Nature’s tiniest survivors: The world’s smallest, rarest creatures

World's smallest mammal

The bumblebee bat, found in Thailand and Myanmar, is just over an inch long. Deforestation threatens this tiny, cave-dwelling mammal.

Tiny rainforest frog

Paedophryne amauensis, the world’s smallest amphibian and vertebrate, lives in Papua New Guinea’s rainforests and feeds on mites and tiny insects.

Miniature lizard hunter

Dwarf geckos from African woodlands grow up to 43mm. With sticky toe pads, they scale trees and rocks to feed on insects.

Spaghetti-sized snake

Barbados threadsnakes, the smallest snake species, measure around 10 cm. They live in the Caribbean and face critical threats from habitat loss.

Bee-sized bird

The bee hummingbird, only found in Cuba, is the tiniest bird and warm-blooded vertebrate. Deforestation has shrunk its population by up to 29%.

Smallest owl species