Giant animal

A giant animal is an animal whose size and mass is significantly greater than the maximum size of a normal animal of it's respective species. Which is to say, such an animal cannot possibly exist in nature. Some animal species that are extraterrestrial in origin may appear to be giant-sized, but it is quite possible that this is actually the appropriate size for it's species.

The science fiction genre in particular, has always nursed an affection for giant animal stories and as such, is actually a sub-genus (if you will) of the giant monster trope. In film, animals of extraordinary size usually come about as a result of an adverse change to the environment. More often than not, this adverse change is usually caused by humanity's abuse of either science or the ecosystem. Dumping a canister of toxic waste into a reservoir is a surefire way to breed all manners of giant animals.

Appearances

 * Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Band Candy - Buffy fights Lurconis, a giant sewer snake.
 * Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Graduation Day (Part 2) - Mayor Richard Wilkins turns into a giant snake.
 * Doctor Who: Arachnids in the UK - Genetically enlarged spiders, plus queen.
 * Defiance: The Devil in the Dark - Hellbug queen.
 * Space Ghost: Creature King - Creature King sends large scaly ape to attack Space Ghost.