Our world is filled with incredible animals, but I bet there are some you’ve never seen before. Wonder why?
Well, some of these animals are so tiny that they easily hide and stay out of sight. If you wish to discover who they are, here’s a list of the 10 smallest animals in the world.
1. Etruscan Shrew
The Etruscan Shrew holds the title of the smallest mammal in the world. These tiny creatures can reach a size of 1.6 inches and weigh only 1.8 grams. Despite their size, they have an incredibly fast metabolism. They can be found in warm and moist areas, where they feed on insects and small invertebrates.
2. Bee Hummingbird
The Bee Hummingbird is the world’s smallest bird, which can be found only in Cuba. It’s around 2 inches long and weighs about 2.6 grams. They are extraordinary creatures with stunning appearances, and the female’s eggs are about the size of a coffee bean.
3. Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat
Also known as the bumblebee bat, Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat is the smallest bat species, weighing less than two grams and measuring around 1.1 — 1.3. These bats are known for their hog-like snout with thin nostrils and large ears.
4. Madame Berthe’s Mouse Lemur
This species of mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the world, with an average body length of about 3.6 inches and a weight of up to 33 grams. They are identified by their reddish fur with a darker midline stripe on their back and tail.
5. Pygmy Possum
Pygmy Possums grow to about 2–4 inches in length and weigh between 10 and 50 grams. These nocturnal animals, with large eyes, ears, and long whiskers, mainly feed on nectar and pollen from eucalyptus and similar plants.
6. Narrow-Nosed Planigale
Narrow-nosed planigales are small creatures, weighing less than 10 grams. They’re characterized by a triangular-shaped head and a long, thin tail. These creatures usually feed on insects and small lizards.
7. African Pygmy Mouse
The African Pygmy Mouse is one of the smallest rodents that can be 1.2–1.3 inches long and weigh from 2 to 12 grams. Believe it or not, these tiny mice are often kept as pets, but they function best when kept in pairs or small colonies.
8. American Shrew Mole
This is the tiniest species of mole that is about 3.9 inches long and can weigh around 10 grams. They are often active above ground, feeding mainly on leaf litter, insects, and earthworms.
9. Long-Tailed Planigale
The long-tailed planigale is a smaller rodent than the previously mentioned narrow-nosed planigale. They can be long around 0.12–0.16 inches. These creatures are rarely seen but usually inhabit black soil plains and seasonally flooded grasslands.
Have you heard of any of these extraordinary creatures before?