An adorable newborn giraffe has lifted the spirits of Newtown, Connecticut. From Koda the miniature horse to Wu Shi Wr Ke the 51-gram panda, see more itty bitty critters that will melt your heart.
This is the most darling six-foot-tall toddler we’ve ever laid eyes upon—and she’s already a good Samaritan, too. Baby giraffe Sandy Hope was born to the Leo Zoological Conservation Center in Connecticut last month. Her species, the Rothschild giraffe, is endangered, so the birth was a milestone in itself. But a public naming contest gave it even more significance—the community named the giraffe Sandy Hope after Sandy Hook, the elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 students were shot and killed. The zoo plans to invite those affected by the tragedy to get up close and personal with the baby giraffe.
Beyoncé the dog was so tiny when she was born that she could fit into a teaspoon. Now the Dachshund/Chihuahua mix pup is about the size of an iPhone. Born to a rescue dog, Beyoncé was at first mistaken as a stillborn because she wasn't breathing. Now she aspires to live up to the size—or at least the fame—of her namesake.
Bebeto Matthews / AP Photo
In June of 2004, Star was declared the smallest chihuahua in the world. A quarter of the size of a normal puppy, Star stopped growing after five weeks, clocking in at under one pound.
John O'Reilly / Rex USA
This tiny horse beat the odds by just making it to its first birthday. Koda, an American miniature horse, was also born as a dwarf. At just under 2 feet tall, Koda is Australia's smallest horse. He's been spotted palling around with a cat that's practically his size at the Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital in Victoria, Australia.
David Caird, Newspix / Rex USA
The world's smallest chameleon was discovered in 2012 on a tiny islet off the coast of Madagascar. At under an inch long, the Brooksia micra chameleon can fit on the tip of a finger as well as a match stick and may even be one of the smallest reptiles on earth.
Animal Press, Barcroft Media / Landov
Tom Thumb turned heads in 2009, known as one of the smallest dogs ever born in the UK. At three weeks old, the Chihuahua-Jack Russell mix was only eight inches long and could fit inside a tea cup. However, he missed his chance for a world record by two inches.
PA Photos / Landov
Einstein, the world's smallest stallion, was looking to play with someone his own size when he met Charlie, the tiny donkey. At just one foot six inches tall, he and the two-foot-four-inch Charlie were a perfect pair.
Charlie Cantrell, Barcroft / Landov
Sweden's largest and smallest dogs, Grim the Irish Wolfhound and Rut the Chihuahua, respectively, share a bowl in Lysekil, Sweden in July, 2007.
I.B.L. / Rex USA
Meet Mathilde, the world's smallest lamb. Born to the world's smallest sheep in Britain, Mathilde is a Ouessant Breed (which is the smallest pure breed of sheep in the world). She may technically be a black sheep, but there's no shortage of cuteness here.
Jeremy Durkin / Rex USA
China is home to the world's smallest panda, who was born weighing 51 grams (or 2 ounces). What do you name a tiny panda like that? The breeders chose Wu Shi Er Ke, which means 51 grams in Chinese.
Sinopix Photo Agency Ltd / Rex U
Open seven days a week from February to November, Pennywell Farm specializes in miniature pigs. These little guys are 8 ounces at birth and grow to be a fifth of the size of a normal piglet. This little piggy went to ... you'll just have to go there to find out.
