What land animal has the largest mouth?

The hippopotamus has the largest mouth of any land animal. A common hippopotamus can open its powerful jaws to roughly 150–180 degrees, creating an enormous gape designed for grazing and intimidation.

The species, Hippopotamus amphibius, is native to sub-Saharan Africa and spends much of the day in rivers, lakes, and muddy pools. At night, it leaves the water to graze on grasses. Despite its bulky body and plant-based diet, the hippo has large canine and incisor teeth, with some tusk-like teeth growing to impressive lengths.

The answer needs one important qualification: the hippo has the largest mouth among land animals, not among all animals. A blue whale has a vastly larger mouth overall, although it is a marine mammal. Elephants have enormous heads and strong jaws, but their mouths are not as wide-opening as a hippo's.

Hippos are also more dangerous than their cartoon image suggests. They are highly territorial in water and can move quickly on land, making close encounters especially risky. Their wide gape is both a feeding adaptation and a warning display.