It’s unbelievable how cool animals are. Really, animals don’t even have to try — being cute and funny just comes naturally to them. Some species, such as the Japanese macaque, for example, are practically little people. They love playing in the snow and making snowballs just like human children do.
However, macaques aren’t the only species that have fascinating traits about them. There are all sorts of interesting animals out there that are just as fun to learn about.
We’ve chosen a few of the best — ones that are guaranteed to bring a giant smile to your face. These 30 sweet animal facts will not only tug at your heartstrings but will probably leave you in stitches too because of just how hilarious some animals are.
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YouTube Screenshot
1. Squirrels will adopt other squirrel’s abandoned babies.
God forbid something should happen to a mama squirrel, but if it does, there is one saving grace. Other squirrels will adopt the mama squirrel’s babies and take care of them like they are their own. They are very caring animals.
Source:
The Pensive Squirrel
2. Sea otters love holding hands.
Sea otters hold each others’ hands while they are taking naps in the water so that they don’t float away from one another. It is super cute. When otters hold hands in groups it is known as “forming a raft” and sometimes even whole families will partake in the chain.
Source:
Joe Robertson
3. Dolphins give their friends names.
That’s right! Names aren’t just reserved for humans and pets. Dolphins actually give each other names as well, although they don’t sound like any names we have ever heard of. You have to be a dolphin to understand them.
Source:
Hamid Elbaz
4. Goats have accents.
Studies show that goats’ voices change depending on which group of goats they are hanging out with. When spending time with a different goat family, they adopt the same accents and mannerisms of that herd. In the past, it was thought that the accents were entirely genetic.
Source:
Kuebi
5. Puffins mate for life.
Once puffins find a partner they like, they pair up for life. The two lovebirds will build a little home together on the side of a cliff and live out the rest of their days in the same location. They are very romantic.
Source:
Acongagua
6. Squirrels create whole forests pretty much by accident.
Who knew squirrels were such conservationists? Every year, squirrels create new life simply by forgetting where they buried their acorns and nuts. Their lost food stores eventually sprout and grow into thousands of trees.
Source:
Ingrid Taylar
7. Oysters are gender-fluid.
Most oysters have both eggs and sperm and don’t have a fixed sex. They often change their sex multiple times throughout a lifetime. In scientific terms, animals with this ability are called “protandric”.
Source:
Shynelr
8. Butterflies taste things with their feet.
Instead of tongues, butterflies actually use their feet to taste the food they are eating. They can figure out the flavor of something just by standing on it. Then, they use a straw-like structure called a proboscis to suck up the flower nectar.
Source:
Caff55
9. Seahorses show affection by holding their partner’s tail.
It is part of their courtship dance. The seahorses hold each others’ tails, then whirl around with each other for days. They also change colors throughout the process. Then, if all goes well, the two will mate for life.
Source:
Daniel Ramirez
10. Male puppies always let the females win.
When playing together, it’s very common that the boy puppies will let the girls win. Even though the males often have a physical advantage, it makes them happy when the girls are happy. Winning isn’t important, they just care about having fun.
Source:
Max Pixel
11. Crows play pranks on each other.
Crows love practical jokes. It is a clear sign of just how incredibly intelligent they are. They also enjoy teasing each other and will often perform complex aerial acrobatics simply for fun.
Source:
PublicDomainPictures
12. Some animals just love smiling.
Take the quokka for example. It is known as the world’s happiest animal because in photos it always looks like it has got a giant grin on its face. It is one marsupial species that really knows how to smile.
Source:
Max Pixels
13. Turtles breathe through their butts.
Breathing through their butt is the adaptation that allows turtles to hibernate in the winter. They can also breathe regularly if they want. However, when they are holed up in their shells for the cold months, their main source of oxygen comes through the rear.
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PublicDomainPictures
14. Cows get anxiety when away from their friends.
Cows form very strong bonds with their friends and suffer badly when they happen to get separated. Take a cow’s best friend away from them and they will miss them dearly. Being apart causes them a lot of anxiety.
Source:
Kaptain
15. Some jellyfish live forever.
Turritopsis Nutricula, a type of jellyfish, is the only known species that actually lives forever. Their bodies are constantly regenerating and repairing themselves, causing the individuals to experience eternal life. Technically, they are not immortal though and still can be killed if they are unlucky.
Source:
Tom Hodgkinson
16. Penguins propose using a pebble.
When a penguin finds a potential life partner, they propose to them just like humans do. Although, instead of using a ring, penguins use a pebble. They offer it to the other penguin, and if their gift is accepted, they are officially husband and wife.
Source:
Liam Quinn
17. Baby chickens talk with each other when still in their eggs.
Even before they hatch, baby chicks are able to communicate with each other using a system of sounds. They also talk to their mom. The mother hen says hello to them and the babies chirp back through their shells.
Source:
Earthdirt
18. Norway knighted this penguin.
Norway is the first country ever to knight a penguin. The penguin’s name is Nils Olav and he was bestowed knighthood at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland after the King’s Guard adopted him as their mascot. In the photo, Nils can be seen inspecting his troops.
Source:
Ministry of Defence
19. Red pandas use their tails as blankets.
Red pandas’ big bushy tails keep them warm while they are sleeping — something that is especially important during the cold winter months. The red pandas simply curl up and wrap their tails around themselves like a blanket.
Source:
Flickr
20. Dogs’ nose prints can be used to identify them.
The nose prints of dogs are as unique as human fingerprints are. The prints are often used by kennel clubs and breeders when they want to keep track of a pup. Sometimes puppies look so similar that their nose prints might be one of their only identifiable traits.
Source:
nemo88
21. Baby elephants suck on their trunks for comfort.
Human babies love to suck on their thumbs for comfort. However, baby elephants use their trunks. It is an adorable habit. As the babies mature into adulthood, typically they will grow out of the behavior.
Source:
darkroomillusions
22. Killing a panda in China carries the death penalty.
Poachers and illegal hunters beware. Pandas in China are protected heavily by the law. Killing a panda anywhere inside the country is a crime that is punishable by death!
Source:
popofatticus
23. Koalas ride on their mom’s back after they outgrow the pouch.
When koalas are first born, they are about the size of a jellybean! However, they grow up quick. After a koala gets too big to ride in its mom’s pouch any longer, it will switch over to hanging onto her back.
Source:
Flickr
24. Elephant shrews closest relative is, in fact, the elephant.
While it’s hard to believe, elephant shrews are actually more closely related to elephants than to other shrew or rodent species. Despite the name, elephant shrews technically aren’t even shrews. Their long snout puts them in a class that is much closer to the giant African mammals.
Source:
A Fascinating One
25. Cats headbutt people to show them that they trust them.
You might think your cat is trying to initiate some sort of wrestling match. It turns out though, when your cat runs up to you and bumps its head against you, it is actually showing how much it cares. When cats give headbutts, it is called bunting and is a sign of trust.
Source:
pxhere
26. Rats laugh if you tickle them.
New studies show that what is actually going on in a rat’s brain is that it is giggling. They love a good tickle attack — it basically cracks them up. They especially like to be tickled on their bellies.
Source:
YouTube Screenshot
27. Japanese macaques make snowballs for amusement.
The Japanese macaques enjoy playing in the snow just as much as human children do. They find it super fun. They’ll roll snowballs around, pick them up, and even throw them if they are feeling feisty.
Source:
YouTube Screenshot
28. Spiders don’t know how to fly.
Let’s all take a moment to sit back and be thankful about the fact that spiders can’t fly. There is not a single spider species out there that has managed to learn the feat of flying, and that makes us very happy.
Source:
Max Pixel
29. Sweden hosts a rabbit jumping competition.
In Sweden, rabbits jump for sport. They even have a show-jumping competition called Kaninhoppning. The rabbits are timed as they compete in a series of jumping obstacles while being cheered on by their owner and crowds.
Source:
Thowra_uk
30. Pigs have 30-minute orgasms.
Imagine the sex life of a pig. Or actually, let’s not. But one thing you might find kind of interesting at least is the fact that pigs orgasm for 30 minutes. They’ve taken the expression rolling around in the hay to a whole new level.
Source:
Alan Fryer
Which of these was your favorite animal fact?
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