Times have been tough with the global pandemic looming all over us. We have suffered isolation like never before. Even the most stubborn introverts are sick of being cooped up inside their homes. Smiling hasn’t been easy. But now that the first ray of sunshine is visible, we can finally take a relieved breath and find things to bring in more laughs in our lives. Let’s work on that by enjoying these cute smiling animals to make your day.
Admit it, you can’t resist smiling when you see a baby or an animal smile. The pictures of smiling animals work like a soothing bath that just makes you forget all the stress of the day and melts your heart. In times like these when going out has begun to feel ‘not so normal anymore, we bring you these cute smiling animals to bring joy and some semblance of normalcy. Not that animals smiling is normal! Wink!
Do animals smile? After seeing these adorable pictures, it is obvious to have this question in your mind. Well, to answer that question, it is a yes and no. There is no such proof that animals smile or laugh. Some monkey and apes do smile when they are happy but that’s because you know, them being distant relatives of our great, great and great ancestors. This is the moment we should count our lucky stars for our ancestors’ evolution. Wink!
Several studies have shown that domesticated rats when tickled, let out a high-pitched sound that resembles a human laugh. Another controversial experiment discovered that mice have distinct facial expressions to express pain. It was also found that chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans use a play-pant laugh when tickled so it is not just the humans that laugh. But dolphins don’t smile despite them appearing to be grinning all the time.
So back to the question tickling your curiosity, we can’t be sure if the animals can smile. There are many contradicting theories about it. But chances are that when animals look like they are smiling, it is mostly just a case of pareidolia. Now pareidolia is a tendency of humans to see human faces in everything around us. In other words, it could be just in our heads. Bummer!
Sadly, we can’t be sure if your dog or cat really smiles at you with heart in his eyes. Although, a smile on your pet’s face does make your day seem brighter. However, it is seen that cats and dogs feel human emotions. One of the biggest signs of your dog’s happiness is when he is wagging his tail. Also when your dog is relaxed and lazy you can see his mouth wide open with his tongue lolling out. This makes your dog seem like he is smiling. It could be because of the ancient bonds between humans and dogs that they have adopted this expression.
Researchers will keep digging and theories will keep coming regarding animal behaviors. Why let that ruin our fantasy of animals laughing or smiling at us. Seriously, if it brings a grin to our faces, I don’t see any point in ruining that notion. Because there is no person on this earth who can’t feel a smile stretching their face when they see pictures of smiling animals.
Happy Pup
Now this guy looks like the epitome of happiness. Whatever treat got his tongue lolling out in happiness, we wish it keeps coming his way.
Smiling Baby Lamb
Aww! Lambs are cute on their own. Add a smile to a baby lamb’s face and we don’t know where to go to harden our hearts. Because this picture here keeps it melting!
Mischievous Owl
That owl looks like it has just shared a joke its friend or a hoot has just tickled it.
Cunning Cat
This cat looks like she got to eat all the canaries of the world. Unfortunate for the canary though!
Cute Chimpanzee
It as if almost looking in the mirror while teasing the hell out of somebody. Umm, almost! Wink!
Grinning Lizard
If you are like me and more than half the people in this world, then you definitely cringe at the sight of a lizard. But looking at this picture gotta admit that they don’t look so creepy.
Dorky Donkey
Now this guy looks like he is laughing his ass off here!
Soaking Happiness
Looks this guy here got to soak all the happiness in his bath time.
Charming Pig
If this doesn’t make you all gooey then I don’t know what will.
Teddy Bear
With that big smile on her face, this girl definitely looks like a teddy bear. Just ignore the claws!
It doesn’t matter if the animals are really smiling at you or not. What matters is that they look absolutely adorable while doing it and we can’t help but keep oohing and aahing over it. So let them do their thing and we can just take a lesson from them and start smiling too. After all, a smile makes everyone look beautiful!