16 Adorable Pygmy Species That Are Too Cute To Exist

Pygmy animals are relatively rare…they’re just like their regular-sized relatives, except they are significantly smaller.

It’s a weird thing that happens in nature, but it ends up being absolutely adorable. They may be small, but their cuteness factor is off the charts!

There may not be that many pygmy animal species around the world, but the ones we could find are amazing.

1. Pygmy marmoset

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These adorable primates are some of the smallest in the world. They’re found in the rainforests of the Amazon Basin and eat insects, fruits, and nectar.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEO6uucjB8P

2. Pygmy leaf chameleon

Pygmy leaf chameleon

Flickr

There are many species of pygmy chameleons, such as the Kenyan pygmy chameleon, Marshall’s pygmy chameleon, and the spectral pygmy chameleon. They are all very small and most of them are kept as exotic pets.

3. Pygmy mongoose

Pygmy mongoose

Wikipedia

The pygmy mongoose, otherwise known as the common dwarf mongoose, is just like its bigger cousins. The only difference is that this mongoose is a little smaller. It’s just as vicious, so snakes beware!

Wikipedia

4. Pygmy jerboa

Pygmy jerboa

By Elias Neideck – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

This itty bitty rodent can be found in Africa and the Middle East. Its diet consists mainly of seeds and grasses, and it needs very little water to survive. Because of its hind legs and way of hopping, many consider this adorable animal to be like a tiny kangaroo.

Flickr

5. Pygmy owls

Pygmy owls

Wikipedia

There are roughly 25-35 species of pygmy owls, or owlets, and most of them can be found in western North America and Central America. They may be small, but these birds are fierce raptors!

6. Pygmy nuthatch

Pygmy nuthatch

Jimfbleak at en.wikipedia

A very tiny songbird, the nuthatch is about 4 inches long and only weighs 10 grams. They can be found all over North America. Listen to their call — you’ve probably heard one of these before!

Flickr

7. Borneo pygmy elephant

Borneo pygmy elephant

Wikipedia

The Borneo pygmy elephant lives in Indonesia and Malaysia. They are endangered and their population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation are the main threats to their population.

Flickr

8. Pygmy hippopotamus

Pygmy hippopotamus

Wikipedia

Although it is a “pygmy” species, this hippo is still pretty big! Found in West Africa, it is one of the only two species of hippo on earth.

Wikipedia

9. Pygmy shrew

Pygmy shrew

Flickr

There are three species of pygmy shrew in the world: the American pygmy shrew, the Eurasian pygmy shrew, and the Etruscan pygmy shrew. The American pygmy shrew (only 2 inches long) must eat three times its body weight every day, requiring it to eat every 30 minutes to stay alive.

Flickr

10. Pygmy seahorse

Pygmy seahorse

Wikipedia

This is the first known pygmy seahorse species, called Hippocampus bargibanti. It’s only 2 centimeters in length. Because it spends its entire adult life anchored to a specific type of coral, experts had trouble breeding and raising these small seahorses in captivity until relatively recently.

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11. Pygmy slow loris

Pygmy slow loris

Wikipedia

This li’l guy can be found in the forest habitats of Vietnam, Laos, eastern Cambodia, and China. Because of habitat destruction, the exotic pet trade, and the medicine trade, these small animals are on the brink of extinction.

12. Pygmy goat

Pygmy goat

Wikipedia

These goats are a breed of miniature goat. They’re kept mainly as pets, but can also produce milk or be working animals.

13. Pygmy hedgehog

Pygmy hedgehog

Wikipedia

The most common species of domesticated hedgehogs is the four-toed hedgehog. It is actually a pygmy species, since it is smaller than its European cousin.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEtIJ2dm6TW

14. Dusky pygmy rattlesnake

Dusky pygmy rattlesnake

Wikipedia

This pygmy snake is a pit viper subspecies. Although it is adorable, it is also venomous.

15. Cozumel pygmy raccoon

Cozumel pygmy raccoon

Flickr

You’ll only find this tiny, adorable raccoon on the island of Cozumel off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

By Scott Camazine – Scott Camazine, CC BY-SA 3.0,

16. Eastern pygmy possum

Eastern pygmy possum

Flickr

This possum can be found in southeastern Australia in a range of habitats. It eats insects, nectar, and pollen and spends most of its time being adorable. During the winter, these critters curl up in a hibernation-like state.

Flickr

Pygmy animals may be adorable, but remember, most of them aren’t meant to be pets. (Especially the venomous vipers.)

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