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The blue whale carcass that washed up onto the shore of Newfoundland recently measured 24 metres in length. But the species can reach lengths of up to 32 metres. Blue whales are the largest animals known to have lived on Earth. They reach these extreme sizes on a diet consisting exclusively of krill — tiny shrimp-like animals about 1-2 cm long. At certain times during the year, blue whales can consume up to four tonnes of krill a day.