The Biggest Living Thing: A Huge Fungus in Oregon

Did you know that the largest living organism on Earth is a fungus in Oregon's Malheur National Forest? It covers over 2,385 acres!

Imagine the biggest living thing on Earth. It’s not an enormous animal or a giant tree. It’s actually a huge fungus! This giant fungus is found in a place called Malheur National Forest in Oregon. Let’s explore more about this amazing giant!

What is a Fungus?

A fungus is a type of plant-like organism, but it’s not a plant. Mushrooms are a type of fungus that you might have seen. Fungi can live on trees, in the ground, or even inside other plants and animals.

The Giant Fungus

Size: This fungus is so big that it covers over 2,385 acres! That’s about the size of 1,800 football fields put together. It’s huge!
Location: This giant fungus lives in Malheur National Forest in Oregon, which is a forest full of trees and wildlife.

How Does This Fungus Grow?

Underground Network: Most of the fungus is underground, where it spreads out in a big network of tiny threads called mycelium. It looks like a big web under the soil.
Mushrooms: Sometimes, the fungus grows mushrooms on top of the ground. These mushrooms are just the part we see, while the rest is hidden below.

Why is This Fungus Special?

Biggest Living Thing: Even though it’s not the tallest or heaviest, this fungus is the largest living thing by area. It spreads out over a huge space!
Old and Wise: This fungus has been growing for thousands of years. It’s really old and has seen many seasons change.

Fun Facts About the Giant Fungus

Biggest in the World: No other living thing on Earth covers as much space as this fungus.
Living Together: The fungus helps trees and plants around it by sharing nutrients from the soil.

The largest living thing on Earth isn’t a giant animal or a huge tree—it’s a giant fungus in Oregon! It covers over 2,385 acres and is a fascinating part of nature. This enormous fungus shows how amazing and surprising the natural world can be!