The cutest animals in the world can trigger a powerful reaction in many of us – their cute faces, huge, soulful eyes and sensitive facial features can pull at our heartstrings. Scientists believe that when we see several facial and body features that are commonly visible in human babies, it triggers a nurturing response.
Discover The 10 Cutest Animals In The World
It’s no surprise, then, that pictures and videos of the cutest and most beautiful animals in 2024 are topping marketing campaigns, and advertisements and spreading like wildfire on social media.
So, let’s get to our candidates for the cutest animal in the world. The list is based more on instinct than on solid scientific grounds, but even if we haven’t covered your pick optimistically, you can still vote for an “aw” or a 10.
Fennec fox
White fox animal with big white ears.
A fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) Animal showing off its adorable face and huge, oversized ears. Photo by Sebastien Gaborit/Getty Images
Originally from the deserts of North Africa, they are the smallest species of fox on the planet, which makes their most special feature — those incredibly large ears — all the more adorable.
They live in burrows buried deep in the sand and only come out to forage at night to protect themselves from the scorching temperatures of the day. Those ears serve a function there, too: radiating heat to help keep the fennec fox cool.
Adelie Penguin
Black and white penguin in daylight.
An Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) stands on a rocky shoreline at sunset on Petermann Island, Antarctica. Photo by Paul Souders/Getty Images
Yes, the Adelie penguin, found in Antarctica, is undoubtedly adorable. But it is also one of the fiercest hunting penguins. These birds can be quite competitive and face challenges from many large predators (and humans) who get too close. They are also exceptional swimmers, able to traverse the water at 14 km/h (9.3 mph) while foraging.
The species is named after French Antarctic explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville, who named them after his wife Advertéle when he found them.
Rusty-eyed Cat
Sad cat with huge eyes.
A rusty-eyed cat (prionailurus rubiginosus), is one of the smallest cat species on Earth. Photo via Getty Images
This cat species is not only one of the cutest on the planet but also one of the smallest. Like that moment in Shrek II when Puss in Boots turns on his seduction, it would be very hard to resist this beautiful little cat.
On average, the rusty-eyed cat weighs around 1 kg and is 50 cm long – this is smaller than most domestic cats.
This feline is relatively difficult to identify, as it prefers to hide in the dense forests of India, Sri Lanka, and small regions of Nepal. In recent years, its numbers have been declining due to habitat loss.
Giant Panda
Giant panda looking adorable eating bamboo.
A young giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) sits and eats bamboo. Photo by Getty Images
The giant panda, spotted in central China, is not only synonymous with a successful wildlife conservation effort but is also known for being quite adorable. Their big, cuddly bodies and clumsy nature make it almost impossible for us not to fall in love with them.
Despite being labelled as hardy, a giant panda’s diet is mostly made up of bamboo – they can devour over 35kg of bamboo a day. This diet causes them to defecate frequently – up to 40 times a day!
They are also master climbers, thanks in part to a “false thumb” on each paw that is an enlarged wrist bone.
Quokka
Very happy little mammal holding a green vine.
A happy quokka (Setonix brachyurus) enjoys a swing on Rottnest Island, Perth, Australia. Photograph with help from Hideaki Edo/Getty Images
Though they look like rodents, quokkas, found only on Rottnest Island, located off the coast of Western Australia, are closely related to kangaroos and wallabies. This cute nocturnal marsupial encloses its young in pouches in the same way as its larger cousins.
They are about the size of a house cat and have an exceptional ability to climb trees to feed on their favourite leaves.
It’s no wonder this cute animal is called the happiest animal on Earth, thanks mainly to its supposedly eternal smile and friendly personality.
Galago
A beautiful creature with big eyes in the tree.
A galago primate from the Galagidae family, known as Galago, perched on a tree branch. Image by Getty Images
Galagos can independently move their ears to locate prey and jump over 5 metres, which are some pretty cool party tricks.
Sugar glider
The cute striped creature on a brown branch.
Close-up of a sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) on a branch in Indonesia. Image by Getty Images
Sugar gliders are a species of possum that, as their name suggests, can drift with the current for tremendously long distances for a small animal. They also like to eat sweet foods along with sap and nectar from flowers and like to stay high above the ground in the treetops, safe from the dangers lurking below.
Their huge eyes make them even more beautiful, but they also serve a purpose. Since they are nocturnal, those huge eyes help sugar gliders navigate in low light.
Sugar gliders are also very social creatures, typically living in colonies with up to forty other animals.
Purple Panda
Adorable red panda in sunlight.
A captive pink panda (Ailurus fulgens) was photographed in Moselle, France. Photograph by Musicaline/Wikipedia
Despite the name, red pandas are not related to big pandas (but they are just as adorable). Interestingly, the red panda was discovered 50 years before the giant panda.
With their big, purple furry tails and sweet faces, they bear more than a passing resemblance to a teddy bear. They can be hard to identify, though – they are typically nocturnal creatures, usually exploring their territory at night.
Pink pandas live in mountainous areas of Asia, hiding in bushes and spending half their lives sleeping. They eat bamboo like their larger namesake but have a more varied diet that includes fruits, nuts, and eggs.
Axolotl
A cute little smiling marine animal.
An axolotl (Ambystomatidae). image by Paul Starosta/Getty Images
While we recognize that most of the animals on this list are furry mammals, there is one amphibian we can’t resist. The axolotl is a type of salamander that spends its entire life underwater, despite having four legs that are perfect for living on land.
With their adorable eyes, feathery gills, and a faint trace of a smile, axolotls are adorable in an unusual way. Their ability to regenerate body elements, while not as adorable as it sounds, only adds to their appeal.
Pika
Adorable little mammal crawling around on rocks.
This American pika (Ochotona princeps) was photographed near Mount Fremont, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA. image by Getty Images
The cute pika is a smaller relative of the rabbit and can be found in the Rocky Mountains of the northern United States. Their furry bodies and round faces mean they can be undeniably adorable.
Not only are they one of the cutest animals in the world, but they are also very cheeky. While some fast-running pikas scavenge for food, some unscrupulous individuals borrow from their neighbours, as recently shown on the BBC series Mammals.