These records are filled with humanity's spirit of exploration and wonder at nature, reflecting the diversity and marvel of the animal world. This article introduces ten world records held by animals: the most intelligent chimpanzee, the dog with the longest tongue, the dog with the longest ears, the dog with the longest tail, the insect with the most legs, the fastest land animal, the shortest cow, the rabbit with the most basketball shots in one minute, the heaviest bird, and the longest snake. Of course, these records are only a small part of the animal world's records; many more interesting animal records await discovery and creation. The records described in this article are compiled from relevant online materials and are for reference only, helping you understand ten different animal world records. If there are any errors or questions, please feel free to comment/criticize at the end.
1. The smartest chimpanzee
Kanzi, a male chimpanzee born in 1980 infected with rhabdomyosarcoma virus, is considered one of the most intelligent chimpanzees in the world. After being adopted by humans, Kanzi received professional training and learned to communicate using symbolic language. Kanzi is highly adept at understanding and using language; he can comprehend approximately 3,000 English words and use hundreds of gestures and symbols to express himself. In addition, Kanzi is a very curious and creative chimpanzee, capable of inventing new symbols to express his needs and thoughts. As a prominent animal celebrity, Kanzi has appeared on television and in movies multiple times, receiving widespread attention and praise. His intelligence and language abilities have also enabled scientists to gain a deeper understanding and exploration of communication between humans and animals.
2. The dog with the longest tongue
The dog currently believed to have the longest tongue is a Saint Bernard named Mochi. Mochi's tongue is a world record-breaking 7.31 inches (18.58 cm) long, longer than her own head! Mochi's owner, Carla Rickert, noticed her unusually long tongue and applied to the Guinness World Records, ultimately earning her the title of "World's Longest Tongue Dog" in 2017. Despite her long tongue, Mochi doesn't experience any discomfort, and her owner regularly cleans and maintains its hygiene.
3. The dog with the longest ears
A black and tan Coonhound from Oregon, USA, has broken the world record for the longest ears of a dog, with each ear measuring 34 centimeters (13.38 inches). Its owner proudly says this big-eared dog is an ambassador for the breed. Lou, the Coonhound, was officially recognized by the World Records in September of this year as the dog with the longest ears (living), and it will also be included in the 2022 Book of World Records. Three-year-old Lou is an exceptionally tall dog, with ears that extend at least to the tip of its nose. In fact, almost all Coonhounds have beautiful long ears. This breed has an exceptionally keen sense of smell and is renowned for its hunting and tracking abilities.
4. The dog with the longest tail
The dog currently believed to have the longest tail is an Irish Wolfhound named Keon. Its owner, Londoner Illyanna De La Keur, shared photos of her pet on social media, attracting global attention. Keon's tail measures 30 inches (76.2 cm), longer than its body! While this breed naturally has long, bushy tails, Keon's is exceptionally long, making it the "dog with the longest tail in the world." However, it's important to note that due to significant differences between breeds and individuals, it's difficult to definitively say which dog has the longest tail.
5. The insect with the most legs
The insect currently believed to have the most legs is a creature called the giant centipede (Illacme plenipes). This centipede has an extremely long body, reaching over two inches, and possesses up to 750 legs. Giant centipedes are mainly distributed in central California, USA, living in rock crevices and under tree bark. They are typically nocturnal, preying on small arthropods and insects. It's important to note that while giant centipedes have numerous legs, not all of them are what we usually call "legs," as many are used for functions such as touch, locomotion, and respiration, rather than walking.
6. The fastest land animal
Sarah, a cheetah, ran at 120 kilometers per hour at the San Diego Wildlife Park in California, becoming one of the fastest land animals ever recorded. Cheetahs utilize their intricate physique and powerful legs to run, enabling them to catch and kill their prey in a short time. Their bodies are beautifully sculpted, with well-developed and muscular bodies that are particularly striking when they run. Despite their incredible speed, cheetahs face many challenges, such as environmental destruction, hunting, and habitat loss, and are currently listed as an endangered species.
7. The shortest cow
The shortest cow currently recorded is Manikyam, a rare miniature calf from the Ganges Delta in India. Manikyam stands only 61.1 centimeters tall, while the average adult Ganges Delta miniature calf typically stands between 76 and 102 centimeters. Manikyam is one of the shortest representatives of this breed and has been certified by the Guinness World Records as the "world's shortest dairy cow." It's important to note that due to significant differences in breed and individual animal characteristics, sizes vary greatly, whether for cattle or other animals. Furthermore, long-term artificial domestication by humans has also influenced animal characteristics such as body shape and height.
8. The rabbit with the most shots in 1 minute
On October 31, 2016, Bini, a 4-year-old Dutch Robor rabbit, set a record for the most dunks in one minute by a rabbit in California, USA, with 7 dunks. Bini was trained by Shai Asor (USA).
9. The heaviest bird
An African ostrich named Darius, weighing 157 kilograms, became the heaviest bird ever recorded. The African ostrich (Struthio camelus) is one of the largest and heaviest birds in the world, reaching a height of 2.7 meters and weighing up to 157 kilograms. African ostriches are flightless birds, but possess strong legs and agile speed. They are mainly distributed in the arid grasslands, savannas, and deserts of sub-Saharan Africa and are widely farmed for their meat and eggs. Besides the African ostrich, some extinct prehistoric birds, such as the ptarmigan (Aepyornis) and the moa (Dromornithidae), also once possessed even larger and heavier forms.
10. The longest snake
The longest snake ever recorded in captivity is Medusa, a reticulated python owned by Full Moon Productions Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. She was measured at 7.67 meters (25 feet 2 inches) on October 12, 2011. Medusa also holds the current title of "longest live snake in captivity."
