How Much Does a Blue Whale’s Tongue Weigh?

Blue whales are the largest creatures on Earth weighing up to 200 tons (181 metric tons), and a blue whale’s tongue weighs over two tons (2000 kg) or approximately the same weight as an elephant. The large mammal mainly eats krill, a sea creature similar to shrimp, and has been found to consume up to 4 tons (3.6 metric tons) of krill per day. In addition to being the largest mammal, blue whales are the loudest--the noises they use to communicate with one another have been found to travel over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) and measure 188 decibels, louder than a jet.

More about the blue whale:

• There are only around 9,000 blue whales in existence and the species is considered endangered after an estimated 360,000 were slaughtered from 1900 through the 1960s.
• The blue whale’s heart is around the size of a small car.
• At birth, the blue whale weighs around 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) and gains weight at a rate of around 200 pounds (91 kilograms) each day until it reaches the age of one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a blue whale's tongue weigh?

A blue whale's tongue is incredibly massive, weighing as much as an elephant—around 2.7 metric tons (or 5,952 pounds). This weight is proportional to the blue whale's overall body size, as they are the largest animals on Earth, with some tongues reaching up to 3 meters in length.

Can a blue whale's tongue fit multiple people on it?

Yes, a blue whale's tongue is so large that it could comfortably accommodate several people. Its vast size and strength are necessary for the whale's unique filter-feeding mechanism, which involves taking in huge volumes of water teeming with small marine organisms.

How does the weight of a blue whale's tongue compare to its overall body weight?

While a blue whale's tongue is exceptionally heavy, it is just a fraction of the animal's total mass. Blue whales can weigh up to 200 tons, which means the tongue's weight is roughly 1-1.5% of the entire body weight. This comparison highlights the colossal scale of these magnificent marine mammals.

What is the purpose of such a heavy tongue in blue whales?

The blue whale's heavy tongue plays a crucial role in its feeding process. When the whale takes in water to filter feed, it uses its tongue to push the water out through its baleen plates, trapping krill and small fish. The tongue's mass helps to expel the water efficiently, allowing the whale to consume the trapped food.

How does the blue whale's tongue weight contribute to its feeding efficiency?

The weight of the blue whale's tongue is integral to its lunge-feeding behavior. As the whale lunges forward, its tongue inverts to create more space for water, and then it helps to force the water out through the baleen. This efficient system allows the whale to process vast quantities of water and capture enough food to sustain its massive size.

Is the blue whale's tongue the heaviest organ in its body?

No, the blue whale's tongue is not the heaviest organ in its body. The heart of a blue whale holds that record, weighing in at around 400 kilograms (880 pounds) or more. However, the tongue is one of the heaviest muscles in the animal kingdom and is a vital component of the whale's anatomy.