THE CUTEST ANIMALS IN THE WORLD THAT YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED

When we are presented with cute things, our brains produce dopamine, a happy chemical. Although we can't travel the globe to see what nature has to offer right now, we've assembled a list of the cutest animals on the planet to provide you with a dose of dopamine.

1. PIKA, NORTH AMERICA AND ASIA

This cute mountain mammal can be found in parts of North America and Asia. It waddles rather than walks, with a round body and short, stumpy arms, and is known to bring small bouquets of flowers back to its burrow to eat during the winter. It is known as the 'whistling hare' because it often makes a high-pitched warning call while diving into its house.

2. QUOLL, AUSTRALIA AND NEW GUINEA

This nocturnal solitary marsupial, which is native to both Australia and New Guinea, spends the majority of the day in its den. The distinctive white spots scattered throughout its normally brown coat help to distinguish it. It had been extinct on Australian mainland for 50 years before WWF started rehabilitating it in 2018.

3. QUOKKA, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Do you know who this little guy is? Since the quokka was called "the happiest animal in the world" on the internet, many visitors have traveled to Australia to take selfies with this happy marsupial. Despite its cheerful appearance, it is considered endangered due to habitat loss and human activity.

4. KLIPSPRINGER, EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

The klipspringer, also known as the "rock jumper," spends its days jumping around cliffs in eastern and southern Africa, its greyish fur blending in with the mountains. It frequently mates for life and prefers to remain within five meters of its partner while they are together.

5. JAPANESE WEASEL, JAPAN

Mustela itatsi, a Japanese weasel native to the Japanese islands of Honsh, Kyushu, and Shikoku, kills small rodents along rivers and, in the winter, under the snow. Over the winter, the weasel's fur turns white, allowing it to blend in with the snow.

6. LONG-EARED JERBOA, CHINA AND MONGOLIA

The long-eared jerboa, which resembles a small rabbit rather than a rodent, can be found in the grasslands and deserts between China and Mongolia. It's only about 8cm tall, but those massive ears take up a significant portion of its body length, allowing it to hear predators clearly and leap out on its strong hind legs like a ridiculously cute miniature kangaroo.

7. SLOW LORIS, SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA

This adorable creature can be familiar to you from your Instagram feed. The slow loris is more dangerous than it seems, despite its huge, soulful eyes, teeny hands, and super-slow movements. When attacked by a predator, it licks a gland on its elbow, and the oil secreted mixes with its saliva to create a toxin. While the increase in popularity has posed a challenge to the species' survival by fueling a trade in selling the animals as pets, this delightful animal will survive in the wild when observed from a safe and respectful distance.

8. DIK-DIK, EASTERN AFRICA

This antelope, which stands up to 45 centimetres tall and weights up to 16 pounds, is as good as it looks. The female makes a repetitive ‘dik dik' sound as she snorts through her heart-shaped, tubular nostrils, hence the name.

9. FENNEC FOX, NORTH AFRICA

The Fennec Fox, which resembles a cartoon rather than an animal, has adapted to a life of high temperatures, sandy landscapes, and limited access to water. Its enormous ears, which are twice the size of its head, aid in hearing prey creeping around underground and dissipating heat during the day.

10. JAPANESE DWARF FLYING SQUIRREL, JAPAN

The Fennec Fox, which resembles a cartoon rather than an animal, has adapted to a life of high temperatures, sandy landscapes, and limited access to water. Its enormous ears, which are twice the size of its head, aid in hearing prey creeping around underground and dissipating heat during the day.

Do you find these animals lovely? We think looking at these incredible wildlife animals can make you feel happier. If yes, don't hesitate to share that happiness with us and make your loved one surprise with the best gifts for wildlife lovers. Thanks for your attention.