June 20, 2023
By Sonakshi Kandhari
Among 8.5 million animal species that we know of, few are ferocious, few are fiercely loyal and few are also irresistibly cute. On that note, let's discover 10 of the cutest animals in the world and their adorable antics, guaranteed to make you smile even on a bleakest day.
Image Source: Pexels
With their wide, imploring eyes searching for fish, it is easy to fall in love with these mammals. Despite their small face, they are large-bodied, weighing about 22 kilograms at birth, which grows threefold in 7 weeks.Hence, it is not surprising that a Weddell seal pup eats 10 kg a day, while an adult devours 50 kg!
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Native to North America, these ground squirrels are not just cute but also benefit the ecology around them. The manner in which they burrow their homes improves soil quality. However, their most charming trait is the kiss they use to greet each other, a gesture that helps them identify their group members.
Image Source: Envanto Elements
Imagine being greeted by a smiling shark. Well, if you catch sight of a manta ray, it might just happen. Believe it or not, this aquatic animal, which is so closely related to a shark, has a smile plastered on the underside of its face. What's all the more surprising is that they look dangerous, but they are not.
Image Source: Envanto Elements
Straight out of a fairytale, these swans can enchant you not just with their beauty, but also with their unwavering love. They mate for life and are seen floating alongside each other in North American waters, often accompanied by a group of baby swans.
Image Source: Envanto Elements
Penguins are undeniably cute, but what tugs at your heartstrings is their proposal gesture. One might not know, but a penguin mates with their partners for life, and they spend quite a while looking for a pebble to present his lady love with, and if she accepts it, that’s the beginning of their ‘happily ever after’.
Image Source: Envanto Elements
As rare as it sounds,this one, also called a Mexican walking fish, despite being a reptile, earns its place on this list. With a unique trait called neoteny, it retains a baby-like face throughout its life. If you happen to encounter one, don't get caught off-guard by its sweet smile!
Image Source: Envanto Elements
A meerkat is a smaller version of a mongoose found in South Africa. Known for their bulbous eyes, their cute expressions have everyone wrapped around their fingers. It is 14 inches tall, is not found alone and is all the more adored for its social behaviour.
Image Source: Envanto Elements
Is it a fox? Or is it a panda? One finds it hard to tell, but its red fur makes it truly adorable. Its playful nature makes this animal all the more lovable. Found in the Himalaya and southwest China, their numbers are steadily declining as a result of habitat loss.
Image Source: Envanto Elements
Small-faced, lovable and playful sea otters captivate people not only with their cuteness but also with their expressiveness. What’s truly enchanting is that a sea otter holds their partner's hands while they sleep so that they don’t drift away from each other.Alaska is home to 90% of its population, but their numbers are decreasing.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
What if someone told you that there is an animal that can befriend you in no time? The Quokka, also called the short-tailed scrub wallaby, is a cat-sized creature that attracts tourists to Australia's remotest Rottnest Island coast with its friendliness. It’s even been recognised as the world’s happiest animal.
Image Source: Envanto Elements