10 smallest animals on Earth and where they are found
W
hile some animals are known for their massive size and power, others capture attention simply by being incredibly tiny. Here are 10 of the smallest animals from around the world.
Paedophryne Amauensis
(7.7 mm)
Found in the rainforests of New Guinea, this little frog is the world's smallest known vertebrate. Only 7.7 mm long, it could easily sit on the tip of your finger. It lives on leaf litter and is so small that its croak sounds more like a bug's chirp.
Paedocypris (7.9 mm)
This tiny fish, which inhabits Indonesia's peat swamps in Sumatra. It is barely 8 mm long making it shorter than a grain of rice. Paedocypris lives in acidic conditions in which only few other animals can.
Its translucent body and tolerance to poor conditions make this fish a marvel of evolution.
Slender Blind Snake (11 cm)
Looking more like a piece of thread than a snake, the Slender Blind Snake is a master of the underground. Only about 11 cm long, it tunnels through soil across the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Blind and venom-free, it preys on ants and termites, extracting nutrients with surgical precision.
Kitti's Hog-Nosed Bat
(30–40 mm)
Commonly referred to as the Bumblebee Bat, this wing wonder is the world's smallest bat and lighter than a penny.
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Found in Thailand and Myanmar, it inhabits caves and measures 30–40 mm in length. Its pig-like nose is what it's named after. Despite its size, it plays a big role in insect control.
Speckled Padloper Tortoise (6–10 cm)
This tiny tortoise from South Africa measures only 6 to 10 cm, making it the smallest in the world. They are covered in speckled shells that blend with the rocky terrain. They forage on small plants and squeeze into crevices to escape predators.
Though small, they have a strong survival instinct that makes them unique.
Etruscan Shrew
(36–53 mm)
With a weight of only up to 2.7 grams, the Etruscan Shrew is the smallest mammal on the planet. It measures only 36–53 mm in length yet has a brain to body ratio larger than that of humans. Found across Europe and parts of Asia, this insectivore eats constantly to keep up its energy.
Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur (92 mm)
Found only in Madagascar, this is the smallest primate in the world at just 92 mm long.
With big eyes and a curious face, it's active at night, darting through treetops in search of insects and fruit. Its mini size allows it to move silently and hide easily. This mouse lemur is named after conservationist Berthe Rakotosamimanana.
Pygmy Marmoset (14–16 cm)
Known as the world's smallest monkey, the Pygmy Marmoset is native to the Amazon rainforest. At just 14–16 cm long (excluding the tail) and weighing about 100 grams, they look like adorable plush toys.
These agile climbers live in treetops and communicate with whistles and squeaks. They're fast, social, and fun to watch and a little mischievous.
Pygmy Rabbit (24–29 cm)
The pygmy rabbit is the most petite of the rabbit species. They are located predominantly in North America. They weigh only 400 grams and reach a length of 24–29 cm. Their short ears, round shape, and soft coat ensure that they are geared towards life in cold climates.
Bee Hummingbird
(5.7 cm)
The globe's smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird, inhabits Cuba alone. It measures 5.7 cm and weighs less than a dime. It zips around like a bee and even makes the same noise. Though small, it flips its wings 80 times per second and constructs a nest as big as a bottle cap.
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