The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever lived, reaching about 30 metres and 150 tonnes — larger than any dinosaur, with a heart roughly the size of a small car.

Marine biology (blue whale)

Science

Why it matters

The idea in context

It feeds almost entirely on krill, tiny shrimp-like creatures a few centimetres long, swallowing several tonnes a day. A newborn already weighs more than an adult elephant and gains around 90 kilograms a day on its mother's milk. The mightiest body the planet has produced is built, quietly, from some of its smallest animals.

Türkçe

Aynı kart, başka bir dilde.

Mavi balina, yaşadığı bilinen en büyük hayvandır: yaklaşık 30 metre boya ve 150 tona ulaşır — her dinozordan büyüktür ve kalbi neredeyse küçük bir otomobil büyüklüğündedir.

Neredeyse yalnızca birkaç santimlik, karidese benzer minik canlılar olan kril ile beslenir; günde birkaç ton yutar. Yeni doğmuş bir yavru daha o an yetişkin bir filden ağırdır ve annesinin sütüyle günde yaklaşık 90 kilo alır. Gezegenin ürettiği en heybetli beden, sessizce, en küçük hayvanlarından bazılarıyla kurulur.

Source trail

Read beyond the card.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), largest known animal; up to ~30 m and ~150 tonnes; feeds on krill. NOAA Fisheries.

Background reading: Blue whaleAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.
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