
Cute animals are everywhere. You see them on the internet all the time. They’re on memes, homepages of greeting card websites and have basically taken over social media. Here’s a collection of 10 cute animal facts you probably didn’t know.
1. Cats headbutt to show affection
Cats like to headbutt people as a show of trust, letting their owners know that they trust them. Also known as cat bunting, cats that headbutt are trying to bond with you, and are showing that they feel a connection with you.
2. Honey bees communicate through dance
Known as the ‘waggle’, honey bees dance to let other bees know where the good nectar is. Better still, this all happens in a special dance floor, which is reserved for honey bees that have found the best source.
3. Butterflies taste with their feet
Specifically, butterflies use what’s called ‘chemoreceptors’ on their feet to detect plant chemicals. Butterflies do this to determine which plants are safe for their caterpillars.
4. Cows have best friends
The University of Northampton have found that cows can form close friendships and intimate relationships, often feeling depressed when they’re separated – they can also have falling outs!
5. Squirrels will adopt other squirrels
Despite being territorial, squirrels have been known to adopt orphan baby squirrels and take them in as their own. Whilst rare, it mostly happens in squirrels that have some form of ancestral relationship with the orphan squirrel.
6. Otters carry their favourite rock
One of our favourite cute animal facts, otters will carry around their favourite rock. Stored in a pocket in their skin, otters will use their favourite rock to do things like crack open mollusks. Some otters will keep their favourite rock for their entire lives!
7. Goats have accents
Goats will change their vocal sound depending on their environment. When in similar environments, goats will start to sound similar in approximately 5 weeks – the time it takes for them to form social groups. The only other mammals to do this are humans, bats and whales!
8. Squirrels plant thousands of trees a year (accidentally)
Squirrels are well known for forgetting where they hid their nuts. However, thousands (if not millions) of trees are planted each year by forgetful squirrels.
9. Rats are ticklish
Better yet, they even enjoy it! Rats have been found to enjoy being tickled by emitting high-pitched giggles.
10. Penguins propose with a pebble
Once they’ve found their perfect partner, male penguins will propose with a pebble. However, not just any pebble. Male penguins will spend a long time trying to find the smoothest pebble for their proposal. If the female penguin likes the gift, they’ll add it to their nest and start building a pebble mound together
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This animal fact article was originally posted here.