10 of the Smallest Mammals in the World

Though small size can seem to be a minor characteristic, it can have important biological benefits.

Small mammals can inhabit ecological niches that are inaccessible to larger species, and their small stature allows them to hide undetected, burrow into minor crevices, and climb onto the flimsiest of branches.

They're also really adorable. The following is a list of some of the world's tiniest mammals.

1. Etruscan Shrew

There are a lot of tiny shrews, but this pipsqueak is the tiniest of them all. By mass, the Etruscan shrew is the world's tiniest mammal. It has a body length of around 1.57 inches and weights less than.14 ounces on average.

It does, however, have a massive appetite for such a small animal, eating about twice its own body weight every day.

2. Pygmy Jerboa

Pygmy jerboas are the smallest rodents on the planet, belonging to the rodent subfamily Cardiocraniinae. Their bodies are 1.6 inches long, and their tails can reach 3 inches in length.

These tiny mammals have a lot of jumping skills for their age. Jerboas have kangaroo-like legs that enable them to jump distances much greater than their body lengths, an adaptation that enables them to travel rapidly across the vast, arid deserts of Northern Africa and Asia.

3. Bumblebee Bat

The bumblebee bat, also known as the Kitti's hog-nosed bat, is the world's tiniest bat and the world's tiniest mammal by skull size. It's so thin, weighing around.07 ounces (less than a penny) and measuring 1.14 inches in length, that you could mistake it for a bumblebee if it buzzed by your ear in the middle of the night.

Unfortunately, its delicate scale reflects its biological state. The species is classified as near endangered by the IUCN, and a few roosting populations are in danger of extinction due to human activities.

4. Mouse Lemurs

These cute primates are the smallest in the world, reaching up to 11 inches in length including their tails. The Madame Berthe's mouse lemur is the tiniest of the species, measuring only 3.62 inches long and weighing less than an ounce.

These omnivores, which are around the size of softballs, consume mainly "honeydew," a sugary byproduct of insect digestion. Despite spending the bulk of their time foraging alone, they sleep with other mouse lemurs about half of the time.

5. Least Weasel

The tiniest true carnivore on the planet, this finicky, smart little weasel is the smallest species in the Carnivora order. Male North American least weasels grow to just 7 inches in length, while females grow to 5 inches. It's just about 1.5 ounces in weight.

It's hard to imagine a small rodent being such a cunning killer, but the lesser weasel is the worst nightmare of any small rodent it comes across. They have a much broader, more ferocious personality than their diminutive stature would suggest.

6. Pygmy Possum

These tiny marsupials, which range in length from 2 to 4 inches and weigh just over.35 ounces, can be found hanging upside down in trees in Australia and New Guinea.

One species, the Mountain Pygmy Possum, is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. In Australia's alpine regions, this species has a restricted range. Habitat devastation has been caused by ski resorts, road building, and widespread bushfires. The migratory Bogong moth provides a large portion of their diet and transports arsenic to the mountain from pesticides used in breeding grounds. This, according to scientists, is one of the factors contributing to the population decline.

7. African Pygmy Mouse

Mice are known for their diminutive size, but the African pygmy mouse takes it to the next level. It is the world's smallest rodent, measuring 1.2 to 3.1 inches in length and weighing as little as.11 ounces. It is so small that it keeps itself hydrated by sucking dew from tiny pebbles stacked in front of its burrow.

These elfin mice are kept as pets by some people. However, since they are highly delicate, owners must keep a healthy distance from them.

8. Pygmy Marmoset

These cute, curious animals native to the Amazon rainforest are the world's smallest monkeys, and are often referred to as "pocket monkeys" because they can easily fit into your breast pocket. It's difficult to imagine a monkey being any smaller; pygmy marmosets seldom exceed 5.35 inches in length and weigh around 4.2 ounces.

Their diet is as distinctive as their height. They gouge holes in trees with their sharp teeth and nails and consume the sap, gums, and resins found inside, as well as insects.

In February 2018, evolutionary biologists from the University of Salford published a study revealing that the pygmy marmoset is actually two species, one of which lives in the north Amazon River region and the other in the south.

9. Long-Tailed Planigale

Long-tailed planigales are the world's tiniest marsupials, native to Australia. They measure 2.32 inches in length, including the tail, and weigh less than.15 ounces.

Planigales can fit into crevices and cracks that would be difficult for any other mammal due to their small size and flattened heads. They will use this ability to find food and hide from predators. When they explore these crevices, their pouches face backwards to keep it clean.

These ferocious nocturnal carnivores prey on insects and even young mammals that are almost as big as the planigale.

10. American Shrew Mole

The American shrew mole is the world's tiniest mole species. The length of this tiny animal, including the tail, is 4.72 inches, and it weighs about.35 ounces. The American shrew mole lacks external ears and has tiny eyes that are almost imperceptible.

These cute underground dwellers are found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and British Columbia, Canada. They have smaller front paws than most other moles, which makes them look like shrews. These moles move in groups of 11 or more and stay above ground longer than other moles.

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