosure in Stoulton, Worcestershire.
An Almost Human-Sized Mattress For A Bulldog
With their wrinkled faces, sloppy cheeks, and saddened expressions, bulldogs are instantly recognizable and make excellent pets due to their unwavering loyalty to their owners. Although bulldog sizes can range from 40 to 50 pounds, this one is just massive. No wonder he has a human-sized bed to sleep in!
Bulldogs are especially adorable (and sometimes annoying) due to their tendencies to bark at apparently nothing. They can also be hard to please due to their stubborn and diva-like nature. In February 2021, pop star Lady Gaga had her two bulldogs stolen, but Los Angeles police recovered them within 48 hours. Unfortunately, her dog walker got shot by the suspects.
Supersized Winnie The Pooh
Along with their extraordinary intelligence, bears also have impeccable memories and are even better navigators than humans. Their excellent eyesight, combined with a superior sense of smell and hearing, makes them great hunters and predators.
Bears have extreme levels of compassion and emotions for family and risk their own lives to save their siblings from danger. If a family member passes away, bears are known to cry, moan and grieve deeply for weeks. The biggest species of bears include the brown bear and polar bears, with their average weights reaching up to 900 and 1,500 pounds, respectively.
No One Would Ever Want To Come Across This Black Bear
If you thought the brown bear in the previous photo looked menacing and downright scary, think again. This giant black bear seems like it's ready to get straight to business, and that's the kind of business we don't want to get in the way of. Although bear attacks are uncommon, they don't usually attack unless provoked in the first place.
When it comes to bears, the black bear is generally the most feared due to its aggressive nature. Although they might look menacing and bloodthirsty, only 61 people across North America are recorded to have been killed by a black bear since 1900.
Aye Aye, Captain!
We feel bad for the boat owner, but at the same time, we can't help but marvel at the two sea lions having the time of their lives. This video of the two partying aboard the ill-fated boat went viral back in 2019, with the vessel eventually ending up in the sea.
Being powerful swimmers, sea lions can reach up to 20 miles an hour in the sea due to their muscular flippers. The front flippers of a sea lion are used for swimming, while the rear flippers are used for steering. Weirdly enough, it reminds us of a forklift, with its front-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering.
God Save The Queen
Is it just us, or does this cat seem like a royal queen or princess wearing a fur coat around their neck? Everyone loves this particular breed of cat, known as the Himalayan cat, for its quiet, friendly nature and loving companionship. These cats love to play and are highly energetic like kittens when it's time to have fun.
Although Himalayan cats seem pretty oversized at first glance, it is actually their massive fur and large bones that contribute to this perception. For proper care, they require regular bathing and brushing, along with regular exercise with toys like balls and fake mice.
Wrong Turn In The Woods
Imagine coming face to face with a mountain lion during a nice morning stroll in the woods. If you aren't already dead from the impending heart attack, we're sure its razor-sharp fangs and claws tearing at your flesh will be the last thing you'll ever see.
Despite their poor sense of smell, mountain lions have excellent 20/20 vision and extraordinary strength. Contrary to popular belief, mountain lions can't roar due to a difference in their larynx and hyoid bone. Instead, they either growl, purr or hiss when they have company.
That’s One Cell?
As the largest single-cell organism in the world, every individual ball of bubble algae is one cell that can reach up to 5 inches in diameter. Its scientific name is Valonia ventricosa, and it is found in the oceans and seas of tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Although its outer membrane is composed of cellulose like other plants, the crystals are arranged in a unique pattern, giving the bubble algae its shiny appearance. Biologists and electrophysiologists extensively research these organisms due to their sizeable nucleic structure. But despite over 2,000 published scientific papers, their anatomical properties and functions remain a mystery.
Is That A Male? Is That A Female? How About Both
The Giant African snail, a member of the Achatinidae family, is an enormous land snail subspecies. They were originally found in the East African region but can now be found pretty much all over the world. They prefer humid climates with plenty of plants, so they are primarily present in coastal areas, tropical rainforests, and agricultural lands.
The Giant African snail is known to grow up to a massive eight-inch size, and as a vegetarian, it can feed on 500 various types of plants. They are hermaphrodites, which means they are both male and female at the same time.
Nothing To See Here, Just A Dog Handling -76 Degrees Like A Boss
Have you ever wondered why an Alaskan Malamute always lies down with his front legs tucked underneath? Although admittedly, we don't know the answer either, if we were to guess, it would probably be something along the lines of the dog trying to stay warm in the cold climate.
But according to experts, Alaskan Malamutes love cold, harsh conditions. Whether it's a snowstorm, hail, or ice, their thick dual-layer coat of fur allows these dogs to thrive in conditions other species would find challenging. In fact, the Malamute can handle below-freezing temperatures as low as -76 degrees Fahrenheit!
Where Ya Goin' Mate?
With long necks, powerful limbs, and a strong tail, the monitor lizard can grow from an average size of 7.9 inches, all the way up to 10-feet in the case of the Komodo dragon. Some could even go up to 122 inches! Though predominantly carnivores, their diet can vary from eggs, birds, and insects to fish, small reptiles, and small mammals, depending on their location.
The monitor lizard is most commonly found in tropical regions like Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Their name is derived from their extraordinary eyesight and sense of smell, enabling them to observe their surroundings by standing on their hind legs to look for predators.
Somebody's Had Way Too Much For Dinner
Dubbed the Gentle Giant, the manatee is a sea animal believed to have inspired the old folklore of mermaids. These giant elephant-like mammals generally don't leave the water and only surface for oxygen before plunging back into the watery abyss for up to 20-minute intervals.
Although most manatees like resting in the water, we think this particular manatee might have had a bit too much rest recently or has had way too much to eat. That's because manatees can consume up to 10% of their total body weight in food every day. No wonder this guy looks like he's eaten a whole week's worth of food in one go!
The Boss Is In The Chicken Coop
That is one alpha-male rooster right there. In the social hierarchy of chickens, there is always an established pecking order, which means certain individuals in the flock are given preferential treatment. In 1904, Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe discovered that the ranking and pecking order is set after squabbles over food during the first few days.
In the Norwegian zoologist's observations, it was noted that the alpha chickens and roosters had certain privileges like access to water and food before the others. In a mixed-gender flock, the male roosters generally tend to showcase their dominance and thus lead and watch over 10 to 15 hens.
Can Food Stick To My Face?
Ever wonder why geckos can walk upside down, while some can also fly from one place to another and in some cases change color? The most impressive trait of geckos is their ability to stick to any surface, including a damp, smooth area. This is due to their adhesive toes, lined with fibrillar strands, which enable them to cling to surfaces.
However, this oversized gecko seems like it hasn't hit the gym in decades and has been chilling with Netflix and a bucket of KFC chicken. Fun Fact: The 6.5 million setae or small hair strands on a gecko's toes create enough force to support the weight of two humans.
Can Someone Please Pamper Me With A Grooming?
Wow, this trio certainly looks identical to Pumba from The Lion King, albeit oversized and out of shape, with spindly legs. Unlike their depiction in the fictional film, where they seem obsessed with worms and bugs, in reality, warthogs are vegetarians who graze on plants, bark, berries, and grass.
Some weird habits of warthogs include entering their burrows backwards, trotting with their tails erect, and munching on food with their front legs bent. Primarily found in the deserts and other regions of Africa, warthogs love to be groomed and are even known to have hung out with other mammals like mongoose and vervet monkeys, who groomed their bodies and hair.
Sorry, Fat Fred Is Not Pregnant
This cat is so overweight that he is regularly mistaken for being pregnant. A native of Harvey, Louisiana, Fat Fred is almost three times as big as your average cat. Weighing in at 28 pounds, he likes to be fed and have his hips scratched all day long.
Adopted by local vet Marcia Riedel, Fat Fred prefers to spend most of his time at her workplace, roaming around and greeting newcomers at the Furry Friends Animal Hospital. Recently, Fred became an online sensation after photos of him sitting alongside hilarious signs explaining his obesity and living situation went viral on social media.
Hollywood's "Acting" Dogs
Capable of hauling heavy loads and weathering the coldest of climates, the Alaskan Malamute is a dog with a wolf-like appearance but has a softer and friendlier face. With its thick double coat of fur and dense bone structure, this breed of dog is built for endurance rather than speed, making it perfect for dog sleds.
Bred by the Mahlemuts, an Inuit tribe in Alaska, the Malamute is a loyal, brave and strong-willed dog who can be man's perfect partner in the wilderness. Two malamutes, Saffron and Kira, played the lead roles of Balto and Togo in the 2019 Hollywood movie The Great Alaskan Race.
The Backpack Kitty
While it is common to wear a backpack on the front while driving a motorbike in certain countries in South East Asia, this cute cat could almost pass for a furry, front-worn bag itself!
Interestingly enough, this cat is quite the celebrity as well. With more than 500k followers on Instagram, it can put some real-life celebrities' social media presence to shame. Known as Bone Bone, the Persian cat lives in Thailand and weighs 20 pounds. According to the recent YouTube videos on her channel, Bone Bone likes to be chauffeured around in style with a baby stroller.
As Tall As A House
Although it does not technically qualify as an animal, a large, handbuilt snowman the size of a home is still an adorable achievement, right? We wonder how many people (and painstaking hours) it would have taken to build this delightfully plump teddy snowman.
While most of us have fantasized about building a snowman during our childhood years (or as adults, no judgment here), others have taken it way too far. In February 2020, locals in Donnersbachwald, Austria, broke the 2008 world record when they built Reisi The Snowman, a 38.04-meter gigantic ice figure.