Top 10: What are the heaviest land carnivores?

These big beasts need a lot to eat to get to their superior size – just make sure you’re not on the menu.

Published: August 26, 2016 at 1:00 pm

10. Grey wolf

Grey wolf © Getty Images
Grey Wolf © Getty Images

Weight: 80kg

Diet: moose, deer

9. Spotted hyena

Spotted Hyena © Getty Images
Spotted Hyena © Getty Images

Weight: 90kg

Diet: wildebeest, zebra

8. Green anaconda

Green Anaconda © Getty Images
Green Anaconda © Getty Images

Weight: 97.5kg

Diet: fish, birds, deer

7. Jaguar

Jaguar © Getty Images
Jaguar © Getty Images

Weight: 158kg

Diet: caiman, deer, capybaras

6. Burmese python

Burmese Python © Getty Images
Burmese Python © Getty Images

Weight: 183kg*

Diet: rats, deer, goats

*Heaviest recorded specimen

5. African lion

African Lion © Getty Images
African Lion © Getty Images

Weight: 250kg

Diet: wildebeest, zebra, carrion

4. Siberian tiger

Siberian Tiger © Getty Images
Siberian Tiger © Getty Images

Weight: 318kg

Diet: deer, pigs

3. Brown bear

Brown Bear © Getty Images
Brown Bear © Getty Images

Weight: 680kg

Diet: salmon, berries, seaweed

2. Polar bear

Polar Bear © Getty Images
Polar Bear © Getty Images

Weight: 700kg

Diet: ringed and bearded seals

1. Walrus*

Walrus © Getty Images
Walrus © Getty Images

Weight: 1,200kg

Diet: shellfish, occasionally seals

*Walruses spend a third of their lives on land or ice.

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.