What animal is way bigger than what the average person thinks it is?

 The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) holds the title for being much larger than many people realize. In fact, it is the largest animal on Earth, both in terms of length and weight. Here are some astounding facts about the size of blue whales:

1. **Length:** Blue whales can reach lengths of up to 100 feet (30 meters) or more. To put this into perspective, their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant, and their hearts, which are the size of a small car, can weigh several hundred pounds.

2. **Weight:** The average weight of a blue whale is around 200 tons (181 metric tonnes). However, some individuals have been recorded weighing as much as 199 tons (181 metric tonnes).

3. **Heartbeat:** Despite their massive size, blue whales have a relatively slow heartbeat, with an average rate of about 10 beats per minute. However, it can go as low as 4-8 beats per minute when they are diving.

4. **Tongue Size:** The tongue of a blue whale can weigh as much as 2.7 metric tons, roughly the size of a small car. Despite their enormous mouths, blue whales primarily feed on tiny shrimp-like animals called krill.

These incredible dimensions make blue whales larger than many dinosaurs and highlight the sheer magnitude of Earth's largest living creatures. Despite their immense size, blue whales are filter feeders that sustain themselves by consuming small, nutrient-rich organisms, and they are known for their relatively gentle and peaceful behavior.