15 Super Tiny Animals That Further Prove Cute Things Come in Small Packages
- 1/16
15 Super Tiny Animals That Further Prove Cute Things Come in Small Packages
When you think of tiny animals, your mind probably conjures up pictures of teacup pigs, baby animals, or itty bitty Chihuahuas that celebs stuff in their purses. But there are a lot of creatures that, even in their adult form, are so tiny you might miss them in the wild. Not only would some of the smallest animals in the world fit in the palm of your hand, but in some cases, you might be able to fit a bunch of them.
Not all of these miniature animals are soft and fuzzy, (don't worry, a lot of them are because there is no better combo than little AND cuddly), but there are also a few slimy creatures that are somehow way less threatening then they are smaller than an iPhone. So get ready to squeal at the unbearable micro cuteness coming your way in the form of the world's smallest animals.
- 2/16
Pika
Don't let that adorable little face fool you! According to the National Wildlife Foundation, this is one of the toughest animals in North America. These rodent like mammals grow to about seven or eight inches and survive in a challenging alpine terrain.
- 3/16
Brookesia Micra
This is not Photoshopped! These are the world's tiniest chameleon's and they were only discovered in 2012. According to Live Science, the juvenile's can fit on the head of a matchstick. The adults are just over a half inch long.
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- 4/16
Pygmy Possum
Put pygmy in front of any animal, and you instantly get the tiniest version of the species. The Pygmy Possum comes from the land down under. According to Bush Heritage Australia, these tree-dwelling marsupials range from 2 to 5 inches when they are fully grown and at most they weigh 50g, which is less than 2 ounces.
- 5/16
Bee Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are already pretty tiny. Audubon says that the world's smallest bird is so little that is often mistaken for a bee (hence the name). If you want to see these little winged marvels, that are just over two inches long, in flight, you'll have to head to Cuba.
- 6/16
Ocotpus Wolfi
Nestled in among the coral she looks practically massive, but according to Octolab.tv, the cephalopod measures about once inch, and weighs about one gram. They can be found in the Western Pacific Ocean around Tahiti.
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- 7/16
Pygmy Marmoset
The San Diego Zoo says that these monkeys weigh about as much as a stick of butter. Growing to 4.6 to 6.2 inches and weight 3 to 5 ounces, they are the smallest monkey on the planet.
- 8/16
Mouse Lemur
Although the Pygmy marmoset's are the smallest monkey species, the mouse lemur is the smallest primate in the world, according to National Geographic. These nocturnal Madagascar residents weigh between 1 and 4 ounces and grow to between 2.25 and 4.75 inches in height. Their tails, however, can be almost that long, growing to about 4.75 inches.
- 9/16
Northern Pygmy Owl
The Owl Research Institute says this diminutive predator, also known as a California or Mountain Pygmy Owl, tips the scales between 2.2 and 2.5 ounces. They grow to about 6 to 7 inches, but that doesn't stop them from taking down medium-sized birds and small mammals like any other birds of prey.
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- 10/16
Fennec Fox
By far the largest animal on this list, but the smallest fox around. Per National Geographic their ears can grow to about 6 inches, but these dainty mammals still only weigh between 2.2 to 3.3 lbs.
- 11/16
Denise's Pygmy Seahorse
Fishes of Australia says that Hippocampus Denise is a master at camouflage, which at less than inch, makes these sea-dwellers even harder to spot in the wild. Like other seahorses, the males of this species also brood their eggs.
- 12/16
Philippine Tarsier
They aren't the smallest primates on the planet, but they are one of the cutest. According to the New England Primate Conservancy, these large eyed creatures only get to be about 6 inches big and weigh less than half a pound. That's a lot of adorable squished into a tiny package.
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- 13/16
Jerboa
If a mouse and a kangaroo had a baby, you might get this teeny little jumping rodent. Their hind limbs are about four times as long as their forelimbs, according to National Geographic, which makes them better at balancing and hopping out of the way of danger.
- 14/16
Barbados Threadsnake
Snakes are gross and terrifying, but maybe less so when they are about the size of a quarter. Also known as Leptotyphlops carlae, the world's smallest snake is thin as spaghetti, according to Reuters, and only grows to about 4 inches long. And don't worry, they aren't venomous.
- 15/16
Monte Iberia Eleuth
This Cuban native, also known as Eletherodactylus Iberia, is the smallest living frog in the Northern Hemisphere, according to Map of Life. This endangered species only reaches about .39 inches (for perspective, a dime is about .7 inches).
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- 16/16
Pygmy Rabbit
These might look like your garden variety bunnies, but these endangered cuties, also known as Brachylagus Idahoensis, will only grow to about 11 inches long and weigh only a pound at most, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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We're obsessed with the Northern Pygmy Owl!