Flocke

Flocke didn't kick the bucket (literally), but boy did she have some fun with one. The hands-down winner of the cutest polar bear poll turned 8 months old today. While I loved her divine dancing skills, I also can't get enough of her playing with DIY toys over in Nuremberg Zoo — hey, there's no need for fancy props with a face that adoro.

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OK, maybe she's not technically dancing but doesn't she look like she's about to drop it like it's hot?! Flocke already knows how to pose for the camera and it's only her first week of public appearances – she'll be a lil superstar for sure. Because you know I think this bear is the cutest of them all – especially when she busts a move – check out more piccys when you read more

Hello there, Flocke! How nice to see you again! We first caught a glimpse of this polar bear when she was just five weeks old. Well, now she's a whole three months and cuter than ever! Now, we can't forget the world famous Knut, but I bet lil Flocke will give him a run for his money. Check out her media presentation today – the public one doesn't come 'til tomorrow – which I've included in an awwwww-dorable gallery. I don't know about you all, but (about 20 minutes later) I've found my new desktop picture. See pictures of the bear with her blankie (!), swimming, jumping, eating, and more posing when you just read more

Remember Flocke? She's no longer the itty-bitty-teddy we met three months ago. Girlfriend's grown up and she's strutting her stuff. Watch Flocke stomp around in unfamiliar territory and then clean up after a tough day's work— being this cute ain't easy, you know? (Let's hope this fame doesn't go to her head as it did for someone else we know. . .)

Look familiar? She should. Not too long ago, we watched Flocke (German for snowflake) sleep and snore away her first few weeks in a Nuremberg zoo. She's grown up a bit and can now lift her own head — to take a long, hard stare at her adorable self in the mirror, natch. With those itty-bitty teddy ears, I don't blame her.

If you recall the film featuring this big-eared pachyderm and his animated mouse pal, you'll remember he wasn't too keen about meeting this rodent. Now, I'm not sure where the idea that elephants are scared of mice originated from, but I'd like to take the time to assure you, it's not entirely true!

Think about it. Picture the size of an elephant. Then, picture the size of a mouse. Picture the size of the elephant's lil' eyes checking out that lil' guy. Although pachyderms can smell and hear things that are far away, their eyesight is poor and their eyes teensy in relation to their enormous heads (that can just turn slightly from side to side). Furthermore, there's no scientific evidence that elephants are fearful of many animals in the wild, and it's been shown that the two species coexist peacefully in captivity. Mice can make their homes in the elephants' hay and straw . . . and probably don't even get a second glance way down there from the big ones.

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It's official — this 5-week-old polar bear cub has been named Flocke by zookeepers in Nuremberg today. They'd already affectionately dubbed the fuzzy one with that name meaning "flake" and ended up sticking to it. This baby was rescued after mother bear, Vera, appeared to be increasingly aggressive towards the cub, picking her up and dropping her . . . and just days after another new zoo mother bear, Vilma, ate her two babies. Despite Flocke's young age, her international popularity may soon rival Knut, the hand-raised Berlin Zoo "orphan" that turned one back in December. I can't wait to see more pictures and videos of both cubs growing up . . . and wonder if there will one day be a love connection between the two?!

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