There are dopamine sources that may lead a person down an unhealthy path. Sugar is one of them, and so is junk food, gambling, and screen time.
On the other hand, you have dopamine sources that make you feel good without the guilt. Among them are things that allow for making meaningful connections, achieving a goal, and looking at adorable images.
So, dear readers, here’s another batch of photos featuring animals being unintentionally hilarious. Whether or not you’ve seen them, they will put you in a much better mood.
Enjoy the quick and hearty laughs, and don’t forget to upvote your favorites!
#1 Goat In A Coat Doin A Tappy On A Cappy
Image credits: EndersGame_Reviewer
#2 Is It Weird To Be Best Friends With A Cow?
Image credits: reddit.com
#3 Sassy Panda
Image credits: reddit.com
The dopamine release associated with looking at animal photos stems from a theory known as the baby schema effect. It also happens when we look at baby photos, all triggered by visual cues that come from a biological response.
The theory explains that the strong attraction and feelings of attachment stem from our innate urge to care for and protect animals, much like the way we care for young humans.
#4 Finally, It Only Took 43 Years
Image credits: HobbitonInTheShire
#5 Sadly, Unlike Ducks, Owls Aren’t Water Repellent! This Is How They Look Should They Find Themselves In The Rain
Image credits: astralrig96
#6 Looks Like An Old Villain Ready For Revenge
Image credits: InDespairHelpMeJK
These visual cues include specific facial features, such as large eyes and foreheads, as well as chubby cheeks and other rounded features. According to social psychologist Dr. Oriana Aragón, it is also a natural survival response.
“Our survival depends on us taking care of our young. It’s part of our human species to respond to these features,” she told CNN in a 2019 interview.
#7 Ever Wondered What The Opposite Of A Stork Was?
Image credits: The_Human_Event
#8 Pallas's Cat Born In Helsinki Zoo
Image credits: Pontus_Pilates
#9 Miss Beans Cuteness
Image credits: battlestargal
Apart from the dopamine rush, adorable photos, such as images of animals being funny, also improve short-term cognitive function. As University of Victoria neuroscientist Dr. Olav Krigolson explains, the cute photo elicits a powerful emotional response, which in turn promotes brain activity.
#10 Can't Quite Put My Paw On It
Image credits: meowz89
#11 I’ve Had Bramble For Two Years Now. He Was Such A Small Lamb That I Got Him For Free From A Farmer, But He Has Grown Into A Very Strong Boy! I Love Him So Much
Image credits: Modern-Moo
#12 Real Tragedy In Pictures
Image credits: Sullen_Valentine
The urge to gush over something cute is what the Japanese refer to as Kawaii. Apart from dopamine, it also promotes the release of oxytocin, otherwise known as the “cuddle chemical.” However, there’s a caveat: these images should catch you by surprise to induce the same strong reactions.
"If you are expecting to see kittens all the time, it won't trigger the reward system,” Dr. Krigolson stated.
#13 Long-Tailed Tit, Tiny Bird From Japan 🇯🇵
Image credits: Sartew
#14 Finalists For Comedy Wildlife Photography 2023
Image credits: 6sychonaut
#15 A College Near Me Had A Visitor (Trident Technical College)
Image credits: optigrabz
Now, it’s your turn, dear readers. Which of these photos caught your attention the most? What about it was so eye-catching for you? And did it, at the very least, boost your mood? Let us know in the comments!
#16 Found A Stray Cat In My Garage This Morning
Image credits: larson627
#17 Qtip, The New Addition
Image credits: LexiLaLa324
#18 Handpainted, I Think She Likes It!
Image credits: Makanilani
#19 A Canadian Goose That Comes Back Year After Year To Lay Her Eggs In My Neighbor's Plant Pot
Image credits: landlockedbluessk
#20 Poor Larry
Image credits: Carlykitten0Mood
#21 This Is Blossom. He Likes To Dig. And He's As Smart As He Looks
Image credits: CollieflowersBark
#22 View From My Kitchen Window This Morning
Image credits: k14w
#23 Stunted Growth
Image credits: theotherjaytoo
#24 Chick Hairstyle
Image credits: Rational_Rick
#25 Who Are You Today?
Image credits: HoneyBunny1719
#26 My Girlfriend Took This In The Yard Today!
Image credits: JulesMtl72
#27 I Think B
Image credits: Max-Carnage1927
#28 I Have The Most Perfect Photo
Image credits: WinterRedWolf
#29 Mean Goats Get The Pool Noodles
Image credits: Lewis-Louie
#30 The Rider
Image credits: fat_old_boy
#31 Revenge
Image credits: Humble_Issue_3010
#32 Sheep Invasion
Image credits: PanZolnierski
#33 Elephant Enters A Grocery Store In Thailand For Snacks
Image credits: Flamactor
#34 How She Looks At You After Saying She’s Not Hungry
Image credits: Clownbussy-
#35 I Caught Her Smiling!
Image credits: racemama29
#36 Here Is Jeff
Image credits: Confused-Cup
#37 My Uncle Sent Me This Photo. There’s A Rodeo In Town This Weekend, And The Performers Are Starting To Arrive
Image credits: hella_cious
#38 Pigeon
Image credits: BABBOSMAN1
#39 His Default Pose, The Feet Get Me Every Time😭🩷
Image credits: jessfsands
#40 Florida Horse Trainers Prepare For Hurricane By Shaving Their Phone Number In Horses Coat
Image credits: JAlbert653
#41 My Little Guy (His Name Is Lasagna, He Is Around 6/7 Years Old, We Have Had Him Since 2019)
Image credits: One_Force_555
#42 Does Anyone Else’s Hamster Push You Away With Their Tiny Arms When You Try To Kiss Them?
Image credits: TheSorrowInOurMinds
#43 "Oh My God I Have So Many Apples"
Image credits: Boojibs
#44 Scribble Is Getting So Big!
Image credits: Starchscreech
#45 A Fish Getting In A Mri Machine
Image credits: fearlessillusionist
#46 Baby Giraffe Born At Local Zoo. Trying To Look Like John Oliver With That Hair?
Image credits: DigMeTX
#47 Absolute Unit
Image credits: fat_old_boy
#48 Hamwork
Image credits: squishnot
#49 My Hammy Yearns For The Toilet Paper
Image credits: belaaababy
#50 Woke Up To This
Image credits: kirani100
