12 Animals That Are About 30 Feet (ft.) Long

Aquatic animals are considered some of the largest on the planet, considering they need too much space for breeding, feeding, and migrating.

There are many animal species in the ocean that people have never heard about. They can measure anywhere from a few inches to hundreds of feet, which explains the diversity of marine life. Talking of lengths, there are quite a few species of animals about 30 feet long.

Please look at some of them and a few details about their habitat, bodies, and feeding habits.

1. Giant manta rays

Manta rays are the largest of all rays in the genus Mobula. They are categorized into different species, with the largest reaching around 30 feet.

The smallest species is around 18 feet long but still has the same features. They are characterized by triangular pectoral fins, forward-facing mouths, and pectoral fins.

They are related to stingrays and have the most massive brain-to-body ratio than other fish.

2. Giant pacific octopus

The giant Pacific Ocean is a massive marine cephalopod in the Enteroctopus genus.

These animals are primarily distributed across the coastlines of the North Pacific in Oregon, California, British Columbia, Washington, Alaska, Japan, Russia, and the Korean Peninsula.

The giant octopuses can grow to around 30 feet long, especially the male species.

3. Orca

The Killer whale, also called the orca, is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family.

Its black-and-white patterned body makes it look like a dolphin, and it can grow about 30 feet long when fully matured.

A single orca can weigh between 5000-9000 pounds and swim at 56km/h. They can live beyond 45 years in captivity.

4. Giant squid

The giant squid is one of the squids that live deep in the ocean and can grow to massive sizes. These rare to see animals can grow over 30 feet long, making them among the icons of deep-sea gigantism.

The largest giant squid ever recorded was 43 feet long. This squid’s scientific estimation methods enabled scientists to believe that giant squids could reach over 60 feet surpassing the colossal squid.

5. Great white shark

The great white shark is a common shark across the world’s oceans, considering the numerous sightings.

These fish are aggressive hunters and are responsible for more human deaths than the rest of the species. The great white shark can reach around 30 to 49 feet long when fully matured.

However, scientists have noted that these animals have a long kill list because of their poor eyesight, which leads them to confuse humans for seals.

6. Articulated python

The reticulated python is the longest python species and the longest snake globally. The preservation status of the snake is of least concern considering they are widespread in South and Southeast Asia.

A reticulated python can extend over 30 feet long. The longest reticulated python recorded was 26.5 feet long, but there have been cases of 33 feet snakes being discovered.

They are considered a delicacy in some regions and are also hunted for their skin which is believed to have medicinal value.

7. Green anaconda

The green anaconda goes by many names like the common anaconda, giant anaconda, sucuri, or the common water boa.

This boa species is endemic to South America, specifically the Amazonia river basin. This snake can reach about 30 feet and is also considered one of the longest and heaviest known snake species worldwide.

They are non-venomous constrictors and feed by squeezing their prey before swallowing them whole.

8. Colossal squid

The colossal squid is popularly known as the giant cranch squid or Antarctic squid. It is considered the most giant squid by mass and length.

This species can average around 30 feet long, with some growing over 50 feet. However, these animals are not entirely studied, considering only a few species have been specimens.

They can reach a maximum of 1091 pounds and are the only members of the entire family to have hooks on the tentacles.

However, their extended sizes do not stop sperm whales from hunting them.

9. Humpback whale

The humpback whale is one of the few baleen whale species globally and one of the largest rorqual species, reaching 30 feet.

It has a unique body shape with a knobby head and long pectoral fins. They can weigh up to 30 tons and live over 45 years.

These once considered endangered animals have now been removed from the list of threatened species considering a significant population recovery.

10. Gray whale

The gray whale is also a member of the baleen species and shifts its feeding and breeding grounds yearly.

These whales are the biggest by mass and length and can stretch over 30 feet long and live over 70 years.

They can weigh between 50 and 60 tons and are called “devil fish,” considering how they aggressively fight to defend themselves and their calves during an attack.

11. Megamouth shark

The megamouth shark is a deep-water shark species that is rarely seen in the ocean. It is also the smallest of the three living filter-feeding sharks besides the basking and whale sharks.

Adult megamouth sharks can measure around 30 feet long for the few caught.

Less than 100 specimens have been captured since 1976, meaning there are still many unknown things about this species.

12. Phantom jellyfish

The Stygiomedusa is one of the deep-sea jellyfish of the Ulmaridae family. This jellyfish is rarely seen, although it is believed to exist worldwide.

It is among the largest invertebrate predators found in the deep sea and can grow over 30 feet long due to the extended tentacles.

They are commonly found 6,665 meters deep in the sea.