Larger mammals tend to survive better and live longer than smaller ones, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some amazing exceptions! The six smallest mammals in the world are all animals you’ve probably seen or heard of before. Meet the pygmy antelope, the shrew mole, the bumblebee bat, the pygmy sperm whale, and two others in our list of the World’s 6 Smallest Mammals!
If you’re ready to be overwhelmed by cuteness, get ready to meet six of the world’s smallest mammals. Whether they fit into your hand or can easily fit on a fingertip, these animals are small but mighty in stature. Unlike many larger mammals in existence today, these tiny animals have a lot more room to roam due to their compact size. Here are six examples of small mammals that were perfectly created by Mother Nature over thousands of years.
1) Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis)
The least weasel is a mere 2.5 to 3 inches long and weighs less than half an ounce, making it not only one of the smallest mammals in existence but also one of its smallest carnivores. These wee little predators boast a lifespan of between three and six years—quite respectable for such a tiny animal. Moreover, they have excellent breeding abilities, meaning they reproduce at an above-average rate for their size; litters of up to seven pups are not uncommon for these furry fellows.
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2) Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus)
With a snout-to-body length of just 2.5 cm (1 in), tiny Sorex minutus is barely bigger than a grain of rice. In fact, it's probably one of the smallest mammals on earth. The pygmy shrew was first discovered in 1928 in California's Napa Valley and is only found there today. It was listed as threatened by Californian officials but never federally protected, despite its endangered status at state level.
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3) Etruscan Shrew (Suncus etruscus)
The Etruscan shrew, native to central and southern Italy, is one of the smallest mammals on Earth. It’s so small that it can crawl inside a matchbox! Don’t be fooled by its tiny size – weighing in at about 2 grams and measuring 2 inches from nose to tail-tip, it’s more than capable of scaring away predators.
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4) Cape Shrew (Scutisorex somereni)
Shrews are some of nature’s most efficient predators. Yet, surprisingly, there is at least one species that makes itself even smaller to avoid prey. The Cape shrew (Scutisorex somereni) of South Africa can grow up to 12 inches long and weigh a mere 0.3 ounce—smaller than a mouse.
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5) Jentink's Spiny Mouse (Acomys jentinki)
A tiny rodent with a spiny tail and soft, white fur that lives in Africa, Jentink’s Spiny Mouse weighs just 1.7 ounces (48 grams) and measures 2 inches (5 centimeters) long. Native to southwest Ethiopia and Somalia, these little rodents spend their days hiding in burrows or under logs, scampering into hiding when they feel threatened. They are also nocturnal animals who sleep during the day and come out at night to hunt for insects like ants and termites. As you might imagine, being so small makes them easy prey for larger predators such as owls and snakes. Luckily, Jentink’s Spiny Mice have adapted over time to avoid being eaten by developing an incredibly fast metabolism that allows them to survive on fewer calories than other mice of similar size would need. In fact, scientists believe that these mice can go up to six months without eating!
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