wild animals

You may have seen the video of two sea otters holding hands that is now a cute-animal hall of famer, but you may be surprised to know that there is a pragmatic reason behind the hand-holding. Perhaps even more surprising, sea otters play a key role in the fight against global warming. And sure, they're considered to be one of the most playful animals of the sea, but did you know that they have an unexpected feisty side, too? They may be known for their stuffed-animal-like cuteness, but there is so much more to the sea otter that makes them one of the most fascinating, important, and resilient animals in the world. Here are seven reasons why these furry mammals are otterly lovable.

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It's time once again to check in with the world's zoo nurseries for the freshest batch of adorable babies! From mini monkeys and petite possums to tiny tiger cats and dainty deer, Fall is bursting with all kinds of twee. So sit down, brace yourself, and start clicking through these 20 sets of big baby eyes!

It's quite rare for a hippo to be born in captivity, but this little one — born on Sep. 7 at Planète Sauvage in Port-Saint-Père, France — is a week old and going strong! Baby hippos are born under water and weigh 60 to 110 pounds at birth. This plump cutie was born to 21-year-old mom Kara, and from now on he'll spend approximately half his life in the water. Our best wishes to mama and calf!

Fashion Week is a flurry of activity with models undergoing transformations at every turn, changing up their hair, makeup, and designer duds. In the wild, a similar metamorphosis is also taking place: in arctic regions, birds, foxes, rodents, and other creatures are beginning to molt their dark Summer fur and feathers for a Winter-appropriate white. An adaptation that allows predators to sneak up on their quarry and prey to hide amidst their surroundings, the white coats that these animals develop also help keep them warm in their frigid environments because instead of pigment, the cells in those feathers and hairs are filled with air, which serves as added insulation. Curious as to which animals I'm talking about? Then take a look through this slideshow!

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A group of owls is called a parliament, and these young'uns certainly must be holding court at the RSPCA's West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, England. Thirty-three baby birds found their way to the center between January and July, most likely due to the UK's turbulent weather this year. These tawny owlets are awaiting their release back into the wild . . . and hopefully not more ferocious wind!

With the Summer Olympics right around the corner, it looks like these 3-month-old cheetah cubs are training for everything from wrestling to the balance beam to the 100-meter dash. After a risky cesarean procedure in which veterinarians were able to save both the mother and the twins, the cubs were hand-raised when Mom abandoned them (which is apparently quite common in first-time mothers under human care). After the now-strong and speedy cubs' public debut this Saturday, the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC plans to name the duo after the fastest American male and female athletes in the 100-meter dash during the Olympic Games. One thing's for sure: they get a gold medal for cuteness!

If you read Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague as a child, you'll remember that the title character came from a wily band of feral horses living on a sandy strip of island just off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. Though beloved as a bedtime story, this was not a complete work of fiction: the horses exist on Assateague Island, fabled to be the descendants of survivors of a shipwrecked Spanish galleon!

Each July, local volunteers round up the horses and swim with the herd across the channel to Chincoteague, where some of the younger members are put up for auction on Pony Penning Day. This keeps the herd at manageable levels, and the proceeds of the auction benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.

In the wild, animals have adapted to the weather patterns of their natural habitats, from sweltering Summers to bone-chilling Winters. But for zoo animals, it's not as easy as relying on their genetic makeup. So what's a polar bear to do under that thick arctic coat when the Summer heat cranks up to maximum? Zoos and animals around the world have come up with a tactic or two to help their residents stay cool as a cucumber when the temperatures are hot as a jalapeño!