Animals that are big-headed include African elephants, Angler Fish, Beluga whales, Bison, and Blue whales.
There are quite a few of them out there, and they are pretty interesting creatures.
We’ve done some research and found some of the most fascinating creatures on earth who have disproportionately large heads.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most notable ones. We will discuss their habitats, diets, and other interesting facts.
Examples of Animals that is Big-Headed
1. African Elephant
| Scientific Name | Loxodonta |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The largest land mammal on the planet is the African Elephant. These giants can weigh up to two tons and have heads that are six feet wide. They are mainly found in central and eastern Africa, where they live in forests and grasslands. African Elephants eat leaves, branches, fruits, and other plant materials.
Elephants are very social animals and live in herds of ten to twenty individuals. Herds are led by the oldest female or matriarch. Male elephants leave their herd when they reach puberty and form, bachelor groups. Elephants use their trunks to communicate with each other. They can make a variety of sounds, including trumpeting, roaring, and humming.
2. Angler Fish
| Scientific Name | Lophiiformes |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Atlantic and Antarctic oceans |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The Angler Fish is a deep-sea fish that has one of the most unusual heads in the animal kingdom. Its head is actually a modified dorsal fin, which it uses to lure prey close to its mouth. The Angler Fish can grow up to three feet long and weigh up to fifteen pounds. It is found in all temperate and tropical oceans.
The Angler Fish is a master of deception. Its dorsal fin looks like a small fish, but when prey comes close to investigate, the Angler Fish lunges forward and grabs it in its powerful jaws. The Angler Fish’s stomach can expand up to five times its original size to accommodate large meals.
3. Beluga Whale
| Scientific Name | Delphinapterus leucas |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Russia, Canada, and Greenland |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The Beluga Whale is a small whale that has a very large head. It can weigh up to three thousand pounds and grow up to fifteen feet long. These whales are found in the Arctic Ocean and North Atlantic Ocean. They eat fish, crustaceans, and other marine animals.
Beluga Whales are very social animals and live in groups called pods. They use clicks, whistles, and other sounds to communicate with each other.
4. Bison
| Scientific Name | Bison |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Bison is a large mammal that can be found in North America. They are herbivores and eat mainly grasses. Despite their bulky appearance, they can reach speeds of up to 40 mph.
Bison are considered a keystone species because they play an important role in the prairie ecosystem. Their grazing helps to keep the grasslands healthy and their droppings provide nutrients for the soil. They also help to disperse seeds, which helps to create new plant life.
5. Blue Whale
| Scientific Name | Balaenoptera musculus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern Canada |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Blue Whale is the largest animal on Earth. They can weigh up to 330,000 pounds and grow up to 87 feet long. These animals are found in all of the world’s oceans. They eat mostly krill, but they will also consume small fish.
The Blue Whale is a baleen whale. This means that they have plates of baleen instead of teeth. They use the baleen to strain food from the water. The Blue Whale is also a migratory animal. They travel long distances in search of food.
6. Bowhead Whales
| Scientific Name | Balaena mysticetus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern Greenland and Spitsbergen |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Bowhead Whale is the largest animal with a big head. They are found in the Arctic Ocean and can weigh up to 100,000 pounds. They eat plankton and other small fish.
Their heads are so large because they have one of the biggest brains of any animal. They use their intelligence to find food in the Arctic Ocean. Bowheads are also one of the longest-living animals in the world. They can live for more than 200 years.
7. Gorillas
| Scientific Name | Gorilla |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | equatorial Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Gorillas are considered the largest primates in the world. They have a big head and an even bigger body. Gorillas typically live in rain forests, where they eat mostly fruit and vegetables.
Male gorillas can weigh up to 600 pounds, while females typically weigh 250 pounds. Gorillas are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. They spend most of their day eating and resting.
Gorillas live in groups called troops. A troop can have from five to thirty-five gorillas, but the average size is around fifteen. The leader of a troop is typically the oldest male gorilla.
8. Green Humphead Parrotfish
| Scientific Name | Bolbometopon muricatum |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | Australia |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The green humphead parrotfish is a big-headed fish that can be found in the Indo-Pacific region. This fish can reach up to 47 inches in length and can weigh up to 33 pounds. The green humphead parrotfish is a carnivore and feeds on coral, algae, and other small invertebrates.
9. Grizzly Bear
| Scientific Name | Ursus arctos horribilis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alaska and western Canada |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The grizzly bear is a large, omnivorous animal that is found in North America. These animals have massive heads and are known for their aggressive behavior. Grizzlies can weigh up to 1700 pounds and eat a variety of things, including plants, insects, small mammals, and fish.
Male grizzlies will often mark their territory by rubbing their bodies against trees or rocks. They also make a grunting noise to warn off other bears. Grizzlies are usually shy around humans but can be dangerous if provoked. In the wild, grizzlies can live for up to 25 years.
10. Hammerhead Bat
| Scientific Name | Hypsignathus monstrosus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Central Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The hammerhead bat is a species of bat that is found in Central and South America. This bat has a big head that resembles a hammer, hence its name. The hammerhead bat is a carnivore and feeds on insects, lizards, and other small animals. It prefers to live in tropical rainforests and woodlands.
The hammerhead bat is a medium-sized bat, measuring about six to eight inches in length. It has reddish-brown fur with white tips on its wings. The bat’s head is large and triangular, with small eyes and pointed ears. Its nose is long and slender, and its mouth is filled with sharp teeth.
11. Hippo
| Scientific Name | Hippopotamus amphibius |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The hippopotamus is a large, aquatic mammal that can be found in Africa. They are omnivores and their diet consists of mainly plants and grasses. Hippos are very aggressive animals and they are known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth. They can weigh up to two tons and they have a head-to-body length of up to eight feet.
12. Horses
| Scientific Name | Equus caballus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Horses are big-headed animals that are found all over the world. They are herbivores, and their diet consists of grasses, leaves, and other plant materials. Horses have long lives, typically living for around 25 years.
13. Koala
| Scientific Name | Phascolarctos cinereus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southeastern and eastern Australia |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The koala is a small, herbivorous marsupial that is found in Australia. The koala has a big head and a stout body. It has round ears, no tail, and white fur on its chest. Koalas are arboreal animals that live in eucalyptus forests.
They eat leaves from the eucalyptus trees and drink water from creeks or ponds. Koalas are nocturnal animals that spend most of the day resting in tree forks or on branches
Related Article: Do Koala Have Pouches?
14. Lion (Male)
| Scientific Name | Panthera leo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The lion is the king of the jungle. This big cat has a massive head that is covered in fur. Lions are carnivores and eat meat from animals such as zebras, antelopes, and wildebeests. They live in Africa and Asia.
15. Musk Ox
| Scientific Name | Ovibos moschatus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | northern Canada and Greenland |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Musk Ox is a big-headed animal that can be found in the cold climates of North America and Europe. They are herbivores and eat mainly grasses, mosses, and lichens. These animals have two horns on their head that they use for defense or to break through ice to get food.
16. Octopus
| Scientific Name | Octopoda |
| Type of Animal | Cephalopod |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The octopus is a cephalopod that has a big head. It is found in both salt and fresh water and can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean seas. The octopus’s diet consists of crabs, shrimp, clams, mussels, and other small creatures. Octopuses are very intelligent and can be trained to do tricks.
17. Orangutan (Male)
| Scientific Name | Pongo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The orangutan is a great example of an animal with a big head. There are three types of Orangutans native to Indonesia and Sumatra and can be found in both rainforests and swamp forests.
These animals are the largest arboreal mammals on earth, meaning they live primarily in trees. Orangutans have reddish-brown hair, and their heads are particularly large in comparison to their bodies.
Orangutans are herbivores, and their diet consists mostly of fruit. However, they will also eat leaves, insects, and other small animals. They are considered to be critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
18. Owls
| Scientific Name | Strigiformes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The owl is a nocturnal bird that is found in many different parts of the world. They have big heads and are known for their wide eyes. Owls eat small animals such as mice, rats, and other rodents. They also eat insects, birds, and reptiles. Owls live in trees or other tall habitats.
19. Pandas
| Scientific Name | Ailuropoda melanoleuca |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southwest China |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The panda is a big-headed animal that is found in China. They are black and white in color and have a large head relative to their body size. Pandas are herbivores, meaning that they eat mostly plants. They live in bamboo forests and eat around 30 pounds of bamboo per day.
20. Rhinos
| Scientific Name | Rhinocerotidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The rhinoceros is a big, bulky animal that is found in Africa and Asia. These animals have two horns on their head that can grow up to three feet long. Rhinos are herbivores and eat mostly plants. They live in areas where there is lots of dense vegetation so they can hide from predators.
Related Article: What Eats Rhinos?
21. Shrews
| Scientific Name | Soricidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America to northwestern South America, Africa |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Small, insectivorous mammals that are found throughout the world. They have small eyes and a big head in comparison to their body size. Shrews typically eat insects, but can also consume other small animals or plants.
22. Sperm Whales
| Scientific Name | Physeter macrocephalus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | all deep oceans |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The sperm whale is one of the animals with a big head. They are found in all the world’s oceans and can weigh up to 90,000 pounds. They eat squid and other fish and can dive up to 3000 feet deep.
23. Tarsier
| Scientific Name | Tarsiidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Philippines |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The tarsier is a small, nocturnal primate that can be found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. These animals have big heads and eyes, which are so large that they take up almost half of their head. Tarsiers have very long fingers and toes, which they use to grab onto branches. They eat insects and small lizards.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.