The animal with the biggest brain on Earth is the sperm whale.
Brain Size Comparison
While many animals have impressive cognitive abilities, the size of their brains varies significantly. Here’s a comparison based on the provided reference:
| Animal | Brain Weight (kg) | Brain Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Sperm Whale | ~8 | ~18 |
| Elephant | ~5 | ~11 |
| Bottlenose Dolphin | 1.5 - 1.7 | 3.3 - 3.7 |
| Human | 1.3 - 1.5 | 2.9 - 3.3 |
Key Takeaways
- Sperm whales have the largest brains, weighing approximately 8 kg (18 lb).
- Elephants follow with brain weights just over 5 kg (11 lb).
- Bottlenose dolphins have relatively smaller brains, ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 kg (3.3 to 3.7 lb).
- Human brains are smaller than both sperm whale and elephant brains, with a range of 1.3 to 1.5 kg (2.9 to 3.3 lb).
- Brain size tends to correlate with body size.
While brain size is not the only factor determining intelligence, it is a significant characteristic to compare among species. The sperm whale, therefore, holds the title for having the largest brain on Earth.
