List of the Biggest Mammals in the U.S.

The U.S. may not be home to the world's biggest land mammals, such as the African elephants, giraffes and rhinos, but it does have some very large animal species. The country has some huge herbivore species and is also part of the southernmost range of the planet's largest land carnivore.

  1. Bison

    • The Bison at one time roamed the open ranges of much of the U.S. but today is limited to a few populations in national parks. Bison grow to 6 1/2 feet tall at the shoulder and over 12 feet long and weigh up to 2,000 lbs. The bison, an herbivore that feeds on a variety of grasses, is North America's largest land mammal.

    Moose

    • The moose lives in Canada and some areas of the northern U.S., such as Alaska. It is the largest deer species in the world. It grows to 6 1/2 feet at the shoulder and weighs up to 1,800 lbs. Adult male moose can have sets of antlers which spread up to 6 feet across. The moose is a large herbivore species which is also found in northern Europe.

    Polar Bear

    • The polar bear is found throughout the Arctic region as well as areas of far northern Alaska. It is the world's largest land predator. The bear grows to 8 feet in height and weighs up to 1,600 lbs. A thick coat of fur keeps the bears warm in the extreme cold of the far north. They are large, powerful predators which commonly prey on seals and scavenge large whale carcasses.

    Elk

    • The elk is a large relative of the deer that live in mountainous forest regions of the western U.S. It grows to 5 feet at the shoulder and weighs up to 1,100 lbs. The male elk's antlers grow to 4 feet across and shed around march each year. The elk is a herbivore, feeding on grasses and shrubs.

    North American Brown Bears

    • The North American brown bear, known as a grizzly in the U.S., is the second largest North American mammalian predator. A subspecies of brown bear, grizzlies grow to 8 feet in height and weigh up to 700 lbs. Grizzlies are found in the far northern states such as Alaska and throughout Canada. It is a large, powerful predator capable of bringing down huge prey, including moose.