Beautiful Animals

Me neither

I have often wondered how we can look at an animal, even of unknown species and know it's still in early childhood.

Roger, Baby mammals have certain similar characteristics that we've come to recognize as childhood. (Some of the following comes from an article on the Internet: What is neoteny, or, why are baby animals cute? MaryEllen Schoeman)

For example, disproportionately large eyes and/or heads (both of which are seen in baby humans, for example), limbs out of proportion to the body (long and delicate, like foals, or baby deer; or short and stumpy, like puppies and kittens), and blunted/non-threatening snouts and ears in the case of predatory mammals.

Excessive fuzziness is also characteristic of almost all mammal young, and serves different functions in different animals.

Interesting - when Roger asked I wondered if it is just a mammal thing. Baby crocs are kind of cute. Really young birds aren't generally (except for chickens and ducklings, oh and penguins - oh probably lots). Baby flies are kind of revolting. Fishes don't change morphology much. Amphibians are cute but only because of the size (mini me). Interestingly really young marsupials aren't cute until they fur up. Is it hard wiring or something else?

Thanks for introducing neotony (which I've heard before, but this time the meaning will stick). My word for the day. Maybe it's why it takes a couple of episode of a new show to decide the series is crap

I guess we'll have to wait until the inevitable showdown with the Eastern Pirate Sloth for it to display itself.

Agreed, Baby Pandas Are Cute. But Why?
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/01/10/169057467/agreed-baby-pandas-are-cute-but-why

Foist of all, Mr. tsar, who says baby pandas are cute. Please don't assume.

Second of all, your link says pretty much what I said. That neotany business.

Third of al. Ok, so baby pandas are cute.

Fourth of all, thanks for the link.

Fifth of all, I think lesser panda (aka red panda) cubs are at least as cute as the bigger ones. One person's opinion.

Basket star (in the same family as sea stars):

Cavalier King Charles spaniel. I had an encounter in the bank today with a member of this breed. Lifted my spirits.

Eve's got one of them. Calls him Liam.

Pere David's deer. Extremely rare:

wonderful eye keyhole...

Seasonal Clydesdales....


G'night New York....

I think that red pandas are cuter then their more common black and white counter parts.

Edgar, Never saw a herding bunny before. Who knew? Thanks.

Barry, Love to see winter horses. And the kitty and the collie are priceless. Thanks.

tsar, I suspect that you said that about the red panda to appease me and shut me up. Well, I'm appeased, but it will take more than that to shut me up.

Baby gibbon:

The baby gibbon is right in tune with new hair styling.

Baby bonobo:

Baby orangutan:

It may be a face, form, color, pattern, whatever.