Welcome to the Top 10 Cutest Animals in 2023.
Have you ever dreamt of seeing the Cutest Animals around the world? We have compiled a list of some animals we think are adorable!
Humans just can’t resist the charm of baby animals, no matter the species. It’s like we’re hardwired to go “aww” whenever we see a tiny version of anything. Experts say it’s because our natural urge to take care of our own babies kind of overflows and makes us all mushy for anything even remotely baby-ish.
If you love animals as much as we do, read to learn more about some of the top-voted cutest animals around the globe.
Table of Contents
Key points
#1 Margay
Where to see Margays
#2 Red Panda
Where to see Red Pandas: The Top 10 cutest animals
#3 Elephant Shrew
Where to see Elephant Shrew: The top 10 cutest animals
#4 Meerkat
Where to see Meerkats
#5 Quokka
Where to see Quokkas
#6 Flapjack Octopus
#7 Fennec Fox
Where to see Fennec Foxes
#8 Klipspringer
Where to see Klipspringers
#9 Numbat
Where to see Numbats
#10 Japanese Weasel
Where to see Japanese Weasels
Summary of the Top 10 Cutest Animals in 2023
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Key points
| Rank | Animal | Description | Habitat and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Margay | Small wild cat from Central and South America. Solitary and nocturnal. Forest-dweller. | Rainforests, deciduous and evergreen forests. |
| 2 | Red Panda | Carnivore native to eastern Himalayas and China. Resembles pandas, but smaller. | Protected areas in Myanmar, Bhutan, India, Nepal, China. |
| 3 | Elephant Shrew | Small mammals native to Africa. Have long, mobile noses. Prefer sandy soil habitats. | Southern Namibia, Botswana, South Africa. |
| 4 | Meerkat | Small mongoose from southern Africa. Social animals with distinct roles in groups. | Makgadikgadi Pans (Botswana), Kgalagadi Park. |
| 5 | Quokka | Known as happiest animals. Nocturnal herbivores. Found on smaller islands off Western Australia. | Rottnest Island, Bald Island, forest and heath areas. |
| 6 | Flapjack Octopus | Umbrella octopus with cute appearance but is also a predator. Lives in the deep ocean. | Deep ocean depths, 200-1500 meters. |
| 7 | Fennec Fox | Small nocturnal fox with huge ears to dissipate heat. Native to Sahara Desert and Sinai Peninsula. | Sandy Sahara and North Africa. |
| 8 | Klipspringer | Small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. Agile and sure-footed. Active during mornings. | Eastern and southern Africa, Karoo National Park. |
| 9 | Numbat | Tiny marsupial native to Australia. Eats termites. Endangered due to habitat destruction. | Southwest Western Australia, two natural populations. |
| 10 | Japanese Weasel | Small carnivorous mammal native to Japan. Orange-brown fur with white throat. | Forested areas near water, grasslands, villages. |
#1 Margay
The margay is a small wild cat native to Central and South America, and in our opinion this adorable feline doesn’t get nearly enough attention!
The margay is a solitary and nocturnal cat lives mainly in primary evergreen and deciduous forests. Margaypreferslifeinrainforests, deciduous and evergreen forests, but it can also be spotted near the coffee and cocoa plantations.
Populations are declining as their forest ranges are reduced by human conversion to agriculture, pasture, and infrastructure development.
Margayslike to live in thick forests, where there are plenty of trees for them to climb. They do not like to live in open spaces and have been found in Central America, Mexico, and Northern South America.
Where to see Margays
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, North Puntarenas
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a Costa Rican reserve with over 10,500 hectares of cloud forest. It draws roughly 70,000 visitors a year.
You might also like to read our list of the Cutest Baby Animals!
#2 Red Panda
The red panda is a carnivore native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.Red Pandas were first named ‘panda’, roughly fifty years before the black and white variety.
These pandas typically grow to the size of a house cat.
Where to see Red Pandas: The Top 10 cutest animals
Red pandasare in protected areas throughout their range, including parks in Myanmar, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and China.
#3 Elephant Shrew
Elephant shrews, also called jumping shrews or sengis, are small mammals that feed on insects native to Africa. They take theirnamefrom their long, pointed head and very long, mobile, trunk-like noses.
Short-earedelephant shrews livein southern Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. They prefer a habitat where they can burrow into sandy soil, including arid semi-desert, dry grass, and shrubland.
Where to see Elephant Shrew: The top 10 cutest animals
The checkeredelephant shrewis found in Central Africa; the golden-rumpedelephant shrewis endemic to Kenya; the grey-facedshrewis confined to two forests in Tanzania, and the black and rufouselephant shrewis found in East Africa.
#4 Meerkat
The meerkat or suricate is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. It is characterized by a broad head, large eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern. Meerkats are incredibly social and often groom or play with each other.
They tend to live in groups; Meerkat groups have a highly developed social structure, with individuals playing essential roles in the community.
Where to see Meerkats
The most likely place tosee meerkats is in Botswana, around the Makgadikgadi Pans in the Kalahari Desert. This vast complex of salt pans covers around 10,000 km2 and is home to numerousmeerkatfamilies – known as clans or mobs.
Another popular destination is the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, one of the best places to look for meerkats, straddling the border between South Africa and Botswana. This large, semi-arid region provides an ideal habitat formeerkatsto thrive.
#5 Quokka
The quokka is also known as the short-tailed scrub wallaby. Known as the happiest animals in the world, Quokkas are herbivores who primarily feed at night, meaning they are mainly nocturnal.
They eat the leaves, stems, and bark of many plants in addition to grass. If necessary, they can survive for long periods without food or water by living off the fat stored in their tails.
Where to see Quokkas
The only place to see Quokkas are on some smaller islands off the coast of Western Australia.
Particularly Rottnest Island, just off Perth, and Bald Island near Albany, and in isolated, scattered forest and coastal heath populations between Perth and Albany.
#6 Flapjack Octopus
Opisthoteuthis California, also known as the flapjack octopus or adorabilis, is a species of umbrella octopus.
They might look cute and innocent, but these adorableoctopusescan hunt and kill their prey.
Where to see Flapjack Octopuses
TheFlapjack Octopuslives in the very deep ocean, where there is little light. The newly hatched can be found at around 200 meters depth, while the depth range of the adults is from 500 to 1500 meters.
#7 Fennec Fox
The fennec fox is a small nocturnal fox native to the Sahara Desert and the Sinai Peninsula. Its most distinctive feature is its enormous ears, which dissipate heat. The fennec is the smallest dog family species.
Where to see Fennec Foxes
Fennec foxesdwell in the sandy Sahara and elsewhere in North Africa. Their nocturnal habits help them deal with the searing heat of thedesertenvironment, and some physical adaptations help.
#8 Klipspringer
The klipspringer is a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. Klipspringers inhabit mountain ranges of eastAfricafrom the Red Sea Hills to the Cape and north to Angola along coastal ranges and river gorges. Adultklipspringersare agile,quick, and sure-footed, which helps them dodge danger.
Just Browsing.Klipspringersare primarily active during the early morning and late afternoon hours, resting during the hottest day.
Where to see Klipspringers
Karoo National Park: The Karoo National Park, founded in 1979, is a wildlife reserve in the Great Karoo area of the Western Cape, South Africa, near Beaufort West.A great place to guarantee klipspringer sightings!
#9 Numbat
The Numbat,or known as the banded anteater (due to its appearance), is a tiny endangered marsupial animal native to Australia.Numbats are unique because they have long sticky tongues that allow them to pick up termites, which make up their exclusive diet.
Unfortunately, Numbats are endangered due to many factors, of which the most concerning is Habitat destruction. As a result, fewer than 1,000 Numbats are left in the wild.
Where to see Numbats
Numbatswere found across much of arid and semi-arid southern Australia; however, only two naturally occurring populations remain in southwest Western Australia. The remaining two natural populations are Dryandra Woodland and Tone/Perup Nature Reserve.
#10 Japanese Weasel
Japanese weaselsare small carnivorous mammals native toJapan. Their fur is orange-brown with darker markings on the head. The fur on the throat is usually white. Females in this species are smaller than males.
Where to see Japanese Weasels
Japanese weasels arenative toJapanand occur on Honshū, Kyūshū, and Shikoku islands. They typicallylivein mountainous or forested areas near water. Theytend to be located in grasslands, villages, and suburbs but try to avoid big cities.
Summary of the Top 10 Cutest Animals in 2023
Which animals did you find the cutest? Let us know in the comments below if you’d love to travel to encounter any of the top 10 cutest animals mentioned above.
If you loved learning fun facts about the top 10 cutest animals, look at our other notable wildlife feature blogs, including the top 10 most endangered animals, the top 10 ugly animals, and the top 5 most rare species.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the top 5 cutest animals?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but many people find animals like puppies, kittens, pandas, baby elephants, and red pandas to be among the cutest.
Where are the cutest animals in the world?
Cute animals can be found all around the world, from rainforests to savannas. Some particularly cute species can be found in places like Australia (koalas and kangaroos), China (pandas), and various animal sanctuaries.
What is the first cutest animal?
It’s hard to pinpoint the “first” cutest animal, as cuteness is subjective and has evolved over time. However, early humans likely found baby animals and those with “baby-like” features endearing.
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- About
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Jan Otte
Jan loves Wildlife and Animals and is one of the founders of Animals Around The Globe. He holds an MSc in Economics and is a passionate PADI Open Water Diver. His favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Tigers, and Great White Sharks. He lived in South Africa, Germany, the USA, Ireland, Italy, China, and Australia.
Please send any feedback to [emailprotected]
Latest posts by Jan Otte (see all)
- Discover The 5 Best Dog Breeds for Snake Control in New York - January 8, 2024
- Ranking the Top 5 Most Dangerous Animals in Direct Combat - December 31, 2023
- Watch: Sloth vs Young Harpy Eagle – Sloth Fights Back - December 27, 2023
- About
- Latest Posts
Jan Otte
Co-Founder at Animals Around The Globe
Jan loves Wildlife and Animals and is one of the founders of Animals Around The Globe. He holds an MSc in Economics and is a passionate PADI Open Water Diver. His favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Tigers, and Great White Sharks. He lived in South Africa, Germany, the USA, Ireland, Italy, China, and Australia.
Please send any feedback to [emailprotected]
Latest posts by Jan Otte (see all)
- Discover The 5 Best Dog Breeds for Snake Control in New York - January 8, 2024
- Ranking the Top 5 Most Dangerous Animals in Direct Combat - December 31, 2023
- Watch: Sloth vs Young Harpy Eagle – Sloth Fights Back - December 27, 2023
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or opinions, but I can provide you with information about the concepts mentioned in the article. Here's a breakdown of the information related to each of the animals mentioned in the article:
Margay
The margay is a small wild cat native to Central and South America. It is a solitary and nocturnal animal that primarily inhabits primary evergreen and deciduous forests. Margays can also be found near coffee and cocoa plantations. Unfortunately, their populations are declining due to human activities such as agriculture, pasture, and infrastructure development. Margays prefer to live in thick forests with plenty of trees for climbing. They can be found in Central America, Mexico, and Northern South America [[1]].
Red Panda
The red panda is a carnivorous mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It resembles a panda but is smaller in size. Red pandas are found in protected areas throughout their range, including parks in Myanmar, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and China [[2]].
Elephant Shrew
Elephant shrews, also known as jumping shrews or sengis, are small mammals native to Africa. They are insectivores and have long, mobile, trunk-like noses. There are different species of elephant shrews, each with its own habitat. For example, the short-eared elephant shrew is found in southern Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, preferring sandy soil habitats such as arid semi-deserts, dry grass, and shrublands [[3]].
Meerkat
The meerkat, or suricate, is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. Meerkats are known for their social behavior and distinct roles within their groups. They tend to live in groups and have a highly developed social structure. Popular locations to see meerkats include the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which straddles the border between South Africa and Botswana [[4]].
Quokka
The quokka, also known as the short-tailed scrub wallaby, is a small herbivorous marsupial native to Western Australia. Quokkas are known as the happiest animals in the world and are primarily nocturnal. They can be found on smaller islands off the coast of Western Australia, such as Rottnest Island and Bald Island, as well as in isolated forest and coastal heath populations between Perth and Albany [[5]].
Flapjack Octopus
The flapjack octopus, also known as Opisthoteuthis Californiana or adorabilis, is a species of umbrella octopus. While they have a cute appearance, flapjack octopuses are also predators. They live in the deep ocean at depths ranging from 200 to 1500 meters, where there is little light [[6]].
Fennec Fox
The fennec fox is a small nocturnal fox native to the Sahara Desert and the Sinai Peninsula. It is known for its distinctive feature of having enormous ears that help dissipate heat. Fennec foxes are found in sandy areas of the Sahara and other parts of North Africa [[7]].
Klipspringer
The klipspringer is a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. They inhabit mountain ranges from the Red Sea Hills to the Cape and north to Angola along coastal ranges and river gorges. Klipspringers are agile and sure-footed, and they are primarily active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. The Karoo National Park in South Africa is a great place to see klipspringers [[8]].
Numbat
The numbat, also known as the banded anteater, is a tiny marsupial native to Australia. Numbats have long sticky tongues that allow them to pick up termites, which make up their exclusive diet. Unfortunately, numbat populations are endangered due to habitat destruction. Only two naturally occurring populations remain in southwest Western Australia, specifically in Dryandra Woodland and Tone/Perup Nature Reserve [[9]].
Japanese Weasel
The Japanese weasel is a small carnivorous mammal native to Japan. It has orange-brown fur with darker markings on the head, and the fur on its throat is usually white. Japanese weasels are typically found in mountainous or forested areas near water, as well as in grasslands, villages, and suburbs. They tend to avoid big cities [[10]].
Please note that the information provided above is based on the search results and may not include the most up-to-date information beyond the knowledge cutoff date.
