smallest mammal.

stirling · #1 (**permalink**) 31-08-2007, 04:08 PM

Does anyone know what is the smallest mammal in the world?

Guy F · #2 (**permalink**) 31-08-2007, 06:04 PM

I think that the smallest mammal is the Bumblebee Bat, possibly from South Asia. Again, I'm not sure about exact sizes.
Guy

stirling · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2007, 09:21 AM

Thanks guy,never heard of that one before.
Best from mike.

goosey · #4 (**permalink**) 26-10-2007, 04:28 PM

Guy is right Bumblebee bats (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) are the smallest mamals in the world. They are only between 2.9 and 3.3cm long and weigh between 1.7and 2grammes.
They are found in Thailand where they live in caves, in small crevices formed by stalactites. They feed at dusk when they are most active, on insects in or above bamboo and teak trees. They are another species under threat from deforestation by the teak logging industry.

rosemaryrae · #5 (**permalink**) 23-11-2007, 03:57 PM

thank you- I needed to confirm this last fact for a book on mammals for children- seems to be two candidates for smallest- I'm pleased with this one!

goosey · #6 (**permalink**) 23-11-2007, 04:25 PM

Hi rosemaryrae, welcome to WAW! I'm glad we could prove useful on your first visit. I hope to see you around - enjoy

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animal_instincts · #7 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 02:28 AM

I tried looking it up and several websites actually said that the title of "smallest mammal in the world" is still contentious. It's a battle between the Bumblebee Bat and pygmy shrew. But most websites agree that it is more definitely the bat.

goosey · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by animal_instincts

I tried looking it up and several websites actually said that the totle of "smallest mammal in the world" is still contentious. It's a battle between the Bumblebee Bat and pygmy shrew. But most websites agree that it is more definitely the bat.

Hi and welcome to WATW.
Thats interesting, can you tell us where Totles can be found in the world or any other details? I have just tried several connotations looking for info' on totles on my search engine and it came up with nothing. Bumblebee Bats and pygmy shrews were the only things mentioned going down the 'smallest mamal" route. I didn't spend ages, so it may be there and I just didn't find it, so seeing as you have already done the work - give us a clue

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black · #9 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 07:27 AM

Er, isn't it just a typo

It should read "the title of "smallest mammal in the world" is still contentious."

goosey · #10 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 08:16 AM

OMG!!!!

What a fool, If it had been 1st April and not May, I could have said I was joking. Lucky someone is on their toes this morning

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Suzanne B · #11 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 06:58 PM

Nevermind Goosey, at least you brightened up my day !!

And who needs 'totles' , when we've already got 'bomblebee bits' anyway ?!?

tcvarlh · #12 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 01:20 AM

according to bits I read Kitti's hog-nosed bat, aka bumblebee bat is the smallest, however, the pigmy shrew is lighter but longer. So as far as I'm concerned it works this way: a guy of 150 cm and 150 kilo is still smaller than a guy of 200 cm and 140 kilos. Small to me means length not weight.

The Woodman · #13 (**permalink**) 31-01-2010, 03:57 PM

Have just been trawling through a few threads and have come across this interesting question.

The Bumblebee Bat is widely regarded as the smallest known mammal. These tiny little creatures are also known as Kitti's Hog Nosed Bats, and are extremely rare.

Their wing span is around 160 millimetres, the body grows to a length of about 30 millimeters and weigh 1.7 - 2 grammes.

To contrast, the Alaska Tiny shrew weighs just 1-2 grammes and measures 68-75 mm overall according to Kays and Wilson.

The British Pygmy Shrew measures 70-100 mm o/a and weighs 2.4 -6.1 grammes but may lose weight during the winter.

There's not much in it but the Alaska Tiny Shrew might win by a whisker.