What Is the World's Smallest Mammal?

Plenty of tiny, little critters roam the land. Let's take a look at the smallest mammal, and also learn some interesting facts about this creature. You may have never even heard the name of this mammal before today.

The bumblebee bat is the world's smallest mammal. At their longest, they can grow to 1.3 inches. At their shortest, they are 1.1 inches. They also only weigh .07 ounces. You probably would barely even be able to feel one if it landed on your shoulder, since their weight is almost negligible.

Their wingspan is approximately six to seven times their body length at an astounding 6.7 inches. Even though their bodies are so little, they must have at least some sense of strength in order to support wings that they are so much bigger than the rest of their little frame.

Facts About the Bumblebee Bat

Where They Live

Bumblebee bats hail from Thailand, particularly in Sai Yok National Park located in the Kanchanaburi Province in the western part of the country. As of recently, they have been found living in Myanmar as well.

More specifically, they tend to live in caves, as is common of their larger cousins. They are particularly fond of limestone caves where they live with between 10 and 100 other bumblebee bats. The caves that they reside in are generally in forest areas located near rivers.

What They Eat

Due to their small size of .07 ounces and 1.1 inches their diet consists largely of insects. That is consistent with what other types of bats eat.

As far as what eats bumblebee bats, as of now, there are no known predators. That does not mean that there are no predators; the statement simply means that no one knows of any yet. They mainly die from the burning of the forests in which they live, not from other creatures eating them.

Protecting Bumblebee Bats

Bumblebee bats are considered an endangered species. When the forests that their caves are in are burned down, they often are killed. They are believed to only reproduce one baby each per year. There has not been enough research to conclusively determine that; however, scientists do believe that it is only the annual deliverance. If the species is not reproducing, the population is going to decline, especially if the death rate starts to exceed the birth rate.

Not many bumblebee bats are roaming the Earth. Estimates of their population significantly vary; however, it does seem that the figures fluctuate between 200 and 2000. In either case, that is a very small amount, particularly if the numbers are on the lower end of that spectrum.

Fortunately, the bumblebee bats living in Thailand are now protected, as is their habitat. Hopefully, through the efforts of wildlife protection agencies, these tiny mammals will be able to be preserved. If not, there is going to be a new world's smallest living mammal in the world very - and most unfortunately - soon.