There are a wide variety of large reptiles, mammals and other animals that make their home in the United States, but these 10 are the heaviest ones that you’ll find today.
- Bison – Maximum Weight – 3,800 pounds (1,724 kg)
- Pacific Walrus – Maximum Weight – 3,500 pounds (1600 kg)
- American Crocodile – Maximum Weight – 2,200 pounds (998 kg)
- Moose – Maximum Weight – 1,808 pounds (820 kg)
- Hereford Cow – Maximum Weight – 1,800 pounds (816 kg)
- Polar Bear – Maximum Weight – 1,700 pounds (771 kg)
- Kodiak Bear – Maximum Weight – 1,656 pounds (751 kg)
- Grizzly Bear – Maximum Weight – 1,200 pounds (544 kg)
- Roosevelt Elk – Maximum Weight – 1,100 pounds (500 kg)
- American Alligator – Maximum Weight – 1,000 pounds (453 kg)
Please note that our list includes only one breed of each animal. For example, we could have listed several types of cows that would take up a number of positions on this list. However, we only list one on here.
What A Bison Weighs
- Average Weight – 930 to 2,200 pounds (422 to 998 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 3,800 pounds (1,724 kg)
- Average Height – 5 to 6.5 ft (1.52 to 2.4 meters)
- Average Length – 6.5 to 12 ft (1.98 to 3.66 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 15 to 25 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – 25 pounds (11.34 kg)
- Where Found – Canada, Europe and United States
Officially named the U.S. national mammal, the American bison is also the heaviest animal roaming our countryside. Bison can be found in large numbers in Yellowstone National Park, which is home to around 5,000 of them. Bison remain a living heritage to our nation’s old west history.
What A Pacific Walrus Weighs
- Average Weight – 2,000 to 3,500 pounds (900 to 1,600 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg)
- Average Height – Up to 5 ft (1.5 meters)
- Average Length – 10 to 12 ft (3.0 to 3.7 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 30 to 40 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – 80 to 125 pounds
- Where Found – Alaska
Although they spend the majority of their time in the water, the Pacific Walrus also enjoys sitting on the ice in various areas of Alaska. Easy to recognize, these beautiful huge animals are also much heavier than most people think. Weighing as much as a small car, walruses pack on the pounds.
What An American Crocodile Weighs
- Average Weight – 850 to 1,100 pounds (400 to 499 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 2,200 pounds (998 kg)
- Average Height – 2 ft (.61 meters)
- Average Length – 10 to 13 ft (3 to 3.96 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 45 to 70 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – Up to half its body weight at a sitting
- Where Found – Southern tip of Florida
Not only can American crocodiles grow to be over 2,000 pounds, these guys also have a bite force that is far-and-away the strongest of any creature on the planet. With a force of 5,000 pounds per square inch, you don’t anything to do with these guys!
What A Moose Weighs
- Average Weight – 1,050 to 1,400 pounds
- Maximum Weight – 1,808 pounds (820 kg)
- Average Height – 4.5 to 6.5 ft (1.4 to 2 meters)
- Average Length – Up to 10 ft (3.05 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 15 to 20 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – 50 to 90 pounds (23 to 41 kg)
- Where Found – Alaska, Northern New England, Northern MN, MI and WI
As the second heaviest land animal in the United States, moose are an impressive sight to behold. These magnificent looking animals sport the most unique looking paddle type antlers you’ll find, but did you know that they lose them every winter and grow new ones in the spring?
What A Hereford Cow Weighs
- Average Weight – 1,000 to 1,800 pounds (454 to 816 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 1800 pounds (816 kg)
- Average Height – 4 to 6 ft (1.22 to 1.83 meters)
- Average Length – 6 to 8 ft (1.83 to 2.4 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 15 to 22 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – 80 to 120 pounds (35 to 54 kg)
- Where Found – Throughout U.S.
Being one of the most common breeds of the beef industry in the United States, you’ve likely seen many of these big cows roaming the pasture. With weights of up to 1,800 pounds, these big animals that are well-known for producing some of the best tasting meat you can find.
What A Polar Bear Weighs
- Average Weight – 400 to 1,200 pounds (181 to 544 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 1,700 pounds (771 kg)
- Average Height – 8 to 10 ft (2.44 to 3.05 meters)
- Average Length – 6 to 10 ft (1.83 to 3.05 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 25 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – Up to 100 to 150 pounds (45 to 68 kg) in a sitting
- Where Found – Northern Alaska
Polar bears are incredible to watch, especially the younger cubs as they explore and play. Although these beautiful animals are enjoyable to look at, they are also a force to reckon with. They have quite an appetite for their favorite meal, bearded seals, which they can smell from up to 20 miles (32 km) away.
What A Kodiak Bear Weighs
- Average Weight – 400 to 1,400 pounds (181 to 635 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 1,648 pounds (747 kg)
- Average Height – 5 ft (1.52 meters)
- Average Length – 8 ft (2.44 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 20 to 25 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – Unknown
- Where Found – Alaska
The Kodiak bear is the largest type of brown bear in the United States, and around the world as well. It’s nearly equal to the size of a polar bear but can weigh even more in captivity. Found only on the islands of the Kodiak Archipelago in the United States, watching these bears fish for salmon is a sight that people have enjoyed for many years.
What A Grizzly Bear Weighs
- Average Weight – 300 to 900 pounds (136 to 408 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 1,500 pounds (680 kg)
- Average Height – 6 to 10 ft (1.83 to 3.05 meters)
- Average Length – 6.5 ft (1.98 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 25 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – Up to 90 pounds (41 kg)
- Where Found – Alaska and Northwest United States
The grizzly bear, or North American brown bear as it is also known as, is arguably the most well-known of all bears. Living in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding lands, grizzly bears are always loved by park visitors. However, the grizzly is strong, tough and aggressive and can easily kill a human if surprised or provoked.
What A Roosevelt Elk Weighs
- Average Weight – 700 to 1,100 pounds (318 to 499 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 1,300 pounds (590 kg)
- Average Height – 2.5 to 5 ft (0.75–1.5 meters)
- Average Length – 6 to 10 ft (1.8 to 3 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 12 to 15 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – 15 pounds (6.8 kg)
- Where Found – Alaska and Pacific Northwest
As the largest living North American elk, the Roosevelt elk can be found throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Named for former president Theodore Roosevelt, this massive animal is a bit smaller than a moose, but still weighs at well over 1,000 pounds.
What An American Alligator Weighs
- Average Weight – 400 to 800 pounds (181 to 363 kg)
- Maximum Weight – 1,043 pounds (473 kg)
- Average Height – 1 to 2 ft (0.3 to 0.6 meters)
- Average Length – 10 to 15 ft (3 to 4.5 meters)
- Average Lifespan – 35 to 50 years
- Average Daily Food Intake – Unknown
- Where Found – North Carolina To Texas
Living in swamps, lakes, ponds and rivers, the American alligator is a common sight in the Southeastern part of the United States. In addition to their large size, these guys are strong. They are known for their “death roll”, in which they drag much larger prey underwater and roll them over and over until they drown.