Giant barrel sponge
A giant barrel sponge is a large, hollow marine animal that filters food particles from seawater through its porous body.
Also known as: great barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta
How big is it?
1.2 m tall
Also 3.937 ft
Defined colony height · defined specimen
Typical recorded range: 50 cm to 1.8 m.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Curling broom.
Curling broom: A curling broom is a tool used in curling to sweep the ice and influence the movement of the curling stone.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Giant barrel sponge
A defined 1.2 m high giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) with an 80 kg wet mass. Colonies grow in irregular barrel forms; height excludes the reef substrate and the central cavity is open.
The marked defined colony height is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Curling broom
A defined competition-style curling broom 1.22 m long and weighing 450 g. Handle length and head construction vary; the World Curling rules chiefly govern the sweeping-head fabric.
World Curling — Rules and regulations
The marked defined overall length is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1.2 m
For comparison, this page uses defined colony height. This is labelled defined specimen: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value. The recorded range is 50 cm to 1.8 m.
A defined 1.2 m high giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta) with an 80 kg wet mass. Colonies grow in irregular barrel forms; height excludes the reef substrate and the central cavity is open.
The marked vertical span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Giant barrel sponge dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 m | 50 cm to 1.8 m | defined specimen | |
| 80 kg | 30 kg to 180 kg | defined specimen |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
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Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Smithsonian Ocean — SpongesSponge anatomy and colony growth; the atlas uses a defined adult giant-barrel specimen.
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