ByAnimals come in different shapes and sizes. Some are small enough to fit in your hand, while others are huge. But a special group of animals is about 12 inches long. They may be small, but they have impressive abilities.
Stay tuned for more fascinating creatures that measure around 12 inches!
1. Gidgee Skinks
Gidgee Skinks are interesting lizards from Australia. They are about 12 inches long and have special patterns on their back. They can change colors depending on the temperature and their mood, which helps them stay safe and regulate their body temperature.
Gidgee Skinks are social and can live in groups of up to 20 in burrows or rocks. They talk to each other using scents and sounds.
These skinks eat insects, spiders, snails, and small animals like mice. They have strong jaws to crush insect shells.
When it comes to having babies, Gidgee Skinks lays eggs instead of giving birth. The females lay 2-5 eggs each year in safe spots. Overall, Gidgee Skinks are unique lizards with cool features that make them special in Australia.
2. Green Basilisk
The green basilisk is a lizard from Central America that can run on water. It’s also known as the “Jesus Christ lizard” because of this ability.
On average, small green basilisks measure around 12 inches in length, although certain adults can exceed 3 feet in size. They have green bodies with stripes and a crest on their heads.
Green basilisks have big eyes and are good at seeing in water and on land. They live in trees near water and can swim if needed.
They eat insects like crickets and grasshoppers. Green basilisks are shy and will run away if they feel threatened. They can puff up their throat and turn orange to warn predators.
3. Pacific giant salamander
Pacific giant salamanders, also known as Japanese giant salamanders, are big amphibians found in Japan’s rivers and streams.
They can grow over 5 feet long and weigh up to 140 pounds. Despite their name, they have small eyes and rely on their sense of smell and electroreception to find food like fish, insects, and small water animals.
When breeding, males dig nests underground for females to lay eggs in. They guard the eggs until they hatch into juveniles.
In captivity, they can live for more than 50 years, but in the wild, they usually live for around 30 years.
4. Bamboo rat
The Bamboo rat is a rodent found in Southeast Asia. It has a short tail, a stocky body, and small ears.
The size of small green basilisks varies, with adult individuals reaching a maximum length of 12 inches from head to body, accompanied by a tail measuring approximately 4 inches.
Bamboo rats eat plants like bamboo shoots and fruits. They live underground in groups and come out at night to find food. Female Bamboo rats are good mothers.
Unfortunately, they are endangered because people are destroying their homes. We are trying to protect them by creating safe areas. Some people like to keep Bamboo rats as pets but they need special care.
5. Goliath birdeater
The Goliath birdeater is the biggest spider in the world and can grow up to 1 foot  (12 inches) long. It lives in South American rainforests and eats insects, rodents, and small animals, not birds. It has a hairy body, strong legs that can break bones, and sharp fangs that give a painful bite.
But it usually won’t attack humans unless it feels threatened. Its venom isn’t deadly to people, but it can cause swelling, pain, and discomfort.
Some people keep Goliath bird eaters as pets but they need special care because of their size and temperament.
These spiders are more active in the rainy season when they look for food and mates. Males approach females, who signal they’re ready by drumming their legs on the ground.
6. Slug
Slugs are cool creatures that belong to the snail family. They live in damp places like gardens and forests. Slugs come in different sizes and colors but are usually about a foot long.
One interesting thing about slugs is that they have male and female parts to mate with any slug. They use their long tentacles to stimulate each other and swap sperm.
But they typically measure about 12 inches long, which helps them slide along without getting stuck. They eat many things like plants, dead animals, and other slugs.
Slugs have teeth-like structures called a radula to scrape off food. Even though gardeners don’t like them, slugs are important because they help break down stuff and become food for birds and snakes. Slugs may be small, but they have many interesting things to learn!
7. Guinea pig
Guinea pigs are interesting pets that have been around for thousands of years. They are gentle and easy to care for, unlike other rodents.
Guinea pigs are friendly and enjoy human attention. They are also smart and can learn tricks and recognize their owners.
These furry creatures communicate through different sounds and have a range of vocalizations for different moods. Guinea pigs have round bodies and distinct fur patterns and come in various breeds with different coats.
They weigh around 1-3 pounds and are about 12 inches long. Guinea pigs are adorable and intelligent, making them great companions for any home. Whether you want a pet or are curious about these fascinating creatures, guinea pigs are worth exploring.
8. Caiman lizard
The Caiman lizard is a cool reptile from South America. They are approximately 12 inches long and are well-known for their unique appearance and behavior.
It has yellow spots on its back and sides, with a black head and tail. Its scales protect it from enemies.
The lizard eats fish, snails, and crustaceans, using its sharp teeth to crack their shells. Male lizards move their heads up and down during mating season to impress females.
The females lay about 20 eggs, and then the males guard them until they hatch. Caiman lizards can be pets, but they need specific care.
They need a warm place to live and a place to swim. They also need a diet with lots of calcium. As they grow, they need more space.
9. Squirrel
The squirrel is a small rodent with a fluffy tail and bushy fur. It is about 12 inches long, including its tail, and can weigh between 6 to 15 ounces.
Squirrels have sharp teeth that keep growing, so they gnaw on nuts, seeds, and tree bark to prevent their teeth from getting too long.
They can jump well and use this skill to move around trees and escape predators. Squirrels mostly eat plants like nuts, fruits, berries, and sometimes insects or bird eggs.
During fall, they store food in secret places to have enough to eat during winter when food is scarce.
Some squirrels live in groups of up to 20 individuals, working together to find food and care for their babies.
Squirrels are fascinating animals that have adapted to living alongside humans in cities. They are fun to watch, and their acrobatic skills bring joy to nature lovers.
10. Giant forest scorpion
Giant forest scorpions are huge scorpions that can grow up to 12 inches long. They live in the forests of West Africa and like places that are warm and humid with lots of trees. These scorpions look scary with their black bodies and big pincers.
They have six legs and a curved tail with a sharp stinger. They use their stinger to defend themselves and catch food. Giant forest scorpions eat bugs, spiders, small rodents, and other bugs.
They have venom, but it’s not too strong. They can hurt you but usually, only attack if you bother them. Female scorpions have babies and carry them inside their bodies.
When the babies are born, they ride on their mom’s back until they grow up. Giant forest scorpions might seem scary, but they are cool creatures important to their environment.
11. Millipede
Millipedes are fascinating creatures with many legs, but they don’t have a thousand legs. There are over 10,000 species of millipedes found all over the world.
They come in many different colors and sizes, with some species measuring only a few millimeters long while others can grow up to 12 inches or more.
They’re not insects but belong to a group called Diplopoda. Millipedes have two main body sections: the head and the trunk. They have cool ways to defend themselves, like secreting toxic chemicals or curling up into a tight ball.
Don’t worry, though; most millipedes are harmless to humans. Some people even keep them as pets! If you see a millipede in the wild or at your home, it’s best to admire them from a safe distance.
