I don’t think this particular topic needs any introduction at this point. Just go and indulge. You know you want to.
As is with memes and a number of other things on the internet, cute animals are a constant here and this cannot be overstated. The very fabric of the internet would go haywire if we were to remove even a handful of cute animal pictures, let alone in its entirety.
With that said, enjoy the show and be sure to share it to prevent a calamity.
#1 Lamb Born 15min Ago: Hello World!
Image credits: TheRoach
#2 Sheepish Smile
Image credits: lnfinity
#3 The Opossom Is Able To Withstand Up To 80 Rattlesnake Bites. Thanks To Him, There Is An Antidote To Snake Venom. They Don't Get Rabies And They Eat Ticks. They're Your Friend
Image credits: Gainsborough-Smythe
So, why do folks like cute animals? Would you be surprised to learn that it’s likely evolution and how our brain is built?
In an article by Psychology Today, Dr. Hal Herzog discusses how beauty affects the moral standing of various species and how a beauty bias can influence the unconscious attribution of more socially desirable traits to more attractive people.
#4 When My Daughter's Rat, "Wasabi Bobby", Is Nervous Or In A New Situation, He Holds Her Hand For Comfort
Image credits: atodaso
#5 This World Doesn't Deserve Larry
Image credits: Wolfslayer256
#6 Ratatouille
Image credits: fat_old_boy
This explains why humans end up caring more about cute animals than less cute ones. The article speculates that it might be caused by the fact that cute animals remind us of human babies. Animals with characteristics like big eyes and soft facial features can trigger parental care instincts. In other words, that’s why you melt at the sight of adorableness.
#7 The Adorable Horse Fell Asleep On The Feet Of The Vet While He Was Talking To His Owners
Image credits: JettMe_Red
#8 The Majestic Appearance Of A Baby Seagull
Image credits: tyomateee2
#9 You Don't Have To Be Big To Be Mega Cute
Image credits: iklegemma
Another explanation could be the so-called “Beauty Is Good Stereotype,” or, in scientific terms, an attractiveness bias.
Researchers already knew of the human tendency to view attractive people as more intelligent and competent compared to those less appealing, so they did the same testing with cute animals.
#10 Baby Deer... So Tiny
Image credits: Lil_Jazzy
#11 It's Finally Happened. I've Seen The Cutest Thing Ever
Image credits: BusyBusyBizzy
#12 S M O L
Image credits: Wamdala
The end result of that study was that the participants showed a tendency to be more concerned about beautiful animals than the not-so-beautiful ones, despite their ability to suffer or experience pleasure all the same, and regardless of whether they could pose a potential threat towards humans.
#13 Bowl Of Baby Otters
Image credits: reddit.com
#14 A Very Little Visitor Rested In My Tree
Image credits: kuzumby
#15 Hi There Little Guy
Image credits: won-an-art-contest
There was even a follow-up study that aimed to fill in the gaps and compensate for the shortcomings of the first study.
That one also confirmed that beauty is kind and that folks have a tendency to view and assume more beautiful animals in a more positive light.
#16 Ocelot Kitten, Just Look At Those Paws!
Image credits: KoreanThrasher
#17 When The Lettuce Is Just Right
Image credits: reddit.com
#18 Baby Beaver Holding Its Tail And Nibbling On It
Image credits: GoldenChinchilla
But why does any of this matter? Interestingly enough, consider animal rights organizations—wouldn’t they be able to possibly get more donations if they use particular pictures? Maybe ones that were once ugly pictures of endangered species, but got visually manipulated to look more attractive? It is a certain kind of marketing that might prove very effective.
#19 Baby Moo
Image credits: OoBublesGirloO
#20 Plomp
Image credits: Trollfightee
#21 (Oc) I Guess Not All Will Agree But I Found This Little Guy Quite Cute
Image credits: Leekun95
And, hey, there’s more to cute animals than just having an evolutionary bias.
Cute animals have the potential of increasing marital satisfaction. All you need is six months of conditioning. And that’s not just satisfaction with their spouses but overall with the marriage.
#22 This Baby Seal
Image credits: Luminous_0
#23 Look At That Little Chunker
Image credits: Kingkrool1994
#24 Found This Little Guy At Work Today
Image credits: Boyinthecorn
Other benefits include images of cute animals managing to lift one’s mood, in turn building resilience to negative effects and being more inclined to work towards a brighter future.
In fact, videos of cute animals are strong mood changers which can trigger “upward positivity spirals” thus encouraging life satisfaction and resilience to stress.
#25 Mouse
Image credits: fat_old_boy
#26 Sassy Panda
Image credits: CheeseWaliChutney
#27 Fox Is Gonna Make A Good Soup
Image credits: Baskerville84
Oh, and yeah, watching cute animals relieves stress.
Lastly, there is evidence that cute animals might boost productivity. Folks who are exposed to cute animal pics before and after work tasks tend to get more done and generally perform because it narrows their focus.
#28 Baby Donkeys Are Just Too Cute
Image credits: ChaserNeverRests
#29 Felines Stretching
Image credits: Random_Average_Human
#30 This Leopard Cub & Their Mom In Front Of The Camera
Image credits: asilvertintedrose
So, enjoyed the abundant cuteness? Why not express that feeling in the comment section below!
And it doesn’t have to stop there as there is more where that came from.
#31 This Adorable Japanese Flying Squirrel
Image credits: Gainsborough-Smythe
#32 Can’t Tell The Difference
Image credits: Girlfromlondon_
#33 Thankfully I Saved This Little Guy From My Lawnmower Today
Image credits: pbmax542
#34 Family Of Racoons In My Yard
Image credits: Duskav3ng3r117
#35
Image credits: imgur.com
#36 Babies Leaving Their Nest
Image credits: we-vegotmagictodo
#37 Found In Backyard: A Rare And Endangered Peregrine Falcon—the Fastest Bird On The Continent (The Wildlife Commission Reunited Him With His Family)
Image credits: Intrepid_Nothing9561
#38 Front View Photo Of Platypus
Image credits: tyomateee2
#39 This Is No Cookie Jar, This Is My Battle Armor
Image credits: EndersGame_Reviewer
#40 Meet Max
Image credits: Atmolam
#41 Fluffy Highland Cattle Calf
Image credits: Brutally
#42 Hi There
Image credits: _dreamy_dancer_
#43 Took This Photo At A Zoo In England, I Don't Think I've Ever Seen Softer Eyes
Image credits: curious_kitten_1
#44 Found On A Walk Snapped A Pic And Moved On
Image credits: sloppydog14
#45 This Baby Sloth Gives Me Cute Aggression!!!
Image credits: Bubba_duckling
#46 [oc]my Little Pet Squirrel Sleeping :)
Image credits: kogermax
#47 Arctic Hares Are Very Cute In A Snowball Type Of Way
Image credits: iklegemma
#48 Little Guy Wants A Hug
Image credits: lmaosmh
#49 A Ridiculously Photogenic Llama At An Airbnb In New Zealand
Image credits: No_icecream_cake
#50 This Cute Little Guy Weighs Only 2gm
Image credits: JettMe_Red
