The World’s Largest Sponge is Massive at 11 Feet Long and 6 Feet Wide

By: | June 2nd, 2016

NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

The ocean is filled with all sorts of wild things, including gigantic sponges.

Recently, the world’s largest sponge was found near the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, spanning 11 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5 feet tall.

There’s no telling how old the sponge is, seeing as the multicellular organisms can live for thousands of years.

Previously, the world’s largest sponge was found in western Canada, but this new one dwarfs that sponge at nearly double its size.

Relying on water flows to obtain nutrients and oxygen, as well as a means of depositing waste, the world’s largest sponge sits approximately 7,000 feet below the surface of the water.

So, don’t worry about running into it anytime soon.

Marshall Smith

Technology, engineering, and design enthusiast.

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