The 40 Best Animal Cuddlers Of All Time

We all like cuddly animals, so it's probably for the best that someone is keeping track of these things.

1. This cat and this tortoise.

lite.35photo.ru

Why: This cat is a classic protective cuddler. Do you want to give that tortoise a hug too? Well, it's not happening. That tortoise is her cuddle buddy and she's not into sharing.

2. This hen and her puppy.

img2.sankakucomplex.com / Via forum.cafemontenegro.com

Why: Ever heard the term "mother hen"? Well, hens will mother the heck out of you if they're given half a chance. Luckily for everyone, this puppy is totally game for it.

3. These squirrels.

Via thestar.blogs.com

Why: Scientifically speaking, a pile of squirrels sleeping together is exponentially cuter than a single squirrel sleeping alone.

4. This mouse and this bird.

2.fimagenes.com / Via mascotas.facilisimo.com

Why: Is there anything more endearing than interspecies friendship? Just look at that bird sheltering that mouse under its wing. They're buds. Best buds. Best buds forever.

5. These owls.

dann-e.deviantart.com

Why: I tried my best to be objective about this, but OH MY GOD HIS EYES and HOLY CRAP her dreamy expression. These goddamned owls are making my heart explode.

6. This otter and this goat.

dailyotter.org

Why: Everyone knows that otters are superior cuddlers and we've obviously got a bashful goat here. So the otter is teaching the goat the art of cuddling. Have a pen and paper? Because you should be taking notes.

7. This dog, cat, and fox.

wildhumans.org / Via wildhumans.org

Why: Because three animal friends cuddling is better than two animal friends cuddling. It is a scientific fact.

8. These penguin chicks.

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Why: Is there anything more adorable than the bond between young siblings? Think about the last time you had a family portrait taken. Were you nearly as cuddly? I didn't think so.

9. This fox and this human.

pikdit.com

Why: Because any occasion where you can legitimately claim to have a "lap full of fox" is a good one.

10. These frogs.

i705.photobucket.com / Via yeepet.com

Why: Because they're frogs and I bet you didn't think frogs could cuddle, but they damn well CAN cuddle so just shut up and enjoy it.

11. These husky pups.

Via lollitop-hellas.blogspot.com

Why: Synchronized cuddling.

12. These koalas.

koraorganics.com

Why: You get cuddling bonus points for cuddling in a tree. Points are allotted based on height and botanical species.

13. These fawns and this dog.

Facebook: rockyridgerefuge

Why: The sly look on the dog's face. I mean, apart from the fact that this is an actual thing that happened.

14. This sheep and this goat.

Via frangonerd.blog.br

Why: You can tell from the look on their faces that they're really into this particular cuddle session.

15. This kitten and this dog.

windowswallpaper.org

Why: The kitten scored creativity points for "best use of floppy ears."

16. These pandas.

lovethesepics.com

Why: Refer back to the koalas and the previously stated rule about tree cuddling.

17. This kitten and this dog.

i55.tinypic.com / Via forosperu.net

Why: This kitten is obviously exploiting the "big animal, little animal" rule of cuteness, but we'll let it slide this time.

18. These sloths.

Flickr: yaklulu

Why: Slow cuddles are the best cuddles.

19. This tortoise and this puppy.

Facebook: rockyridgerefuge / Via attackofthecute.com

Why: Because that tortoise is all like "well, aren't you a nice puppy?" and... and well, I'm too choked up to go on.

20. This cat and these ducklings.

Via attackofthecute.com

Why: The fluff to fur ratio is about even. Symmetry is ideal.

21. These otters.

Via smilepost.ru

Why: The middle otter. Also, I reiterate my point about otters being superior cuddlers.

22. These bunnies.

Flickr: bivoir

Why: Stackable cuddling requires both artistry and effort.

23. These polar bears.

Via wallpaperswa.com

Why: Momma bear's blissful slumber paired with baby bear's cautious curiosity makes for one damned adorable cuddle session.

24. This sea lion and this penguin.

genckolik.net

Why: I'm pretty sure they're reenacting that scene from Titanic.

25. This kitten and this bird.

Via jeewithayatadahampasala.blogspot.com

Why: Because that bird doesn't give a crap that the cat might grow up and think about birds as lunch. It wants to cuddle so it's going to cuddle. Love transcends all diets.

26. These geckos.

Via outbackjoe.com

Why: Geckos are the happiest cuddlers. Keep smiling, you guys!

27. These dogs.

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Why: 1. That can't be comfortable, but that dog is in cuddle-mode and obviously doesn't give a fig about comfort. 2. That dog is wearing a jacket.

28. These fox kits.

Via asriran.com

Why: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

29. This cat and this sloth.

i.imgur.com / Via karmadecay.com

Why: It's a cat and a sloth. I want to say "internet over, everyone go home" but we've still got quite a few cuddlers to get through, so you're going to have to suck it up and suffer through the rest of this list.

30. This orangutan and these lion cubs.

zoophos.blogspot.com

Why: Because any time any animal adopts other orphan animals and looks that happy about it you've got a winning combination.

31. This bunny and this capybara.

blog.seesaa.jp

Why: Because I am pretty sure this is a Tove Jansson illustration come to life.

32. This hamster and this duckling.

Via tehcute.com

Why: Tiny animals cuddling together always works well. Also, that sparkle in their lovely eyes.

33. This piglet and this bunny.

catsmob.com / Via catsmob.com

Why: Role reversal. Normally we'd expect the pig to be bigger than the rabbit so the pig's diminutive size is what prompts the "SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

34. These baby raccoons.

wallpaperage.com

Why: There is something inherently adorable about notorious troublemakers appearing so innocent.

35. This monkey and this bird.

yeniansiklopedi.com

Why: It's all in how the monkey is gently caressing the bird's back.

36. These cats.

hoschie.deviantart.com / Via nothing-indeed.com

Why: The mother cat is forgiving the kitten. This a classic example of a redemption cuddle.

37. This kangaroo and this wombat.

today.com

Why: These orphan animals created their own cuddly family with each other.

38. This dog and this pony.

Facebook: rockyridgerefuge

Why: Puppies grow up to be dogs and puppy love and then blossoms into something like this.

39. This kitten and this potato.

3xaxa.ru

Why: Look, love is love. I don't ask questions. I don't judge. All I care about is their mutual happiness.

40. This duck and this owl.

Via szokblog.pl

Why: The duck's pleasure paired with the owl's skepticism. Don't worry, duck. You'll win him over eventually.