When we see cute things, our brains release a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which makes us happy. And adorable animals aren’t exceptions, from fluffy pikas to little ermine. But which of these animals is the cutest? Let’s have a look at the cutest animals in the world to find out!
1. Pika
The first cutest animals on this list are pikas. The pika is a little, charming species living in Asia and the highlands of North America. Although they are frequently misidentified as rodents, pikas are relatives of rabbits and hares. They belong to the lagomorph family.
With a rotund body and stubby limbs, it appears to waddle rather than walk. These species are herbivorous, they mainly feed on plants and flowers. One of the sweetest actions they’ve ever made is to carry little flower bouquets back to its region.
Pikas that live in the mountains are very territorial, however, pikas in the meadow habitat are not. These pikas live in a large family group, grooming, playing, and sharing. You can read our “8 cute facts about pikas” to know more about 2 kinds of pikas.
2. Long-eared jerboa
The long-eared jerboa resembles a little rabbit rather than a rodent. They primarily live in the pastures and deserts between Mongolia and China. The animal is quite small with the size of 8cm long. However, it owns massive ears taking up a significant portion of its body length. This special feature lets them hear predators, and bounce off on their muscular hind legs like a cute small kangaroo.
3. Quokka
Quokkas are one of the cutest animals in the world. They are friendly and playful, and always come with a smile on their faces. They’re small, rounded, and are as the same size as a domestic cat.
The quokka or the short-tailed scrub wallaby is known as the happiest animal on the planet. This is because they appear to smile all the time. To know the truth behind the always-smiling quokka, you can our article.
Just like the cousin kangaroos, the quokka is a marsupial. It awakes at night, eats plants and grass, and carries its offspring in a pouch. One special thing about these creatures is that they can go for a long time without water.
Quokkas can only be found on Rottnest Island, off the coast of Australia. It is one of the world’s most isolated locales. Despite this, quokkas’ popularity is so high that tourists from everywhere in the world have to come here to see them. These species are officially classed as “vulnerable” due to habitat loss.
4. Flapjack Octopus
Opisthoteuthis californiana is a type of umbrella octopus commonly known as the flapjack octopus. These creatures are considered the cutest animals with big eyes in the sea. Looking cute and innocent, but the flapjack octopus is quite good at seeking and killing its victims.
They live in the deepest parts of the ocean, where there is little light. The newly born can be found at roughly 200 meters depth, while adults can be found at depths ranging from 500 to 1500 meters.
Unlike other octopus species, the flapjack octopus isn’t colorful or patterned, it doesn’t have an ink sac or radula. This makes them more vulnerable to predators. However, they prepared themselves with some unique ways to escape from predators. You may read our article to see how flapjack octopuses defend themselves against their enemies.
5. Fennec Fox
The next animal is the fennec fox coming from the desert. With the adorable look, this species looks like a cartoon characteristic. They’re the smallest member of the canid family, weighing approximately 1.8 kg (4 pounds).
The most distinguishing characteristic of this animal is its abnormally wide ears which are twice the size of its face. Those ears have two functions: they assist them to control their body temperature during the day and help them detect prey.
Fennec foxes live in the Sahara desert and other parts of North Africa. It has evolved to survive the harsh environment where there is lots of sand, extreme heat, and little water. Its diet consists of tiny birds, reptiles, fruits, and rodents. They live in a big group of family which can contain 8 – 10 individuals. They can live for up to 14 years.
Les Fennecs, Algeria’s national football team, is named after this adorable fox. In Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, the fennec fox is a protected species. You can read more facts about the fennec fox as our guideline.
6. Short-tailed Weasel
The short-tailed weasel is a member of the Mustelidae family (or the weasel family). It has a rounded face, stubby legs, a long body with as well as a long neck. This appearance makes it to be one of the cutest animals.
The weasels can change their coat according to the seasons. In the summer, they have a short brown coat. But in the the winter, they will change their color to white; and their coat is longer and softer.
Short-tailed weasels are the second smallest members in the weasel family. The smallest species is the least weasel. However, with a size of only 33 cm, the short-tailed weasel is still a terrifying hunter. To see how a small stoat can take down prey that is 10 times bigger than it, you can read our article.
7. Red panda
Speaking of the cutest animals ever, we cannot miss the red panda. This mammal is well known for its cute waddle, which is due to its small front legs. Southwestern China and the eastern Himalayas are its home.
The red panda has nothing to do with the Chinese panda. Contrary to common perception, it is not a member of the panda family; rather, it is relative to skunks, raccoons, and weasels.
These cute creatures are quite small. They are as big as a house cat, with a size of about 63 cm (25 inches) on average. They come with reddish-brown fur and a bushy, striped tail. Despite having a naughty face, red pandas are pretty shy and solitary. They stay in trees most of the time to sleep and to eat leaves and bamboo shoots.
The red panda is endangered species. Because of habitat destruction, hunting, and inbreeding, the number of red pandas becomes fewer and fewer over time.
8. Black-footed cat
The black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is the smallest wild cat in the world. It is also one of the cutest animals on earth. It measures 35 – 50 cm (14 – 20 inches) tall and features a stunning black and silver speckled coat.
Black-footed cats may look small, but they are deadly hunters. Their hunting success is even higher than the lions’. With a 60% success rate, this small cat can kill 10 – 14 victims per night. They can knock out the target which is bigger than them.
The black-footed cat hunts at night and mainly feeds on birds, small rodents, and rabbits. They live only in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. They prefer grass plains, shrub deserts, and sandy plains, such as the Karoo and Kalahari deserts.
9. Sea otter
Last but not least, the sea otters. They are among the cutest animals with furry bodies and cute expressions. They float on the water and do adorable gestures and actions. To make themselves even cuter, sea otters float on the water and hold hands while sleeping.
The sea otter spends most of their time grooming and looking for food. Crabs, urchins, and other shellfish make up the majority of their diet.
These animals inhabit North American and Asian shores. Alaska is home to over 90% of the sea otters from all over the world. However, their population has decreased for many reasons. They are now labeled as endangered species.
Those are the top 9 cutest animals on the entire planet. According to you, what is the cutest animal in the world? Let us know in the comments below!
