The nose-to-tail length of a blue whale is about 7.58 times the shoulder height of an African elephant. Selected basis: a representative value for African elephant; a representative value for Blue whale; approximate values.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions. Horizontal rulers compare the selected spans; vertical brackets also identify height on the artwork.
3.3 m - Shoulder height; representative; range 3.2 m–4 m.
An African elephant is a large plant-eating mammal recognised by its trunk, tusks and broad ears.
An adult male African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana). This specimen is 3.3 m at the shoulder and 5,000 kg; neither is a species average. Female elephants are generally smaller.
University of Michigan — African bush elephant25 m - Nose-to-tail length; representative.
A blue whale is a baleen whale that feeds by filtering small animals from seawater. It is the largest living animal known.
A chosen 25 m, 100 tonne adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Population, sex and age matter: this is a representative comparison specimen, not a record animal.
NOAA Fisheries — Blue whale
There’s always another scale
Living thingsAfrican elephant3.3 mAn African elephant is a large plant-eating mammal recognised by its trunk, tusks and broad ears.
Living thingsBlue whale25 mA blue whale is a baleen whale that feeds by filtering small animals from seawater.
PeopleHuman1.75 mA human is a primate of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished by habitual upright walking, language and complex tool use.
Living thingsGiraffe5 mA giraffe is an African mammal distinguished by its extremely long neck and legs, feeding mainly on tree leaves.
TransportFamily car4.5 mA family car is a motor vehicle designed to carry several passengers and their belongings.
TransportDouble-decker bus11 mA double-decker bus is a passenger vehicle with two levels, used for public transport.
TransportAirbus A38072.7 mThe Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body passenger aeroplane built for long-haul flights.
Living thingsBottlenose dolphin2.5 mA bottlenose dolphin is a marine mammal with a streamlined body, prominent dorsal fin and a short beak-like snout.Side by side
Illustrative artwork · not to scaleIllustrative artwork · not to scaleIllustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scaleGot a good eye for scale?