The heaviest animal to have ever lived may have been an ancient colossal whale that was recently discovered in Peru, scientists said.

Scientists have been digging up massive fossils of the new species — named Perucetus colossus, or "the colossal whale from Peru" — in the Ica desert, a region in Peru that was once underwater over the past decade. The discovery was unveiled in a Nature journal published on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

According to the journal, titled "A heavyweight early whale pushes the boundaries of vertebrate morphology," researchers calculated the ancient giant weighed somewhere between 94 and 375 tons (85 and 340 metric tons). Its body stretched to around 66 feet (20 meters) long.

The Perucetus colossus was "possibly the heaviest animal ever," said study author Eli Amson, a paleontologist at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, Germany, but "it was most likely not the longest animal ever."

LAST OF NEARLY 100 WHALES BEACHED IN AUSTRALIA EUTHANIZED DESPITE MASSIVE ATTEMPTED RESCUE EFFORT

If confirmed, the Peruvian whale would take the top spot from the blue whale, the largest of which weighs within that range at around 200 tons (180 metric tons). The blue whale can also be longer, with some growing to more than 100 feet (30 meters) in length.

"It’s just exciting to see such a giant animal that’s so different from anything we know," said Hans Thewissen, a paleontologist at Northeast Ohio Medical University who did not contribute to the research.

Mario Urbina from the University of San Marcos’ Natural History Museum in Lima first discovered the bones more than a decade ago and an international team has spent years digging them out from the side of a steep, rocky slope — known for its rich marine fossils — in the Peruvian desert.

FLORIDA WATER TOPPED 100-DEGREES TWICE THIS WEEK, MAY HAVE SET WORLD RECORD: 'THIS IS A HOT TUB'

So far, paleontologists have found 13 vertebrae from the whale’s backbone, four ribs and a hip bone. Each vertebra weighs over 220 pounds and its ribs measure nearly 5 feet long.

The excavated fossils are 39 million years old and "are unlike anything I’ve ever seen," said study author Alberto Collareta, a paleontologist at Italy's University of Pisa.

Researchers have used 3D scanners to study the surface of the bones and drilled into them to peek inside.

They have also used the partial skeleton to estimate the whale's size and weight.

The new Peruvian whale likely weighs more because its bones are denser and heavier than a blue whale’s, Amson explained.

The density of the bones suggests the whale may have spent its time in shallow, coastal waters, the authors said as other coastal dwellers, like manatees, have heavy bones.

This helps them stay close to the seafloor, experts said.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BLASTED FOR 'HYPOCRISY' ON OFFSHORE WIND AS IT SCRAMBLES TO PROBE WHALE DEATHS

Amson said without the skull, scientists cannot be sure what the whale was eating to sustain its huge body.

Its diet may have consisted of scavenging food or eating up tons of krill and other tiny sea creatures in the water.

Thewissen noted he "wouldn’t be surprised if this thing actually fed in a totally different way that we would never imagine."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kaela Dozé is happy she can hold her father's hand and speak to him again after a harrowing incident that left him in the hospital stunned their entire family. 

Her father, Charles Dozé, a deputy in Washington County, Oregon, managed to survive and is now awake and talking after suffering several gunshot wounds to the face, arm and chest while serving an eviction notice at an apartment complex last Wednesday.

"If anyone deserves a second chance like this, it's my father," Dozé said Wednesday on "Fox & Friends First," telling host Carley Shimkus her dad's recovery is going well.

TEMPLE POLICE SHOOTING SUSPECT SHOT OFFICER 3 MORE TIMES AS COP LAY ON GROUND WITH HEAD WOUND: OFFICIALS

"I was just so happy I was going to be able to hold his hand and hug him again. I couldn't imagine not having my dad to call and get his guidance through life. It was just so sudden and getting that phone call… I'll never forget," she added.

The incident took place at Forest Rim Apartment complex in Tualatin – a suburb of metropolitan Portland. Suspect 34-year-old Kristafer James Graves reportedly fired shots through the door, striking Dozé. 

"They were ambushed at the door," Washington County Police Officers Association President Patrick Altiere said, according to KGW-TV in Portland. "They knocked on the door, and they weren’t greeted by a person, they were greeted by gunfire."

OREGON DA SAYS SOARING CRIME RATES ARE A ‘TRAGIC RESULT’ OF DECRIMINALIZING HARD DRUGS

One of the deputies fired back though it is unclear which one. The suspect was later found dead in the apartment's bathroom after suffering a gunshot wound. The outlet reported it is unclear whether the shot was self-inflicted or if he was struck by officers.

The investigation is ongoing.

Charles Dozé lost his left eye and suffered nerve damage in his left hand because of the incident. 

"Those are going to be the hardest things to overcome through therapy," Kaela said. She told Shimkus her father was shot a total of seven times – twice in his chest, twice in his head, once in both elbows and once in the rib.

OREGON MURDER SUSPECT FOUND HIDING UNDER BLANKET IN CLOSET AFTER ESCAPING COURTHOUSE

When she heard the news about her father, she panicked, not knowing how severe his injuries were or where the wounds were located. She did know, however, that he was alert and conscious while being transmitted to the hospital via LifeFlight.

"That was something I could be positive about at the time," she said. "But all I knew was I had to get on a plane immediately and get to Oregon."

A week later, he still faces an extended recovery, but with support from his community and beyond.

As of early Wednesday, over 170 people have donated to a GoFundMe organized on behalf of Dozé's family. The fundraiser had amassed $75,000 of its $105,000 goal at the time.

Kaela said after her father woke up in the hospital, he told his family that he loved them.

"He told me and my mom that he loves us, and he's so happy to be there. It was miraculous to hear him talk that night at two in the morning. I was so happy in that moment I got to hold his hand and he saw us, and he acknowledged us. I was feeling complete joy in that moment," she said.

For more Culture, Media, Education, Opinion, and channel coverage, visit foxnews.com/media.