In this world, there are many types of animals that look similar but are smaller or dwarf. These animals remain small, even though they are adults.
Owl
There are many types of pygmy owls, more than 20 kinds. This tiny owl belongs to the genus Glaucidium. Its small body makes this owl often mistaken for an owl chick. The wingspan of an adult bird is only about 20 cm. This owl preys on small animals such as insects and lizards at night.
Seahorses
The pygmy seahorse was only discovered in the 2000s. The first pygmy seahorse to be discovered was Hippocampus bargibanti. This seahorse was discovered when there was coral research in the laboratory. This seahorse, which is only 2 cm in size, is barely visible because its shape and color are similar to the coral where it lives. In-depth research on this seahorse has not been carried out, because this pygmy seahorse cannot survive in an aquarium.
Elephant
This pygmy elephant lives in northern Kalimantan. From DNA research, the elephant whose body is only as big as a cow is still related to the Asian elephant. Therefore, this elephant has the same scientific name as the Asian elephant, but there is an explanation behind it. Its scientific name is Elephas maximus borneensis. Borneensis is taken from the word Borneo, another name for the island of Kalimantan. Its dwarf body makes it seem as if the elephant has a bigger head and a longer tail.
Marmosets
This marmoset is only about the size of a human thumb. Marmosets are monkey-like primates. This marmoset scientific name Cebuella pygmaea lives in the Amazon Forest in South America. The marmoset, which weighs no more than 100 grams, is the smallest in the world. Marmosets live in the forest in small groups of 6 individuals.
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Jerboa
The jerboa is a desert-dwelling rodent. Animals that look like rats and rabbits, it turns out that there are dwarf-sized animals. There are 7 types of dwarf jerboas in the world. The pygmy jerboa lives in the Asian desert that is part of Mongolia and Kazakhstan. Despite their small body, these animals can run fast to avoid predators. The color of their fur allows the dwarf jerboa to camouflage in the sand.
Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest animal in the world. This whale also has a type of dwarf, known as the blue pygmy whale. This blue dwarf whale scientific name Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda was discovered in 1962. Previously, this whale was mistaken for an immature blue whale. Dwarf blue whales can reach 24 meters in length. While the usual length of the blue whale is about 28 meters.
Rabbit
This pygmy rabbit is no bigger than an adult human hand. This animal, scientifically named Brachylagus idahoensis, lives in the prairies of North America. The colors are white, gray, and brown. Rabbits usually give birth once can have many children. However, this is not the case with this dwarf rabbit. This dwarf rabbit’s mother once gave birth to only 3 children.
Chameleon
This dwarf chameleon is only the size of an adult’s finger. Like most types of chameleons, this chameleon can change its body color to be similar to its surroundings. Its body shape is like a leaf, making it more difficult to see. This chameleon, scientifically named Rhampholeon marshalli, lives in the African jungle that is part of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This chameleon feeds on small animals, such as crickets, caterpillars, and flies.
