We know that post-election stress has got a lot of people down. But a newfound hope has come in the form of the Twitter hashtag #cuteanimaltweetoff, where America’s zoos and aquariums competed for the “cutest animal” gold on Wednesday.
According to Mashable, the friendly competition all began when the Smithsonian’s National Zoo uploaded a press release announcing the birth of their newest addition to the bunch, a gray baby seal pup.
We welcomed a gray seal pup Jan. 21. The pup appears to be nursing, moving & bonding well w/ mom. https://t.co/l0Bzu7g8ek #Squee pic.twitter.com/nEhuJe6vBk
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017
After seeing the press release, Virginia resident Sarah Janet Hill directly tweeted at the Virginia Aquarium asking for them to bring their A game. The aquarium didn’t hesitate and was quick to post a just-as-cute retaliation photo featuring an otter/osprey combo before a Twitter war ensued.
#challengeaccepted We see @NationalZoo 's seal pup, and raise an otter/osprey combo. pic.twitter.com/D9zDWXxuDb
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017
The Zoo shot back.
.@VAAquarium This is Redd, our endangered Bornean orangutan infant. And he is the cutest. Do you fold yet? #challengeaccepted pic.twitter.com/ED6WiZun1R
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017
Don't worry, we're still here. pic.twitter.com/0Qm9dcvMD9
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017
.@VAAquarium Yawn. pic.twitter.com/szDSpmWnud
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/Chumplet/status/824711555610804224
Eventually, more zoos and aquariums caught on to show that they, too, were up for the challenge. Then the random submissions stormed in. Here’s the quick recap that will surely lift your spirits and brighten up your day:
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
Can't believe we almost missed the #CuteAnimalTweetOff! Thanks for letting us know @CabernetLvr! pic.twitter.com/9gTgyc5i9A
— Seattle Aquarium (@SeattleAquarium) January 25, 2017
Wait, everyone! Our #redpanda cub wants to be included in the #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/0bL8UiHV8f
— Denver Zoo (@DenverZoo) January 26, 2017
Oh no she didn't! Our baby jaguar Babette just entered a selfie in the #cuteanimaltweetoff. pic.twitter.com/yj12hr8vdk
— Tulsa Zoo (@TulsaZoo) January 26, 2017
I think we found the 👑 of the #CuteAnimalTweetOff! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/5O4WTFXssd
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) January 26, 2017
Paws down, we have the cutest animal duo! 🐆🐶 #CuteAnimalTweetOff @ToledoZoo @clemetzoo @CincinnatiZoo @AkronZoo pic.twitter.com/suICnIEaOF
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) January 26, 2017
Kisses for baby giraffe Cora #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/6s5Gj6JzZB
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) January 26, 2017
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
Welcome this cozy cheetah cub to the #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/vdhUKmyRqa
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) January 26, 2017
It's not a competition, but … #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/bhZkbvetT4
— Reid Park Zoo (@ReidParkZoo) January 25, 2017
#CuteAnimalTweetOff
— Rick Schwartz (@ZoologyRick) January 25, 2017
(Red Panda 🎤 drop.) pic.twitter.com/eCeCN4OOf0
Leapin' Lemurs the #cuteanimaltweetoff is going strong. Behold our baby sifaka lemur. He's kind of cute, right? 💛 pic.twitter.com/9dNfyeJJ2d
— Maryland Zoo (@marylandzoo) January 25, 2017
Estrella is our #CuteAnimalTweetOff Star ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/0FAj2f3bjG
— San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (@sandiegozoo) January 25, 2017
We'll just leave this little bit #squee right here. #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/NxdiduKq5z
— Reid Park Zoo (@ReidParkZoo) January 25, 2017
Here we have an otterly adorable submission to #CuteAnimalTweetOff #OtterlyAdorable pic.twitter.com/GQzgUP19BQ
— Aquarium of the Pacific (@AquariumPacific) January 25, 2017
@NationalZoo Rudder says hi! #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/G38tJVE3Xd
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017
We're always down for a #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/hmkYOLBjrx
— ZooATL (@ZooATL) January 25, 2017
You’re welcome.