Which animal has the highest number of chromosomes?

The animal with the highest number of chromosomes is the marbled lungfish, which has 132 pairs of chromosomes, or a total of 264 chromosomes. This is a very high number compared to most other animals. For example, humans have only 23 pairs of chromosomes, or a total of 46 chromosomes. Other animals with high numbers of chromosomes include the red viscacha rat with 102 chromosomes and the Chinese soft-shelled turtle with 100 chromosomes.

The animal with the highest number of chromosomes is the Atlas blue butterfly (Polyommatus/Plebicula atlanticus). It has 448–452 chromosomes (i.e. 224–26 pairs) per cell. This is more than any other animal species, including humans, which have 46 chromosomes. The Atlas blue butterfly is native to Morocco and Algeria. It is a small butterfly with a wingspan of about 2 inches. The wings are blue with black spots. The Atlas blue butterfly is a protected species.