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Exploring the animal kingdom for its fascinating and intriguing species I was struck by the Baluchistan Pygmy Jerboa, one of the smallest mammals in the world. This species, only found in the hot deserts of Pakistan and Afghanistan, is said to be the world’s smallest rodent, measuring 5 cm long on average.

For the title of the smallest mammal in the world, it’s only competitors are the bumblebee bat and species of the shrew family.

Jerboas are a group of jumping desert rodents that resemble a mouse with a long tufted tail and very long hind legs. They are a great example of convergent evolution – unrelated animals that develop similar characteristics because of living in similar conditions. In all the world’s major desert regions you will find animals that mainly use hopping as locomotion, a very energy-efficient way of avoiding predators when you have the space.

People have a strong tendency to like short faces and big eyes. The combination of it’s small size, large eyes and short face therefore make the Pygmy Jerboa one of the cutest mammals in the world.
pygmy jerboa The Pygmy Jerboa, the world smallest rodent

Written by Jolle Jolles

Jolle Jolles is a zoologist working at the University of Cambridge with a love for natural history and animal behaviour and enjoys fascinating others about our weird and wonderful natural world. Follow Jolle on Twitter or sent him a personal message.

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11 Classic comments & 215 interactions on facebook!

  1. Danielsays:
    Jan 25, 2010, 20:56

    Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, wat een beestje! Heeft dat voortbewegen op twee pootjes niet ook met de warmte/kou te maken? Dat hij zo minder warmte/kou geleid en ook minder oppervlakte boven de grond heeft? Heeft die staart een (stabiliserende)functie of is dat iets wat de evolutie heeft overgeslagen?

    Tot snel in NL,
    Daniel

    Reply
  2. Sophiesays:
    Feb 11, 2010, 15:30

    Wat een leuke blog Jolle! Hoe kan het zijn dat zo’n klein beestje bestaat he! Gek dat het zo op een kuikentje lijkt!

    Reply
  3. linzysays:
    Mar 10, 2010, 21:26

    what a crazy little animal!

    Reply
  4. mamasays:
    Feb 25, 2011, 19:50

    It looks kinda like a chick

    Reply
    • Emilysays:
      Mar 7, 2011, 23:32

      totally just wat i was thinkin but sssssooooooo cute…..
      hey if there are any guys out there who whold want to buy me a pygmy jerboa, i would be sssoooooo happy… !
      LOL TEHE!! :-D

      Reply
  5. Jolle Jollessays:
    Mar 8, 2011, 23:44

    Thanks for all your replies! @Emily, I will let you know when I will find one ;)

    Reply
    • Emilysays:
      Mar 14, 2011, 22:41

      Awwwww….. thx u ssssooooooo much! Love u! :-)

      Reply
  6. Rodesays:
    Jan 31, 2012, 4:12

    Awww, sooo cute!!!! Why are tiny mammals always so cute?

    Reply
  7. Patsays:
    Feb 24, 2012, 7:42

    i can’t stop looking. thanks for sharing about this little guy :)

    Reply
  8. Isaacsays:
    Nov 18, 2012, 17:15

    My god, did that mouse just eat its own tail O.o?

    Reply

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