Pictures: Magnifying SA’s tiniest animals Posted on 22 November 2018 There is much to celebrate when it comes to the diverse fauna and flora in South Africa. From the Big Five to the Marine Big Five, we are spoiled by Mother Nature’s beauty. But what about those little guys that we can barely see? They deserve some of the spotlight too. Here are the littlest animals in the country and where to find them. The Blue Duiker View this post on Instagram Moments like this… 💚 #fostersister #blueduiker #rescue #rehabilitation #savewildlife #releasewildlife #sanghapangolinproject #spp #hellofirsttime A post shared by Maja Gudehus (@majalifeofabee) on Oct 3, 2018 at 11:27am PDT The smallest of the Antelope species, the Blue Duiker is a charming little animal that only reaches between 30cm – 41cm in height. Females can weigh up to 4.7kgs and males up to 4kgs. The Blue Duiker can be found across the Eastern Cape and in parts of West Africa. This species is classified as rare in the South African Red Data Book. The Speckled Padloper Tortoise View this post on Instagram This is the smallest tortoise in the world. So chuffed we spotted it. #speckledtortoise #speckledpadloper #namaqualand #lovingthelivingworldaroundus A post shared by Clip Clop (@clipclop_ct) on Oct 7, 2018 at 11:01pm PDT The Speckled Padloper, the smallest tortoise species in the whole world, is found only in Namaqualand between South Africa and Namibia. This adorable reptile can grow between 6.1cm – 7.9cm. The Scops Owl View this post on Instagram How’s this for camouflage. African Scops owl. @africageo @getawaymagazine #birds#nature#bird#birdsofinstagram #wildlife#naturephotography #photography#birdphotography#ig #wildlifephotography#birdwatching #africageographic#birdsofprey#birding#animals#instagram#naturelovers#bestbirdshots#canon#birdlife#summer#vogel#best#brilliance#flyingbirds#luxurysafari#perfection#africageophoto#natgeowildlife#scopsowl A post shared by Frank (@frankdebeer1) on Nov 17, 2018 at 2:32am PST Found throughout most African countries that lie below the Sahara, the African Scops Owl is only between 19cm – 24cm in height. Despite its tiny size, this owl has the largest ear opening of all Scops Owls. The Bronze Mannikin View this post on Instagram Warming up in the winter glow☀ Bronze Mannikin //Gewone Fret //Spermestes cucullatus JvV© A post shared by Jannesvv (@jannes_birdlife) on Jun 2, 2018 at 3:13am PDT The smallest bird native to South Africa is the Bronze Mannikin. This bird is a resident of the Eastern part of South Africa, both males and females have the exact same markings. Adults weigh 7g -12g and can grow to 10cm in length. The Flowerpot Snake View this post on Instagram Oh my goodness check out this little babeeeee! 😍 A full grown #brahminyblindsnake peeked out to say hello when we were doing some landscaping at work. These cute little non-native snakes come to #Florida on ornamental plants where they burrow deep into the ground and gorge themselves on termite and ant larvae. They’re not invasive, so we let him get back to work 🐍 #blindsnake #flowerpotsnake #Indotyphlopsbraminus #nonvenomous #snek #snakesofinstagram A post shared by Jessy Wayles (@jessabelle_27) on Sep 22, 2018 at 5:57pm PDT Rarely growing longer than 20cm in length, the Flowerpot snake is one of the world’s smallest snakes. It is the only snake species in the country to have originally come from Australasia, making them South Africa’s only introduced species of snake. The Flowerpot snake can be found throughout South Africa in soil and flowerpots – and is completely harmless. A few foreign friends The Bee Hummingbird View this post on Instagram Lovely! The splendid male bee hummingbird. By:@christiantillerphotography @birdsonearth A post shared by B I R D S O N E A R T H (@birdsonearth) on Nov 8, 2018 at 12:04am PST The minute Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world and we couldn’t resist leaving it out. Endemic to Cuba, this hummingbird only measures up to 5.6cm long when fully grown and weighs 1.6g – 2g. Despite its small size, this bird is an absolute machine and can beat its wings up to 200 times per second. Pygmy Rabbit View this post on Instagram Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits, Olympic mudminnows, monarch butterflies and other imperiled species are getting some much-needed help this week thanks to Oregon Zoo Foundation Future for Wildlife grants. Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits, Olympic mudminnows and other imperiled species are getting some much-needed help thanks to Oregon Zoo Foundation Future for Wildlife grants. #PNW #conservation #oregonzoo #OZF #pygmyrabbit A post shared by Oregon Zoo (@oregonzoo) on Nov 17, 2015 at 9:35am PST The Pygmy rabbit is only found along the West Coast of the United States. Sadly it is an endangered species, it grows between 23.5cm – 29.5cm in length and resides predominantly in dense sagebrush. 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