Everyone has their own preference for the most adorable animal, such as puppies, kittens, or perhaps a guinea pig. However, you might not be aware of the number of other charming creatures out there in the world. From mammals to birds, a variety of delightful creatures are scampering about or flying freely in the sky. These fuzzy buddies, however, are quite uncommon, and you’re not likely to discover them in your own backyard. Interested in seeing some of these ultra-cuddly animals? Here’s a list of the 25 Cutest Animals You Never Knew Existed.
25
Pika
Source: https://www.britannica.com/animal/pika
These tiny and adorable little balls of fur are called Pika. Despite looking like rodents, they’re actually related to hares and rabbits, also known as lagomorphs. There are 29 species of Pika, and all are cute in their own fuzzy way.
24
Tanuki
Source: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/what-the-heck-is-a-tanuki-8-things-you-didnt-know-about-raccoon-dogs
Hailing from East Asia, the Tanuki, or Raccoon Dog, might look like a raccoon, but they’re more closely related to wolves. Especially popular in Japan, it’s easy to see why. Their thick, furry coats and general appearance make them an easy target for hugging.
23
Potto
Source: http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/animals/potto-2/
Small, nocturnal, and big-eyed, the Potto is a cute prosimian living in the rainforests of the world. Generally slow, they can also snatch their prey if the moment arises. Their adorable appearance will likely also snatch someone’s heart.
22
Klipspringer
Source: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/klipspringer
Living in Africa, theKlipspringer are like dwarf antelopes enjoying rocky terrain and keeping mostly to themselves. Indeed, their name is Dutch for “rock jumper.”
21
Lizuna
Source: https://www.odigo.jp/articles/15018-cuteness-overload-check-out-these-3-incredibly-cute-animals-native-to-hokkaido
The Lizunais basically a weasel, but it’s so white and adorable, how could you not want to pet it? The only way to find this little guy, however, is to go toHokkaido Island in Japan.
20
Gobi jerboa
Source: https://www.desertusa.com/animals/jerboa.html
These tiny rodents make harsh environments like the Gobi desert their homes. Growing only up to two to six inches and weighing less than an ounce, they’re primarily nocturnal and burrow underneath the soil for refuge.
19
Pangolin
Source: http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/pangolin
Walking the sands of Africa, the Pangolin is a pleasant little scaly creature. Its scales are made of keratin which is the same substance as our hair. Sadly, it’s a high-demand animal, causing it to be heavily trafficked; it could end up endangered.
18
Irrawaddy Dolphin
Source: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/irrawaddy-dolphin
The Irrawaddy Dolphin swims across the waters and oceans of Southeast Asia, constantly looking joyful and at peace, despite the fact there are only 78 to 91 left to exist.
17
Owston's Palm Civet
Source: http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2009/07/whats-an-owstons-civet.html
Living in Africa and Asia’s forests and river lowland basins, the Owston’s Civet look like a tiny cat had a baby with a raccoon. They’re over-flowing with cuteness.
16
Red-Crested Tree-Rat
Source: https://www.wired.com/2011/05/red-crested-tree-rat/
The Red-Crested Tree-Rat is a reclusive fuzz ball that looks similar to a guinea pig. Few have been seen in the wild, but one had its cute picture taken after 113 years of hiding.
15
Slow Loris
Source: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/15-cute-animals-that-could-kill-you/slow-loris
This bug-eyed furry guy isn’t a monkey, and while it might be tempting to give him a big hug, you’ll want to rethink doing that. He’s one of the only mammals in the world that is venomous.
14
Spoon-Billed Sandpiper Chick
Source: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=2536
These tiny chicks have a unique bill that gives them just another bit of cuteness. It’s so unique, they’re given their own genus calledEurynorhynchus.
13
Dik-dik
Source: https://www.britannica.com/animal/dik-dik
With big ears, big eyes, and cute little antlers, the Dik-dik couldn’t be more huggable. Among the smallest of antelopes, they live in the horn of Africa but are usually jittery of people and predators.
12
Olinguito
Source: https://insider.si.edu/2013/08/olinguito/
The Olinguito lives in the forests of Colombia and Ecuador. This fuzzy creature that looks like a cross between a cat and a bear was a new discovery of carnivore in 2013, and we’re all the better for it.
11
The Fennec Fox
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/f/fennec-fox/
With a small body but earsalmost bigger than its head, the Fennec Fox is both an anomaly and precious desert creature begging to become a stuffed animal. To escape the heat, they dig into underground dens.
10
Maned Wolf
Source: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/maned-wolf
The Maned Wolf is a majestic creature looking like it came out of a wonderous fantasy novel. With a fury mane of hair and incredibly long legs, this creature is neither wolf or fox but its own genus,Chrysocyon.
9
English Angora Rabbit
Source: https://www.thespruce.com/angora-rabbit-breed-profiles-1835793
Sweet mother of fluff, the Giant Angora Rabbit is like a walking pillow with eyes. Weighing up to 7 pounds, this rabbit produces a ton of hair a year and needs constant grooming.
8
Aardwolf Cub
Source: https://www.britannica.com/animal/aardwolf
TheAardwolf looks similar to a hyena and lives in two distinct populations of South and East Africa. While the adults are definitely cute in their own way, their cubs steal the show with their adorable eyes and fluffy coats.
7
Ezo Momonga
Source: http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pteromys_momonga/
TheEzo Momonga is native to Japan, and with its big eyes and adorablychubby exterior, it looks like they practically invented it to be beloved animal for all time.
6
Pygmy Marmoset
Source: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/pygmy-marmoset
These mini monkeys live in the rainforests of South America and are actually the smallest monkey in the world. They only weigh 5 ounces (140 g) and get up to 6.2 inches (16 cm) tall.
5
Baby Bongo
Source: http://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/bongo
The adult Bongo isn’t really much to look at, but the baby Bongo, on the other hand, is pretty darn cute. These creatures can be found in the rainforests across Africa and are in danger of over-hunting by humans.
4
Golden Brushtail Possum
Source: http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2017/08/what-gives-golden-possums-their-colour/
Who would have thought a possum could be cute? Well, the Golden Brushtail Possum certainly wins the prize. Unfortunately, their white coats of fur make them easy prey in the wild.
3
Gundi
Source: https://www.britannica.com/animal/gundi
Residing in North Africa, the Gundi is an adorably chubby rodent with round ears and big eyes. They hang out in rocky terrain without much vegetation and like to hide between rock crevices for shade during hot days.
2
Sunda Colugo
Source: http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2015/04/the-sunda-flying-lemur-not-what-it-seems
Also called the Sunda Flying Lemur, its name is a bit of a misnomer as it doesn’t fly and it’s not a lemur. But its big eyes and tiny face sure are cute. Its main ability is gliding from tree to tree in Southeast Asia. One was recorded gliding 446 feet (136 m).
1
Binturong
Source: http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/binturong
Also called the beartcat, the Binturong sleep during the day and hang out up in a forest canopy, basking the sun. Even though they’re considered carnivores, they mostly eat fruits and vegetables.
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Photo: 1. Greg Hume, CZ Binturong, CC BY-SA 4.0, 2. Nina Holopainen, Kaguaani 02, CC BY 2.5, 3. Oona Räisänen, Gundi at Helsinki Zoo, CC BY-SA 3.0, 4. WikipediaCommons.com (Public Domain), 5. shutterstock, 6. Pixabay.com (Public Domain), 7. Takashi Hososhima from Tokyo, Japan, Japanese dwarf flying squirrel, CC BY-SA 2.0, 8. via babyanimalsrock.weebly.com (Fair Use: Illustrative Purposes Only), 9. anonymous, EnglishAngoraRabbit, CC BY-SA 3.0, 10. Sage Ross, Maned Wolf 10, Beardsley Zoo, 2009-11-06, CC BY-SA 3.0, 11. yvonne n from willowick, usa, Fennec Fox, CC BY 2.0, 12. Olinguito_ZooKeys_324,_solo_(2).JPG: Mark Gurney derivative work: SchirmerPower, Wiki Olinguito ZooKeys 324, solo (2) Fotor0902214247, CC BY 3.0, 13. Yathin sk, Damara-dik-dik, CC BY-SA 3.0, 14. JJ Harrison ([emailprotected]), Eurynorhynchus pygmeus 2 - Pak Thale, CC BY-SA 3.0, 15. Jmiksanek, Slow Loris, CC BY-SA 3.0, 16. David Valle Martínez, Santamartamys, David Valle Martinez, CC BY-SA 3.0, 17. zooborns.com (Fair Use: Illustrative Purposes Only), 18. Dan Koehl, DKoehl Irrawaddi Dolphin jumping, CC BY 3.0, 19. Valerius Tygart, Tree Pangolin, CC BY-SA 3.0, 20. shutterstock, 21. via www.odigo.jp (Fair Use: Illustrative Purposes Only), 22. MONGO, Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) head, CC BY-SA 3.0, 23. Eric Kilby, Potto Being Curious, CC BY-SA 2.0, 24. Pixabay.com (Public Domain), 25. Pixabay.com (Public Domain)