When considering what article to write next for our blog I thought over a lot of very serious topical issues. I then got distracted by cute baby animal pictures. I hope you enjoy reading this article as much as I did writing it. The top 8 cutest babies of the African continent…
1. Elephant calf
Elephant calf eco companion
Found across the majority of Africa these cute little buggers are one of the easiest to find. Dumbo is probably mainly at fault for our particular love for them.
One to tell your friends… Elephants pregnancy lasts up to 22 months, one of the longest of any mammal.
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/tours/elephant-lodge-safari
2. Lion cub
Lion cub eco companion
The most famous of the list, lion cubs are everyone’s original favourite. I know it was another movie that got me emotionally attached to the them in the classic ‘The Lion King’.
One to tell your friends… when a litter of cubs is born all of the lionesses of the group comes together to help with mothering duties. I’m sure most mums (mine included) would love that kind of help with raising their kids!
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/tours/big-cat-safari-in-south-africa
3. Meerkat pup
meerkat eco companion
Look at him! What’s not to love? Every seen Meerkat Manor? Google it. You can thank me later.
One to tell your friends… Meerkats have up to 8 pups at a time. Imagine how mum must feel after that!
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/tours/desert-tracker
4. Leopard cub
Leopard cub eco companion
On a scale of 1 to 10 on the cuddleometer this graceful little cat has to be right up there.
One to tell your friends… When a cub is born they weigh only a pound and are totally blind so completely dependent on their mother.
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/lodges/kichwa-tembo-tented-camp
5. Giraffe calf
giraffe eco companion
The biggest of all our babies, the giraffe calf has to also be the friendliest of the list.
One to tell your friends… The calf has one of the more dramatic entries in the world, dropping almost 2 metres to the floor from its mother.
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/tours/ultimate-african-adventure
6. Cheetah cub
Cheetah cub eco companion
The cheetah cub easily makes the list with it’s unique facial markings and solemn expression.
One to tell your friends… the cubs perhaps have a more solemn expression due to the predicament they’re born in to. High amounts of predation combined with a lack of genetic diversity lead to over 90% of cubs dying within 3 months of birth.
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/lodges/the-vuyani-lodge
7. Wild dog pup
Wild dog eco companion
Dogs will always be man’s best friend, even if these ones are a little more feisty than your golden labrador.
One to tell your friends… They have the largest litter size of any canid of up to 20 and so put our earlier entry the meerkat to shame. I tip my hat to the wild dogs mother!
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/lodges/the-vuyani-lodge
8. Infant gorilla
Gorilla baby eco companion
Gorillas are one of 4 closest relatives to us genetically. I find it unbelievable anyone ever questions this after looking in to the eyes of an infant gorilla.
One to tell your friends… Mothers create a nest of leaves on the ground for them and their infant to sleep in each night by pulling down trees.
See them in person: http://www.ecocompanion.com/tours/troop-to-the-gorillas
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The Author Max Sinclair
Even as a child Max was destined to fall in love with ecotourism. His favourite lesson was biology and his favourite celebrity was Attenborough! Some of his personal highlights from his travels include the Gray Langur Monkeys of Rajasthan, a Lion charging down his land rover in Kruger National Park and seeing a Blue Whale glide under his boat off the coast of Boston, USA.
29 Comments General
29 comments
Kas Sommers
September 30, 2015 5:15 pm
Nice article. The babies are so sweet. I’ll see more of Africa one day.
Reply
Violetta Kafourides
October 20, 2015 11:50 am
Beautiful animals, beautiful pictures!! My favorite animal from here is the Meercat!! Saw prog. in UK how they look after each other & their young, example for us!!
Reply
Violetta Kafourides
October 20, 2015 11:52 am
Beautiful animals, beautiful pictures!! Love Meercats Saw prog. in UK how they look after each other & their young, example for us!!
Reply
Violetta Kafourides
October 20, 2015 11:52 am
Beautiful animals, beautiful pictures!! Love Meerkats Saw prog. in UK how they look after each other & the
ir young, example for us!!
Reply
Kimberley
October 25, 2015 9:29 pm
OMG!!! Those babies are so cute
Reply
Andrew
October 28, 2015 7:31 pm
Great photos – very cute!