The world's smallest vertebrates

Whales and elephants are considered the largest vertebrates in the world. Science magazine New Scientist UK has introduced animals opposite them - the smallest vertebrate in the world.

1. Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae

Hummingbird Mellisuga helenae is found in Cuba, believed to be the smallest bird in the world, with only a body length of about 50mm - 60mm. One day the bird can fly to about 1,500 flowers to extract bile to absorb the energy of the body that was consumed during its flight and flap its wings fast.

2. Shrews Suncus etruscus

Found from the Mediterranean to Malaysia, the Suncus etruscus has only a body length of 36mm - 53mm, excluding the tail. This is the world's smallest mammal if measured by body weight, averaging only 1.8g.

This rat is constantly looking for food to keep the body warm. Once there is not enough food, it will be cold and fall into a deep sleep state, this time the body temperature drops to about 12 degrees Celsius.

3. Bumblebee bat Craseonycteris thonglongyai

Called bee bat, Craseonycteris thonglongyai scientific name, because its body size is as small as a bee with a length of about 29mm - 33mm. Therefore, this is considered the smallest mammal in the world if measured by body length. This bee species is found in Thailand, only feeding for 20-30 minutes at dusk and dawn.

4. Dwarf gecko Sphaerodactylus ariasae

Sphaerodactylus ariasae is the world's smallest reptile, with a body length of 16mm - 18mm. This species was discovered in 1998 in the karst area of ​​the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean region.

5. Carp Paedocypris progenetica

Looking at the body like a larvae, this is the Paedocypris progenetica carp, thought to be the world's smallest fish with a male body length of only around 7.9mm. This species is found in high acidic water environment (pH 3) in Sumatra island area, Indonesia.

6. Paedophryne amauensis Frog

Paedophryne amauensis frog is considered to be the smallest amphibian and smallest vertebrate in the world if measured by body length, average 7.7mm. This frog was discovered by scientists in 2009 under the carpet of Papua New Guinea thanks to its high-pitched cry.