Members of the science community are having a blast this week on Twitter as they participated in the #CuteOff challenge. Last week, the same community initiated the #JunkOff trend that showed the best and worst of animal genitalia, but this new photo challenge is a lot easier on the eyes.
Scientists shared photos of some of the cutest creatures they have encountered in their line of work, and having access to some of the world's most unusual species, they also got to share a different version of what "cute" means in their world.
The National Science Foundation presented the most adorable loris, and there are, apparently about 25 species of this cuteness!
DYK There are about 25 species of #loris worldwide. https://t.co/v7hpgvJWOe #CuteOff pic.twitter.com/tERIQoOgoq
— National Science Fdn (@NSF) September 1, 2015
This scientist showed off a tiny cuttlefish called the Sepiola atlantica. Look at how small it measures!
This #CuteOff needs moar inverts: The #SQUEEE is strong in this freshly-hatched little #cuttlefish, Sepiola atlantica pic.twitter.com/gA3QwC1hVW — Carina M. Gsottbauer (@CarinaDSLR) August 31, 2015
Spiders are cute? This entomologist thinks so!
Joining the #CuteOff with my Paraphidippus sp. Still one of my all-time fav shots I got (https://t.co/EaYRsDvlpX) pic.twitter.com/KixjXstpuK — Kali Clark (@LycosidaeLove) September 1, 2015
She shared another one photo of a cute bug who thinks it's a reindeer.
Bugs are adorable, especially when they play "let's be reindeer" #CuteOff pic.twitter.com/jfE6UZsIJg — Bea's Bugs (@arthrobea) September 1, 2015
Aww, this Pteromys momonga! Don't you just wanna keep it warm with a blanket?
I present you Pteromys momonga, as my entry into this #CuteOff contest. https://t.co/cPc2rtCnuH pic.twitter.com/JecnCEo9Ba — Benjamin Burger (@benjamin_burger) September 1, 2015
This guy easily wins the cuteness crown hands down...
Let's just make it clear, this old pic of my friend Haui-san pretty much takes #CuteOff to a whole new level. pic.twitter.com/Kd7M0nNJEf — ZooKeeper Rick (@ZooKeeperRick) September 1, 2015
But this guy may steal the crown from him!
Whaaat?! A #CuteOff ?! Bombards twittersphere with orphan #chimp baby Toto pics pic.twitter.com/oBbi6DwDxq — Jill Pruetz (@jillpruetz) September 1, 2015
What about this gecko? It's as if its waiting for someone to adopt him. Look at that smile!
Leopard gecko smile #TeamHerpetology #cuteoff pic.twitter.com/XcyIVMJZKF — Somantha KC (@SomanthaK) September 1, 2015
The Smithsonian also joined in the fun and shared a couple of rays from Chesapeake Bay
It's a #CuteOff folks! Look at these #ChesapeakeBay cownose rays! Can we get a SQUEE up in here?! pic.twitter.com/QJONfW63F7
— SmithsonianEnv (@SmithsonianEnv) September 1, 2015
Check out the rest of what these scientists have shared by following the #CuteOff hashtag on Twitter.
Scientists have also participated in other Twitter photo challenges in the past, such as the #FieldWorkFail challenge and the #DistractinglySexy challenge, as reported by HNGN.
