The 10 Smallest Animals In The World
Although throughout history human beings have sought to know their environment and the species that surround them, there are still many small animals that have not been discovered: the large and impenetrable jungles still hold many secrets. However, man’s curiosity led him to identify certain very small species.
Most of these animals, despite their tiny size, are affected by deforestation and the destruction of their habitats, a situation that also puts unknown species at risk. Next, you’ll find out which are the 10 smallest animals in the world, from smallest to largest.
1. White mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus)
Although there are many other very small arachnids, the white mite ( Polyphagotarsonemus latus ), with a tiny size between 0.2 and 0.3 millimeters, is known as the smallest arachnid in the world. Females are slightly larger than males and generally inhabit agricultural crops, so they are considered a pest.
2. The insect Scydosella musawasensis
In the case of insects, this animal can only be observed under a scanning electron microscope, as its size is between 0.325 and 0.352 millimeters. It was discovered in Nicaragua in 1999, but only in 2015 was it possible to determine its average size. The cause of this delay is the tedious method required to study it.
3. Carp of the genus Paedocypris
This small fish is 7.9 millimeters long and has a curious skull that allows you to observe its brain. Their habitat is the swamps of Sumatra and Indonesia, which are being destroyed by deforestation. It has solitary habits and its food source is plankton.
4. The frog Eleutherodactylus iberia
This tiny amphibian ( Eleutherodactylus iberia ) is the size of a human fingernail. The smallest specimen of this species measures 8.5 millimeters and is present in Cuba and North America. It is a poisonous species, which is evidenced by its vivid colors. This is because the arachnids it feeds on provide it with toxins to defend itself.
Females can measure up to 10.5 millimeters, so they are slightly larger than males. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as a critically endangered species.
5. Bargibant seahorse
This species ( Hippocampus bargibanti ) lives in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, especially in corals near Indonesia, at a depth of between 13 and 40 meters. It lives in corals called gorgonians and its body is covered with tubers to mimic itself. These animals tend to cluster and up to 28 pairs were seen in the same gorgonian.
6. Brookesia micro
If we talk about chameleons, this is one of the smallest animals in the world. Their average size is 2.5 centimeters and they inhabit the island of Madagascar. These reptiles have a diurnal behavior and at night climb branches up to 10 centimeters high to sleep. Physically, they are just like a normal chameleon, but in a mini version .
7. Cuban bee hummingbird
Also called zunzuncito , the Cuban bee hummingbird ( Mellisuga helenae ) is the smallest known bird species. It measures about 5 centimeters from the tip to the tip of the tail and does not exceed 2 grams in weight. It is native to Cuba and was first exposed to the world in 1850. This hummingbird can flap its wings about 80 times a second on any given flight, remaining in the air for a long time.
As a curious fact, it should be noted that this is the bird with the highest body temperature of the entire taxon, around 40 degrees Celsius. On the other hand, it is the bird with the least amount of feathers in the world.
8. jaculus jaculus
The Dipodinae are a subfamily of rodents that inhabit the North Africa and Asia. They are very curious and playful animals, often compared to kangaroos for their way of moving on their heels.
They measure approximately 8 centimeters from head to tail, slightly longer than other rodents. One of the smallest species included in this taxon is Jaculus jaculus.
9. Leptotyphlops Carlae
It is a very small and harmless species of snake that does not exceed 10 centimeters in length. It was discovered on the island of Barbados in 2008 and feeds on ant larvae and termites. Due to its size, it has no fangs or venom, and is also totally blind.
10. Pygmy marmoset
The pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea ) shares the position of the world’s smallest monkeys with the lemur. In adulthood, it does not exceed 35 centimeters in length and 100 grams in weight. Its habitat is the rainforests of the Amazon divided between Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador. Like other animals, it is threatened, but the situation is considered to be of little concern.
As you can see, the smallest animals in the world come in different sizes and almost every group has a candidate on the list. These living beings are present on almost every continent, however, due to their tiny size, they are constantly facing extinction due to man-made deforestation.
