Re: the longest animal?

["Jaime Headden" <jaemei@hotmail.com>]

<How would one measure "length"? A squid is "longer" across the 
tentacles with the tentacles spread apart radially than it is when 
measured in the "orthodox" manner, from "rear end" to tips of 
tentacles.>

It's radial length, yes, but we would assume it is rostrocaudal length, 
along the main axis of the body---there is such a one for squid). If we 
do register the radial length as legitimate, we only have about 120 feet 
for the giant squid (estimated on a animal never before seen living) 
which still comes shy of *Seismosaurus hallorum* "constrained" length on 
130-145 feet. David Gillette later gave a possible maximum for the type 
specimen called "Sam" at possibly 170 feet.

But the whale tape worm does fit the bill of the trivial question Beri 
asked, for he said "animal", not specifying backbone or none.

Jaime A. Headden



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