10 Smallest animals on Earth
Watching your favorite celebrity store a tiny Chihuahuas in the wallet is enough to get amazed at the sight of the tiny animal. And whenever someone tells you about small animals, your mind immediately conjures up photos of baby animals, teacup pigs, and other small animals. But much to the geographical knowledge, there are creatures that look so tiny in the adult forms that people can miss them in the wild!
However, thinking that all these animals are fuzzy and soft is a sheer misconception. Some are slimy, while others are furry too! That calls for enlightening you about these tiny animals! To present a narrative about these creatures, here’s elucidating the top 10 smallest animals on earth. Buck up before we present you the narration that breaks down the world’s 10 cutest and tiniest creatures that can grab anyone’s attention!
Elucidating world’s cutest & tiniest creatures:
#1 Kitti’s hog-nosed bat
If there are any “never-threatened” species of bat on earth, it’s Kitti’s hog-nosed bat. Calling it the smallest mammal in the world is inarguably true. It features a grey or reddish-brown coat and has a typical pig-like snout.
It feeds during the shorter activity periods in either the dawn or dusk. It ranges from 1.1 to 1.3 in (29 to 33 mm) in length and weighs 2 g (or 0.071 Oz) in total.
#2 American Shrew Mole
It’s referred to as the smallest species of the mole, and it’s the only member of Neurotrichus and Neurotrichini. Measuring around 4.72 inches in length, it’s pretty much different in terms of its appearance.
It does not feature external ears. Its minuscule eyes can attract any animal lover at an immediate glance. And not to forget, these bundles of micro-cuteness dwelling underground have tiny front paws.
American shrew moles are braver than other moles as they spend more time above the soil. And one can spot them in groups of 10 or more.
#3 Least Weasel
The finicky and little weasels are the smallest species of Carnivora order. That makes them the tiniest true carnivore of the globe. North American male species reach 7 inches, while females can grow to a maximum of 5 inches and weighs below 1.5 ounces.
#4 Long-Tailed Planigale
These are the smallest marsupials of the world and are native to significant regions of Australia. They are so small that they do not even weigh 15 ounces. Length-wise, their average size is 2.32 inches that also includes its tail!
Because they have flattened heads, they can easily squeeze into cracks and crevices, and their small size gives them additional perks! No matter how cutely you appreciate their physical appearance, these nocturnal carnivores are fierce and hunt insects and other young mammals too!
#5 Etruscan Shrew
While there’s a range of small shrews, this one can be called the smallest. It’s the smallest of all by mass, weighing just 0.14 ounces and measuring 1.57 inches only.
#6 Pygmy Marmoset
Owing to their size that can get fit into a book-pocket, people also call them pocket-monkeys. Their inquisitive eyes speak everything about their behavioral aspects. They are extremely adorable monkeys as they are the smallest amongst all.
It’s right next to impossible even to imagine a monkey measuring just about 5.35 inches and weighing around 4.2 ounces. Their sharp nails and teeth are their perk of gouging holes in the trees. This is how they eat gums, sap, and resins, besides insects.
#7 African Pygmy Mouse
Although mice are regarded for their tiny sizes, the one that takes this trait to the ultimate is the African Pygmy Mouse. If you’re curious about its length and weight, you’ll be even more amazed at hearing it.
They weigh around 0.11 ounces and measure around 1.2-3.1 inches! They keep themselves hydrated for hours by licking tiny pebbles’ dews. For some, they are a source of entertainment. But the only thing that owners need to consider is being delicate as they are immensely fragile.
#8 Pygmy Possum
They range from 2 to 4 inches in length and weight over 0.35 ounces. These tiny marsupials can be found hanging in trees in New Guinea and Australia, and that too upside down!
#9 Mouse Lemurs
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to call them the world’s tiniest primates. After all, they measure around 11 inches and weigh up to 3.62 inches in length.
#10 Pen-Tailed Tree Shrew
People might feel it extremely astounding to know that it’s the only mammal that consumes alcohol. Yes, pen-tailed treeshrew drinks 10 to 12 glasses of naturally fermented wine that contains 3.8% of alcohol.
It’s, interestingly, the only mammal that spends several hours at night consuming the Bertram palm’s naturally fermented nectar. The nectar comprises the highest concentration of alcohol in natural foods. As per its size, it weighs 1.41 ounces and measures hardly 5 inches.
Summing Up
In terms of height and weight, the aforesaid list can be considered as the most significant one that mentions the smallest animals of the world precisely and thoroughly.
