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It’s a massive world out there, but amidst the roaming giants and even our own moderately-sized
selves are critters that somehow avoid being crushed on a daily basis.
We’ve broken out the magnifying glass and scoured high and low to round up the world’s
ten smallest animals.
Though a part of the animal kingdom, we’ve omitted insects to keep this list from getting
quite buggy.
And of course our videos are no small things, but we wouldn’t want you to overlook a single
one.
So as we get started, look closely and you’ll find the subscribe button and little bell
to click on so you’ll be automatically notified whenever we upload a new video.
10.
Speckled Padloper Tortoise It may seem strange to see a tortoise on this
list, but the Homopus signatus, or speckled padloper tortoise, is the world’s smallest
species of tortoise at an average length of 4.3” (11cm).
Named for the speckled dots decorating its carapace, the padloper tortoise is typically
found in rocky environments, dry woodlands and scrublands, typically around regions of
South Africa.
Though its size should make it an easy pick for predators, the tortoise actually benefits
from this trait by squeezing itself into crevices that no larger animal can reach.
9.
African Pigmy Mouse Growing to a maximum average length of 3.1”
(8 cm), half of which being its tail, the African pigmy mouse tops out at a maximum
weight of approximately .4 oz (12 g).
Their tiny and cute figures appeal to pet owners, though they are only expected to live
around two years, making these nocturnal critters very short-term family members.
Their smaller size makes them incredibly fragile pets while their quick speed and ability to
jump 18” (45 cm) can turn a play session into an impossible hunt for one of the world’s
smallest rodents. 8.
Baluchistan Pygmy Jerboa This mini-critter, which grows up to 1.7”
(4.4 cm) in head and body length, looks like it’s about to drop worldly wisdom, but its
scrunched up face is simply a part of its adorable appeal.
While the length of its body may tap out at just under 2”, the small creature’s tail
can reach four times the length of its torso and head.
Jerboa can be found within the Pakistani deserts and move around by hopping on their noticeably
large feet.
7.
Etruscan Shrew The smallest terrestrial mammal, this miniaturized
shrew only grows to approximately 1.3” (3.5 cm) long and weighs approximately .063 oz
(1.8 g).
You’ll find the pygmy shrew skittering about in the damp climates of Europe and North Africa
and within the Maltese islands.
To stay alive and combat its super-fast metabolism, the Etruscan shrew eats upwards of 2 times
its body weight per day, surviving on a diet consisting mostly of insects, earthworms,
and vertebrates like juvenile amphibians and rodents.
6.
Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat Though the Etruscan shrew is considered the
smallest terrestrial mammal, it’s this hog-nosed bat that is often considered world’s smallest
mammal by length.
The pig-snouted bat, also known as the bumblebee bat, measures no more than 1.3” (33 mm)
in length and .071 oz (2 g) in weight, making it smaller but heavier than the shrew.
Beyond its distinctive nose, the bat has large ears and lengthy wings that help it hover
over longer distances.
While facing a downward trend in population, the hog-nosed bat can be observed in western
Thailand and southeast Burma, hidden within the limestone caves.
5.
Bee Hummingbird Considered the smallest bird in the world,
the bee hummingbird comes in at only 2.36” (6 cm) including its beak and sports a wingspan
of up to 1.28” (3.25 cm).
On average, this quick-winged bird will weigh a maximum of .07 oz (1.9g), making it a dwarf
compared to the largest species of hummingbird.
Found typically within lowland regions, the bee hummingbird is non-migratory and has been
clocked at a speed of around 30 mph (48 km/h).
Should they survive in the big bad wilds, bee hummingbirds are expected to live up to
seven years.
4.
Thorius Arboreus If not for the female gender of this species
of salamander, the Arboreal minute salamander, or Thorius arboreus, would be the smallest
known amphibian in the world.
Growing to lengths of .79” (20 mm), this salamander sports a wide head and pointed
snout, big eyes and a red dorsal stripe, along with other possible ornamental patterns.
In 2004, the status of the Arboreal minute salamander was changed to endangered despite
being able to withstand minor alterations to its environment.
A native to Mexico, you’ll likely find this rare species in the Sierra de Juarez in north-central
Oaxaca. 3.
Dwarf Gecko Within the Sphaerodactylus genus you’ll
find two incredibly tiny lizards – the Virgin Islands dwarf gecko and the Jaragua sphaero.
On average, both measure up to .71” (18 mm) in length and weigh a mere .0053 oz (.15g).
As their names indicate, the Jaragua sphaero are found within Jaragua National Park in
the Dominican Republic while the Virgin Islands dwarf gecko can be found, well, we’re sure
you can figure that one out.
In 2011, Sir Richard Branson sought to introduce lemurs into the ecology for captive breeding,
raising concerns of the conservation of one of the world’s smallest lizards.
Ultimately, Branson held off on releasing the lemurs pending review of the effect on
the miniature geckos. 2.
Paedocypris Progenetica With the longest specimen measuring just over
.4” (10mm), the paedocypris, a cyprinid found within the waters of Southeast Asia,
is the smallest known fish swimming about our waters.
Paedocypris can be found swimming in the murky waters of the peat swamps of Sumatra – that
is if you have the proper equipment to see one.
Due to their size, this miniature fish is able to survive in severe drought conditions
as it requires very little water to move around in and can actually survive in small puddles.
1.
Paedophryne Amauensis When an animal is able to sit on a dime and
still have room for one or two more of its species, you know there’s no denying how
super tiny it is.
At an average length of .3” (7.7mm), this New Guinean amphibian is not only the smallest
frog to date but also the smallest known vertebrate.
From their tiny size to their high-pitched, al most inaudible call, this mini-frog is
no easy find, especially in the litter of leaves they live within.
Initially discovered in 2010, the fly-sized croaker wasn’t revealed to the world until
2012.
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