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We’ve brought you BIG. We’ve brought you scary. We’ve
even brought you the slightly paranormal… Now it’s time for the
smallest. But don’t expect all fluff and cuddle – some of these animals
are still pretty weird. Still, some of them are SO small to the human
eye, you wonder how they even GOT discovered!
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Pygmy Marmoset
The pygmy marmoset is one of the world’s smallest monkey breeds. Grown
ones weigh only 4 oz. to 5 oz. (110 g to 140 g) and grow to be a mere 6
in. (15 cm) long. They live in the Amazon rain forest, where they do
charming things like leap between trees and eat insects and tree sap.
Pygmy marmosets have sharp teeth and claws, but they are relatively
docile and a favorite in the exotic-pet trade. |
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Miniature Horse
Miniature horses are found in many nations, particularly in Europe and
the Americas. The designation of miniature horse is determined by the
height of the animal, which, depending on the particular breed registry
involved, is usually less than 34–38 inches .
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Bee Hummingbirds
The Bee Hummingbird or Zunzuncito is a species of hummingbird that is
endemic to dense forests and woodland edges on the main island of Cuba
and on the Isla de la Juventud, also part of the nation of Cuba. With a
mass of approximately 1.6–2 g (0.056–0.071 oz) and a length of 5–6 cm
(2.0–2.4 in), it is the smallest living bird. |
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Philippine Tarsiers
The Philippine tarsier is an endangered species of tarsier endemic to
the Philippines. It is a member of the approximately 45 million year old
family Tarsiidae,whose name is derived from its elongated “tarsus” or
ankle bone. The Philippine tarsier, (Tarsius syrichta) is very peculiar
small animal. In fact it is one of the smallest known primates, no
larger than a adult men’s hand. Mostly active at night, it lives on a
diet of insects. |
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Fennec Fox
The fennec fox or fennec is a small nocturnal fox found in the Sahara of
North Africa. Its most distinctive feature is its unusually large ears,
which serve to dissipate heat. The fennec fox is the smallest of all the
world’s foxes, but its large ears, measuring 6 inches (15 centimeters),
appear to be on loan from a bigger relative.
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Panda Cow
Panda cow is a breed of miniature cattle with markings that resemble
those of a giant panda. There are reportedly only 24 in the world, as of
January 2011. Also known as the miniature panda cow, it is the result of
a mutation. its markings include a white belt around the animal’s
midsection, and a white panda-like face with black markings around the
eyes.
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Pygmy Rabbit
The Pygmy Rabbit is the smallest rabbit. It is found in North America.
The adult pygmy rabbit weighs about 400 g having a body length of 24cm
to 29cm; females are slightly larger than males. They are generally
limited to areas on deep soils with tall, dense sagebrush which they use
for cover and food. Extensive, well-used runways interlace sage thickets
and provide travel and escape routes from predators such as weasels.
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Paedocypris
World’s smallest fish: The species of fish belongs to the carp family
and is called Paedocypris progenetica . It is the world’s smallest
vertebrate or backboned animal. The tiny, see-through Paedocypris fish
have the appearance of larvae and have a reduced head skeleton, which
leaves the brain unprotected by bone. They live in dark tea-coloured
waters with an acidity of pH3, which is at least 100 times more acidic
than rainwater.
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Golden Frog
The Panamanian golden frog is a critically endangered toad which is
endemic to Panama. It has been considered a subspecies of A. varius, but
is now generally regarded as a separate species. The smallest frog in
the Southern Hemisphere is the Gold or Brazilian Frog (Psyllophryne
Didactyla). Adult Gold Frogs measure grow to only 9.8 millimetres in
body length (with legs drawn in). Equally small is the smallest frog in
the Northern Hemisphere, only recently discovered (1996) in Monte
Iberia, Cuba. It doesn’t have a common name yet, but its scientific name
is Eleutherodactylus iberia.
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