How do you measure up against animals?
Animal heights are usually quoted at the shoulder, which is why a "1.6 m horse" is taller than you expect once its head is on.
1.07 × a riding horse
1.75 m is taller than 4 of the 8 references on this page.
Reference figures are measurements and are rounded; the unit conversion behind them is exact.
| Reference | Size | Yours ÷ theirs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| house cat | 0.25 m | 7× | At the shoulder |
| golden retriever | 0.58 m | 3.02× | At the shoulder |
| emperor penguin | 1.15 m | 1.52× | |
| riding horse | 1.63 m | 1.07× | 16 hands at the withers |
| ostrich | 2.7 m | 0.648× | |
| polar bear standing | 3 m | 0.583× | |
| African elephant | 3.2 m | 0.547× | At the shoulder |
| giraffe | 5.5 m | 0.318× |
Worth knowing
- A giraffe’s neck alone is about 1.8 m — taller than most people, and containing the same seven vertebrae yours does.
- An ostrich is the tallest bird alive at up to 2.7 m and can outrun a racehorse over distance.
- A polar bear on all fours reaches barely past your waist; standing, it is nearly twice your height.
Frequently asked
How is animal height measured?
Usually to the withers — the ridge between the shoulder blades — because it is a fixed bony landmark that does not change when the animal lifts its head. Giraffes and bears are the exception and are given at full height.
What is a "hand" in horse measurement?
Exactly four inches, measured to the withers. A 16-hand horse is 64 inches, or 1.626 m, at the shoulder.