13 Disturbing Details About Animals That Look Adorable
With small paws, fluffy tails, and big, beautiful eyes, some animals are so cute that you can only imagine petting and cuddling with them. It’s easy to believe they’re nothing but pure innocence. No wonder most of these animals are commonly a part of children’s books. But nature? Nature loves a plot twist.
Behind those sweet faces, many of these animals have some serious disturbing habits. These could be anything from horrifying hunting tactics to unsettling hygiene practices. These adorable-looking animals prove that looks can be deceiving. So, without further ado, let’s get to these facts right away.
Otters
Credit: flickr
We love to watch otters holding hands, stacking pebbles, and floating on their backs. But here’s the part they don’t put in nature documentaries: male otters can be extremely violent. They’re not really the gentle river floaters you think they are. The mating process for female otters is so aggressive that some don’t survive. Suddenly, they don’t seem quite so cuddly, do they?
Koalas
Credit: Reddit
Koalas look like they belong in a stuffed animal store, but that could be a major betrayal. About 85% of them have chlamydia. That’s right, the adorable marsupials are walking disease factories. And it’s not just a fun fact to ruin your day. These animals can constantly drip urine, so if you ever get close enough to one, maybe don’t pick it up.
Platypuses
Credit: flickr
A platypus looks like a mix of animals a kid randomly picked out of a hat—duck bill, beaver tail, otter feet. Oh, and they also happen to be venomous. Males have spurs on their hind legs that deliver venom so painful that even morphine won’t help. The pain can last for weeks.
Sloths
Credit: flickr
These slow-moving animals believe in going big or home. These peaceful-looking animals have one habit that is surprisingly extreme: they only poop once a week. And when they do? They drop a third of their body weight in one massive dump. Scientists still don’t know exactly why they do this.
Armadillos
Credit: flickr
These harmless little roly-polies carry something pretty terrifying—leprosy. Yep, these armored cuties are one of the only animals besides humans that can contract and spread the disease. In some areas, up to 20% of armadillos are infected. So maybe keep your distance unless you’re in the mood for a very old-school illness.
Hedgehogs
Credit: flickr
Hedgehogs are undeniably cute, but they have a deeply weird habit. When they encounter a new scent, they start foaming at the mouth, licking themselves, and covering their spines in their own spit. Scientists are still trying to figure out why they do this—possibly for self-defense or as a way to spread scent—but either way, it’s a little unsettling.
Dolphins
Credit: flickr
Now, this one could be a little surprising, but Dolphins, who have a reputation for being playful and intelligent, have a much darker side to them. These seemingly cheerful creatures are known to attack porpoises for no reason, engage in violent mating behaviors, and even bully each other. They may look friendly, but they’re some of the most ruthless animals in the sea.
Pandas
Credit: flickr
If we have to describe Pandas in one sentence, we’d say they’re bad at everything except looking cute. They’re kind of a mess. They have the digestive system of a carnivore but only eat bamboo (which barely has any nutrients). They’re also horrible at reproduction, with females only being fertile for a couple of days a year. If it weren’t for conservation efforts, pandas probably wouldn’t still be around.
Baby Owls
Credit: Reddit
Owls are majestic and wise-looking, but have you ever seen a baby owl? They look like something out of a horror movie. Since their feathers grow in stages, baby owls often have fully developed heads while their bodies remain bare and scrawny. Imagine a fluffy owl face on a plucked, skeletal-looking frame—yeah, good luck sleeping tonight.
Rabbits
Credit: Reddit
These fluffy creatures are often seen as soft and gentle, but they have a brutal survival strategy. If a mother rabbit senses that one of her babies is weak or sickly, she won’t just abandon it—she’ll eat it. That’s right, those sweet little bunnies have a built-in “no weak links” policy.
Guinea Pigs
Credit: flickr
Guinea pigs are adorable little pets, but they form such strong social bonds that they cannot handle being alone. In fact, a lonely guinea pig can become so depressed that it stops eating and literally starves itself to death. Cute, but also incredibly tragic.
Beavers
Credit: flickr
You might know that these animals have impressive dam-building skills. What you might not know is that they can cause massive flooding. Their dams can back up rivers, destroy farmland, and even wash away roads. They may look like industrious little workers, but sometimes their home improvement projects wreak havoc on the environment.
Seals
Credit: flickr
There’s something weird about seals: some species have been observed engaging in necrophilia. That’s right, they don’t just mate with live seals. If that doesn’t ruin every cute seal video you’ve ever seen, I don’t know what will.
Slow Lorises
Credit: flickr
With their giant eyes and tiny hands, slow lorises look like the ultimate cute pet—but they’re actually one of the only venomous primates. They have special glands near their elbows that produce toxic secretions. When they feel threatened, they mix the venom with their saliva and deliver a painful, possibly deadly bite.
Parrots
Credit: flickr
These intelligent birds have bright feathers and the ability to mimic human speech, but parrots can also be incredibly manipulative. Some species have the intelligence of a 4-year-old child and know how to use it to their advantage. They can learn to guilt-trip their owners, trick them into giving extra treats, and even hold grudges. Basically, they’re adorable little masterminds.