Which is the Smallest Animal?
Determining the absolute smallest animal depends on how you define "smallest"—by weight or by length. Several sources point to different contenders depending on this criteria.
The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus) is frequently cited as the world's smallest mammal by weight. These tiny creatures can weigh as little as 1.5 grams and measure between 36-52 millimeters in length. [Source: Horniman Museum, Livescience]
- Weight: As little as 1.5 grams
- Length: 36-52 millimeters
Smallest by Length: A Contender's Field
Pinpointing the absolute smallest animal by length is more challenging, as numerous microscopic organisms exist. While many sources highlight the Etruscan shrew for its incredibly low weight, defining the "smallest" animal requires considering length as well. There isn't a single universally agreed upon answer in the literature.
Many smaller invertebrates and even microscopic organisms could potentially be considered as candidates for the smallest animal by body length. For example:
- Bumblebee Bats: Often cited as competing with the Etruscan shrew for the title of smallest mammal. [Source: Live Science]
- Paedophryne amauensis: This is the world’s smallest frog, discovered in New Guinea. [Source: OneKind Planet]
- Microscopic Organisms: Many single-celled or extremely small multicellular organisms exist, whose sizes are difficult to compare to those of larger animals.
The smallest animal's identification depends heavily on the chosen measuring criteria. Therefore, several species can claim a title depending on whether it's defined by weight or length.
