Meet The 10 Cutest Animals in the World (and Where You Can See Them)

The planet has hundreds of cute, cuddly, adorable animal species. How can you narrow them down to one list? It wasn’t easy, but we stuck with animals whose little faces will melt your hearts and who also have cute mischievous personalities.

This list of the world’s cutest animals is sure to make you smile.

#10. Pygmy Marmoset

The pygmy marmoset ( Callithrix pygmaea ) is a tiny New World monkey native to the Amazon rainforests of South America . It is the smallest monkey and one of the smallest primates in the world. A typical pygmy marmoset weighs just over three ounces. Its other names are pocket monkey, little lion , and dwarf monkey.

This tiny baby has an inquisitive face and fluffy fur. The monkey’s thick fur makes it look bigger than it is to scare off predators. Pygmy marmosets live in Colombia , Brazil , Ecuador, and parts of Bolivia .

And while it’s arguably already one of the cutest animals in the world , there are still 9 more to go!

Pygmy marmosets are not endangered, but they are frequent victims of the illegal pet trade.

#9. Red Panda

The red panda ( Ailurus fulgens ) is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China . This beautiful creature looks like a cross between a fox and a giant panda , but it’s not related to either. It is closer to a raccoon or skunk .

The red panda has thick red fur and a striped, bushy tail. It is about the size and weight of a domestic cat . Its mischievous face and playful behavior have made it a favorite among people visiting zoos and sanctuaries.

Sadly, red pandas are critically endangered . Like giant pandas, they only eat bamboo, and habitat loss has led to severe population declines. Some zoos have successfully bred red pandas, however. The Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands manages the red panda international studbook.

The Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee holds the record for the largest number of red panda births in North America .

#8. Meerkat

Meerkats are so cute they even had their own TV show. Do you remember Meerkat Mansion ?

The meerkat ( Suricata suricatta ) is not a cat. It’s actually a small mongoose . Native to southern Africa , the meerkat has enormous eyes and a long tail. Meerkats have incredibly cute behavior, including sitting up high on their hind legs and looking around.

A meerkat stands about 14 inches tall with a long tail. Meerkats are highly social. They live in groups called “mobs” that comprise two or three meerkat families. These mobs live in their own extended underground burrows.

Meerkats are listed as “least concern” for conservation status. You can find meerkats in wildlife sanctuaries in Africa and in zoos around the world.

#7. Axolotl

The axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum ) or Mexican walking fish is related to the tiger salamander . Despite its name, it’s a reptile and not a fish . An axolotl ranges in length from 6 to 14 inches.

Why is it on our list of cute animals? Its tiny, smiling face is the reason. The axolotl always looks like it’s sweetly smiling. Scientists say this is because it has a trait called neoteny, which means it looks like a baby its whole life. It also has fluffy appendages that look like feather boas.

Sadly, this adorable animal is critically endangered . Conservation efforts and breeding programs have had some success restoring axolotl populations to lakes in Mexico .

#6. Hedgehog

This tiny creature is known for its round, spiked body and intensely adorable facial expression. The hedgehog ( Erinaceusis ) is a member of the Erinaceinae family.

There are 15 species of hedgehog. This cute critter lives in Europe , Asia , and Africa . Hedgehogs were introduced to New Zealand . There are no hedgehogs in Australia or North America . Hedgehogs are tiny, but they are not defenseless. Their sharp teeth and spines make them difficult for predators to catch and eat.

While hedgehogs are not native to North America, they are becoming popular as pets in the U.S., the most common choice being the African pygmy hedgehog. A hedgehog can cost between $100-$300, but some states ban them as pets such as Georgia, California, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania.

Hedgehogs are listed as “least concern” for conservation status.

#5. Chevrotain

The Chevrotain ( Tragulidae ), is also known as the mouse deer. Chevrotains are native to the warmer parts of Southeast Asia , India , and parts of Africa .

The chevrotain is the world’s smallest hoofed mammal or ungulate. Scientists say they have rediscovered a type of chevrotain that had been “lost to science” for nearly 30 years.

There are several species of chevrotain, and they’re all tiny. Depending on the species, a chevrotain can weigh anywhere from 4 to 33 pounds. The smallest is the lesser Malay, and the largest is the water chevrotain.

This cute little baby looks like a tiny deer with the face of a mouse . This adorable animal, however, is under threat from habitat destruction and hunting.

#4. Sea Otter

Recently, a sea otter named Joey captured the hearts of YouTube viewers who watched as he was rescued from near death and raised at an otter sanctuary in Canada . Joey’s daily fight for survival and his love of toys drew millions of viewers.

That’s not surprising, since a sea otter is one of the most adorable animals on land or sea. The smallest marine mammal, the sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) is a marine mammal native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean . About 90% of the world’s sea otters live in Alaska .

What makes this furry ocean animal so cute? It has a small, round face and a tendency to float on its back in an adorable position. Even more enchanting, sea otters are known to hold hands when they float on the water together.

Sadly, sea otters were hunted to near extinction, and their population has not fully rebounded. Today, they are classed as endangered.

#3. Fennec Fox, the Smallest of All Foxes

The national animal of Algeria is also a delicate, slender beast with a baby face, fluffy paws, and enormous ears.

The fennec fox ( Vulpes zerd a) is a small fox that’s native to the Sahara Desert. It lives in Morocco , Mauritania , northern Niger , Egypt , and the Sinai Peninsula. Its big ears help it shed heat, which is how it can survive in those hot climates. The thick fur on its feet protects it from the scorching desert sands. It feeds on small birds , rodents, fruits, and reptiles . The smallest member of the canid family, a fennec fox only weighs about four pounds.

This cute fox lends its name to Algeria’s national football team, Les Fennecs. It is a protected species in Algeria , Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia .

Fennec foxes are plentiful, and they are listed as “least concern” for conservation status.

#2. Black-Footed Cat — Small but Fierce

The black-footed cat ( Felis nigripes ), also called the small-spotted cat, is the smallest wild cat in Africa and one of the smallest wild cats in the world. It stands between 14 and 20 inches tall. It has black or dark brown feet and a gorgeous, black and silver spotted coat.

This adorable wild cat has a small, round face and pointed ears. Its kittens weigh only three ounces at birth.

The black-footed cat is a nocturnal hunter that preys on birds , small rodents, and occasionally rabbits . In Africa , these little cats are known for their fierceness. One legend has it that a black-footed cat can bring down a giraffe .

Black-footed cats are found only in Botswana , Namibia , and South Africa . They live primarily in grass plains, scrub deserts, and sand plains, including the Kalahari and Karoo Deserts. The Wuppertal Zoo , Cleveland Metroparks Zoo , Brookfield Zoo , and Philadelphia Zoo have had success breeding black-footed cats in captivity.

#1. Quokka — The World’s Happiest Wild Animal

In the world of cute animals, it’s hard to pick just one winner, but the quokka’s friendliness gives it the edge. This small, cuddly creature is known for its sunny personality.

The quokka ( Setonix brachyurus ) is also known as the short-tailed scrub wallaby . It is a small, round creature about the size of a cat . Its face looks like a cross between a mouse and a rabbit . The quokka is a marsupial. It’s nocturnal and carries its young in a pouch.

The only place quokkas live is on Rottnest Island off the coast of Australia . It is one of the most remote locations in the world. Despite this, they have become so popular that they are now a tourist attraction. Locals say if you really want to show your love for quokkas, you should support conservation efforts that help preserve their territory. Quokkas are officially listed as “vulnerable” because of habitat loss.

Bonus: Three More Cute Animals That Didn’t Make the List

Our list of the cutest animals in the world is a good one – but allow us to present three honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list. You may never have heard of two of them – but one is an all-time favorite.

Pika

Pikas are native to Asia and North America and are possibly the most adorable creatures not to make the list. These tiny cuties like to live on mountaintops where they eat grasses and flowers. In autumn they pull hay to store in their burrows for the tough winter months. They are sometimes called the whistling hare because of their high-pitched alarm calls.

Rusty-Spotted Cat

All kittens and baby animals are adorable – but take a moment to behold the cuteness of a full-grown rusty-spotted cat! Look at its little face and its spotted feet! This fierce feline is one of the world’s smallest cats and one of the most successful predators in the cat family. It is native to India where it lives mostly in moist and dry deciduous forests and hunts by night. Feeding on mostly rodents and birds – this cat is lightning-fast – catching its prey before they even know it’s there.

Hamsters

We are all familiar with hamsters and how cute they look – but if you have ever had one as a pet you know that their behavior is just as charming as their sweet faces! They are always busy – organizing their seeds and making their beds cozy. They exercise in a little wheel for goodness sake! When they eat a radish slice they look like they are holding a giant lolly pop between two tiny mouse hands! When you come into the room they sit up and clasp their hands in front of them! You can hold them in your hand and they are so small that you rub their heads with your fingertip! There are many animals that look adorable – but not many that look cute just living their little lives! The rusty-spotted cat isn’t so cute while it’s killing a bird – but a hamster looks downright adorable nibbling on a seed.

In contrast, What is Considered the “Ugliest” Animal?

With no skeleton and no scales, the blobfish is an unusual deep-sea fish that lives off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. Their faces are oddly human-like and wear a perpetual frown. They can reach lengths of 12 inches and live in depths of 3,900 feet. Bless its heart.

Summary of the Top 10 Cutest Animals in the World

You met them and your heart melted. Let’s review those 10 critters that made our list for the cutest:

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