The Internet has left no stone unturned when it comes to finding and celebrating cute animals. We’ve seen cute dogs, cute cats, cute baby elephants, and even a whole crew of cute capybaras. That being said, these photos might be the cutest ones yet. Below is a compilation of adorable animal images submitted by scientists, ranging from the run-of-the-mill precious to unusually adorable. Think of it as a cute-off, with each animal competing against the next for the ultimate throne of cute-dom. The salmon babies just might take the crown.
Blue marlins are pretty cute when they’re little! #cuteoff Img credit: http://t.co/l80EaesWHo pic.twitter.com/QDNP4NAjF0 — Milton Tan (@mt_ur_mind) September 1, 2015
You think that is cute? #CuteOff (from http://t.co/c3CCVCMOsP) #beeflies pic.twitter.com/kU0STCFki0 — Erica McAlister (@flygirlNHM) September 1, 2015
I’ve got your #SQUEE right here, #CuteOff : slumbering squirrel monkeys cuddling. *mic drop* #TeamMammal pic.twitter.com/mXceGAgasy — christopher schmitt (@fuzzyatelin) September 1, 2015
@Neen_sb This should make it an even better day. #CuteOff really can’t compete with tarsiers ? pic.twitter.com/Ery2qqsgv0 — John White Wildlife (@JWhiteWildlife) September 1, 2015
This #CuteOff needs moar inverts: The #SQUEEE is strong in this freshly-hatched little #cuttlefish, Sepiola atlantica pic.twitter.com/gA3QwC1hVW — Carina M. Gsottbauer (@CarinaDSLR) August 31, 2015
Lowland streaked tenrec: “Think I’m bluffing? Try me. Just try me!” #CuteOff pic.twitter.com/eNhGs4Z4t9 — Asia Murphy (@am_anatiala) September 1, 2015
I interrupt your important grant writing session to win the #CuteOff. #TeamHerpetology pic.twitter.com/oonXLDEjC8 — Katy Greenwald (@amphibs) September 1, 2015
So it’s a #CuteOff, then? Just try to top Africa’s “Teddy Bear Ant”. #TeamEntomology pic.twitter.com/NDkFPYycb9 — Alex Wild (@Myrmecos) August 31, 2015
Whaaat?! A #CuteOff ?! Bombards twittersphere with orphan #chimp baby Toto pics pic.twitter.com/oBbi6DwDxq — Jill Pruetz (@jillpruetz) September 1, 2015
Cheetah cub for #TeamMammal #cuteoff pic.twitter.com/E4k4W08QfV — Anne Hilborn (@AnneWHilborn) September 1, 2015
Juvenile coast horned lizard found on McGinty Mountain. Photo by John Martin #USFWS #CuteOff pic.twitter.com/mN0G3dLOrH — US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWS) September 2, 2015
I gotta contribute a nudibranch that looks like a fluffy bunny (Jorunna parva) to the #CuteOff. Go fluffy bunny slug! pic.twitter.com/7DO9h8CL85 — Milana Featherbottom (@sidetracht) September 1, 2015
Baby lake sturgeon! #CuteOff Photo by Joanna Gilkeson, #USFWS http://t.co/IUOdrIkGL1 pic.twitter.com/CX86JttQel — US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWS) September 3, 2015
It’s a #CuteOff folks! Look at these #ChesapeakeBay cownose rays! Can we get a SQUEE up in here?! pic.twitter.com/QJONfW63F7 — SmithsonianEnv (@SmithsonianEnv) September 1, 2015
salmon babies snuggling #cuteoff #teamfish pic.twitter.com/HKTQOdcf6d — Natalie Sopinka (@phishdoc) September 1, 2015
Took this a few years back at a @BushHeritageAus reserve in the Simpson Desert. Little thorny devil. #wildoz #cuteoff pic.twitter.com/7vecTHiDVZ — John Pickrell (@john_pickrell) September 1, 2015
No, you’re NOT too small to enter the #CuteOff! #frog pic.twitter.com/5U3ctHOwjg — Jonathan Kolby (@MyFrogCroaked) August 31, 2015
Pick your fave: fox-eared fanaloka or Mickey Mouse-eared small Indian civet. #CuteOff pic.twitter.com/5vgheeveCH — Asia Murphy (@am_anatiala) September 1, 2015
OK #teammammal here is what I got for #cuteoff from remote camera photo from @whapavt – mamma carrying baby tamadua pic.twitter.com/k1z4fijKyd — Marcella J. Kelly (@marcellajkelly) September 1, 2015
It’s hard to beat small fluffed up birds in a #cuteoff pic.twitter.com/616tgmyKBs — Aus Bird Study Assoc (@ABSAbirds) September 1, 2015