10 Animals That Are Bigger Than Your Backyard Grill

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When you light the grill, you probably imagine burgers, hot dogs, and steaks grilling over the flames: all smaller than the grill. What if we looked at what’s bigger than the grill? We forget how big some animals are until you see how much they compare to everyday objects, like your trusty BBQ grill. Whether you’ve got the compact kettle model or the state of the art smoker, these animals blow them out of size.

This is not just about elephants or whales. They’re big, sure, but we’re headed for a combination of some of the most interesting creatures you may not think of off the top of your head. Big critters with massive wings and animals of the plains, let’s see if any of them can outstrip your grill in size—and in taste.

The Saltwater Crocodile

Australia’s saltwater crocodiles, or ‘salties’ as they are affectionately called, are nature’s prehistoric tanks. They can reach lengths of 23 feet and can weigh more than 2,000 pounds. Imagine your grill, five or six feet long, and triple that. Though they spend most of the day lazing around in estuaries and rivers, a bite from these crocs would pack enough of a jaw snapping force to likely smash your grill to bits.

Green Anaconda

The green anaconda was legend. It’s stretched up to 30 feet long, weighed as much as 550 pounds, and is basically as if someone took a giant garden hose and put scales on it. If you’ve ever grumbled about the weight of your grill cover, just try heaving this slippery giant. The sheer size of these snakes, which are found in the Amazon basin, isn’t so obvious until they slither onto land, since they spend so much of their time in the water.

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Leatherback sea turtles are adorable, but in a different league, it seems. They are the largest of turtles; they typically weigh up to 2,000 pounds and reach a length of about seven feet. That’s taller than most professional basketball players and wider than your grill.

Japanese Spider Crab

The Japanese spider crab makes for no good picnic companion. Its leg span can reach up to 13 feet, so it’s the nightmare cousin of the spider you found in your basement. The crabs live in the deep waters of Japan, and scuttle around there like a grill with spindly legs. If you’re creeped out by crabs, you might want to skip a trip to the beach.

Giraffe

While the giraffe may look like a gentle giant, they stand up to 20 feet tall, meaning even the most elaborate backyard smoker is just a toy by comparison. Fun fact: A giraffes neck alone is six feet long, the same as a standard grills width. Don’t get us started on their long legs either. And those could walk over your backyard barbecue without missing a beat.

Sunfish (Mola Mola)

The sunfish is a pancake that if you could imagine, would crush your grill. These odd looking creatures are known as one of the heaviest bony fish, growing up to 10 feet long, and over 5,000 pounds. As they often float near the surface and, indeed, sometimes sunbathe there, marine biologists call them ‘the ocean’s sunbathers.’

Harp Seal

Adorable harp seals can also tip the scales. Adult males can be upwards of 400 pounds and six feet long, which is the size of a mid size grill. As part of their famous migration, these seals gather in great groups, creating an arctic spectacle that would put even the biggest backyard parties to shame.

Bison

Deadliest Creatures in North America That Could Kill You! — Image Credit: Abzerit/123rf

If your cookouts involve bison burgers, here’s a fun twist: One hoof from the bison itself could squash your grill. Weighing up to 2,200 pounds and over 10 feet long, it’s North America’s largest land animal. Their population recovery from near extinction is a conservation success story. National Park Service says that now, over 500,000 bison can be found roaming privately and publicly owned lands.

King Cobra

When it comes to the snakes, size usually means danger, and the king cobra is no different. This snake measures up to 18 feet and is venomous enough. Easily, it could wrap around your grill like a sinister garden hose. Lucky for us, king cobras are shy and would rather not run into humans unless they have to.

Cassowary

This is proof that not all birds are meant to fly. These flightless giants are native to the rainforests of New Guinea and Australia, and can reach six feet tall — the same size as some grills with smokers attached. Don’t let their glossy black feathers and striking blue heads fool you though—these birds have a reputation for being feisty.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.