The lightest animal is the Etruscan shrew ( Suncus etruscus).
This tiny mammal holds the record for the smallest extant mammal by mass, weighing an average of only 1.8 grams (0.063 ounces). While the bumblebee bat is often cited as the smallest mammal by skull size and body length, the Etruscan shrew claims the title based purely on weight.
Here's a breakdown:
- Etruscan Shrew ( Suncus etruscus): Average weight of 1.8 grams. Found in southern Europe, northern Africa, and parts of Asia. Known for its extremely high metabolism.
- Bumblebee Bat ( Craseonycteris thonglongyai): Body length of 29–33 mm and weight of about 2 grams. While extremely small, its weight is slightly more than the Etruscan shrew.
Therefore, the Etruscan shrew remains the lightest animal based on weight.
