The World’s Smallest Animals Part 1

What are the world”s smallest animals? A monkey that fits in the palm of your hands and a bat lighter than a coin are among the tiniest of their kind. Check out the other “small guys” that made the list!

Smallest True Monkey

The Pygmy Marmoset or Dwarf Monkey (Cebuella pygmaea) is the world”s smallest true monkey. The species live high in the rainforest canopy of South America. Adults measure around 117 to 152 millimeters (4.6 to 6.0 in) in head-body length and a tail of 172 to 229 millimeters (6.8 to 9.0 in). The average adult body weight is just over 100 grams (3.5 oz). To picture this out; a full-grown pygmy marmoset could fit in an adult human”s hand, and it weighs about as much as a stick of butter!

Smallest Butterfly

With a wingspan no bigger than 1.3 centimeters (0.5 inch), the Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis) is the the smallest in North America and possibly the smallest known butterfly in the world. Although not the brightest of butterflies, its delicate markings make it stand out.

Smallest Antelope

The Royal Antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus), native to West Africa”s lowland rainforest is the world”s smallest antelope. The shy, light brown colored cute little guy stands about 25 cm (10 inches) and weighs 2.5–3 kg (5.5–7 pounds). A calf is small enough to fit into an average person”s open hand.

Smallest Crocodilian

The Cuvier”s Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) is the smallest extant species of crocodilian. Native to northern and central South America, full-grown males can reach up to 1.6 meters (5.2 feet) in total length. Females can measure up to 1.2 meters (3.9 ft). The tiny crocodilian is also called Cuvier”s smooth-fronted caiman and Musky caiman.

Smallest Fish

Discovered in swamp forests of Sumatra in 2006, the Paedocypris Carp (Paedocypris progenetica) is the world”s smallest fish! At only 7.9 mm at maturity, the tiny carp is also considered the smallest vertebrate. The species has a rudimentary skull which leaves the brain unprotected and is known for their ability to live in water with high levels of acidity.

Smallest Primate

The world”s smallest living primate is the Madame Berthe”s Mouse Lemur (Microcebus berthae). The new lemur species was discovered in Madagascar. The nocturnal creature has an average body length of 9.2 cm (3.6 in), tail length of 12 to 14 cm, and weighs around 30 grams (1.1 oz).

Smallest Rabbit

The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is the smallest rabbit. The kitten-sized rabbits is found in North America. Once on the verge of extinction, full -grown pygmy rabbit measures from 23.5-29.5 centimeters (9.3-11.6 in) and weighs from 375-500 grams (0.827-1.102 lb). Females are slightly larger than males.

Smallest Snake

The Barbados Threadsnake (Leptotyphlops carlae) is the world’s smallest species of snake. This species is found in the Caribbean islands of Barbados. At about ten cm long (less than four inches), enough to curl up on a U.S. quarter, the tiny snake might easily be mistaken for an earthworm. Also, the diminutive reptile is as thin as spaghetti noodle.

Smallest Lizard

Measuring 16 millimeters (just over half an inch) long from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail, the Virgin Islands Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) is the world”s tiniest species of lizard. Discovered in 1964, the dark brown lizard is found in three British Virgin Islands, namely, Virgin Gorda, Tortola and Mosquito Island. When fully grown, this miniature lizard is small enough to curl up on a dime!

Smallest Bat

The Kitti”s Hog-nosed Bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) or Bumblebee Bat is the world”s smallest bat, maybe even the smallest mammal. Native to Thailand, this diminutive bat is about 36 to 53 mm (1.4 to 2.1 in) in length, a wingspan of about 170 mm (6.7 inches) and weighs less than two grams (0.071 oz). This odd-looking bat is known for its distinctive pig-like snout and relatively wide wings with long tips.

17 thoughts on “The World’s Smallest Animals Part 1

  1. Sherryl Mae Vallejo

    They are all so cute because they are small, lol. Seriously though, the True Monkey looks adorable.

  2. Travel Quest

    I am amazed with the smallest crocodilian! Looking at it makes me realize even how big are some reptiles just like the crocodile, there is this little creature that is so cute and not that scary to play with. lol. Does it bite?

  3. nova hedges

    Aww they all looks cute even the Bat that kinda scare me a bit is even cuter than I can describe for.

  4. Me-anne Palumar Bojador

    so cutie…they are indeed adorable and you are amaze of how this creatures survive the big world around them…

  5. Teresa Martinez

    Smallest fish looks a lot like dilis..hihi Pedro ankyut ng antelope at bat!

  6. Marie Imperial

    Even with its small size, that crocodilian still looks very nasty and scary.

  7. Leilani Gamboa

    Whoa these animals are so cute! They almost looked like dolls or keychain holders because of their tiny size.

  8. Maria Teresa Figuerres

    tiny animals looks so cute but I am scared to touch any of those, hahaha, really gives me chills.

  9. Franc

    I love the smallest rabbit & butterfly, so cute. It's good to see them in real and touch them.

  10. Just me

    pygmy rabbits are so adorable! It’s too sad to hear that they are endangered. I believe, this this is due to predativity and not human’s fault…

  11. REGINA LIPPERT

    amei muitoooo, o antílope real e o coelho anão são muito fofos, obrigada por nos deleitar com as imagens e pelos pesquisadores que descobrem essas maravilhas

  12. Dawn Holt

    Where and how can I get my own finger monkeys? I have always wanted a monkey and a couple of small ones like these would be a dream come true! My baby girl is all grown up and my grand babies are growing up so fast! I need someone to share all my love with and to take care of, because my grands are not around as much as they used to be and I’m a little lonely .

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