# Records of large animal species

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/records-of-large-animal-species
> Updated: 2026-08-26T07:36:09.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Information regarding record-breaking animal sizes has been identified across different species. The blue whale is noted as the largest animal known to have ever lived, while the African bush elephant is recognized as the largest living animal on land.

In the deer family, the moose is the largest living member, while the extinct Irish elk is identified as the largest deer species to have ever existed.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Moose and Irish elk identified as largest deer species

The moose is the largest living deer species, while the extinct Megaloceros giganteus, or Irish elk, holds the record for the largest deer to ever exist.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moose-and-irish-elk-identified-as-largest-deer-species

### 2026-08-23: Blue whale and African bush elephant identified as world's largest animals

The blue whale is the largest animal ever recorded, while the African bush elephant stands as the largest living land animal.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/blue-whale-and-african-bush-elephant-identified-as-worlds-largest-animals

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Cite as: Records of large animal species. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/records-of-large-animal-species