Animals come in all sizes and shapes, from large elephants to microscopic bacteria.
But in this article we will look at the smallest animals on the planet, which amaze with their tiny size and amazing adaptations to their habitat.
Guinea frog
The Guinea frog (Paedophryne amauensis) is considered the smallest frog in the world. It is only 7.7 mm long, which allows it to fit on the tip of a human finger.
These frogs live in the tropical forests of New Guinea and are known for their ability to change the color of their skin to hide from predators.
Nano-chameleon
The nano chameleon (Brookesia nana) is the smallest chameleon on the planet. The animal is only 29 mm long, making it barely noticeable in the palm of a person's hand. They live in Madagascar and are known for their ability to change the color of their skin to match their environment.
Hog-nosed bat
The hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) is only 3 cm long and weighs less than 2 grams. Found in Thailand and Myanmar, it feeds primarily on nectar, making it unique among bat species.
Etruscan shrew
The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus) is the smallest mammal on the planet. Its size is only 3-4 cm, and its weight is less than 2 grams. They live in Europe and Asia. Their diet usually consists of insects, spiders and other small animals.
Dwarf Flying Couscous
The pygmy flying cuscus (Alulatettix sp.) lives in New Guinea, feeds on fruits and insects. The baby grows to only 7-8 cm in length, weighing less than 10 grams. However, this does not prevent the animal from climbing trees up to 40 m in height in search of food and gliding over a distance 100 times the length of its body.
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American shrew mole
The American shrew mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the smallest species of shrew in the world. The animal is only 8-10 cm long and weighs less than 20 grams. They live in North America and feed on insects, worms, and other small animals.
Northern marsupial mouse
The northern marsupial mouse (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) is up to 3 cm long and weighs less than 2 grams. It lives in New Guinea and feeds on insects and flower nectar.
Dwarf mouse lemur
The pygmy mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus) is the smallest species of lemur in the world: they reach only 9-10 cm in length and weigh less than 30 grams. They live in Madagascar, feed on fruits, insects and bird eggs.
Pygmy Marmoset
The pygmy marmoset (Solenodon paradoxus) is a tiny animal (height - 11-15 cm, weight - less than 50 g), living in Haiti. It feeds on insects, worms and other small animals.
Pygmy antelope
Residents of West African countries, where the antelope lives, call it the "hare king" for its resemblance to a hare. Despite its tiny size (up to 25 cm tall), in case of danger the animal can jump 2.5 m long and 55 cm high.
Although these animals are tiny in size, they are of great importance to the ecosystems in which they live.
Many of them have amazing adaptations, such as changing skin colour or feeding on flower nectar. They are also subject to threats, such as habitat loss and human hunting, and need our protection and conservation.
Earlier we talked about a list of products that are contraindicated to give to your four-legged friends.
