Zoos compete to post the cutest animal picture
The news release that started a cute Twitter battle - seal pups at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Photo: Twitter/Smithsonian
Unbearable levels of cuteness are flooding Twitter timelines as zoos around the world take up a challenge to post the most adorable animal pictures.
What began as an announcement from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo of their newest addition has quickly escalated into a brutal competition of cuteness between zoos and aquariums across the United States, spreading quickly to the UK, and even a police departments with their dogs.
After seeing a press release for the zoo’s new grey seal pup, Virginia resident Sarah Hill tweeted the photo at the Virginia Aquarium with the words, “Your move”.
The aquarium accepted the challenge and responded with their own cute combination.
#challengeaccepted We see @NationalZoo 's seal pup, and raise an otter/osprey combo. pic.twitter.com/D9zDWXxuDb
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017
After seeing the back and forth between the two, other US zoos and aquariums chimed in.
Here’s a sample, from Queens Zoo in New York to Seattle Aquarium in Washington, and over to London Zoo.
And Sarah Hill is re-tweeting all the entries if you want to head over to Twitter for the #cuteanimaltweetoff.
A warning: diving deep into this internet vortex will waste the rest of your day.
#cuteanimaltweetoff? Bam: an oldie but a goodie. pic.twitter.com/6kjrTXG9dl
— Bronx Zoo (@BronxZoo) January 25, 2017
Welcome this cozy cheetah cub to the #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/vdhUKmyRqa
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) January 26, 2017
Ahem, the world's smallest deer checking in for the #cuteanimaltweetoff. #pudu pic.twitter.com/b4sZbQTz56
— Queens Zoo (@thequeenszoo) January 25, 2017
"Excuse me, can I get in on this, too?" #CuteAnimalTweetOff pic.twitter.com/MATHGrJgvI
— Elmwood Park Zoo (@ElmwoodParkZoo) January 25, 2017
Paws together for the #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/uBtrncX7rN
— EmergenSea Otter (@EmergenSeaOtter) January 25, 2017
Baby ocelot Santos will make your day! #cuteanimaltweetoff #tbt pic.twitter.com/19nWtdBf7P
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) January 26, 2017
There's a #cuteanimaltweetoff going down…
Our red panda ends it here! *drops mic* pic.twitter.com/whcYxHo1I0
— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) January 26, 2017
#TBT to when our adorable Sumatran tiger cubs were just a few days old! #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/C6QmJHYmLw
— London Zoo (@zsllondonzoo) January 26, 2017
Y'all, we might be late to the #cuteanimaltweetoff, but we have a strong contender. Meet Rowan! pic.twitter.com/2BxGS4s381
— Memphis Zoo (@MemphisZoo) January 26, 2017
We're always down for a #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/hmkYOLBjrx
— ZooATL (@ZooATL) January 25, 2017
Waiting for @ElmwoodParkZoo to feature me in this #CuteAnimalTweetOff like… 🕐 pic.twitter.com/X7bsl2jliV
— Stella the Owl (@StellaEPZ) January 26, 2017
Here’s an entry from a Virginia police department.
Meet Juneau our newest bloodhound pup! We are starting a working dog #CuteAnimalTweetOff #FCPDCutenessAlert #FCPDK9 pic.twitter.com/UMl6aCHUmN
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 26, 2017