From the chubby cheeked squirrel to the red-eyed tree frog, the animal world around us has incredibly expressive facial expressions, according to the BBC.
Squirrels (Tamias spp) are the smallest species in the squirrel family and are very active. They are often featured as characters in Hollywood blockbuster animations. Out of the 25 different species of squirrels, 24 are found in North America. Looking at this photo makes us happy, we can’t help but smile and follow, taking pictures of its actions.
The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), also known as the Louisiana Heron, is an average-sized bird with vibrant colors found in the estuarine areas of America. When flying or resting, it holds its long neck in a S-shaped curve. This is also the reason why the author Peter compared his photo of the surprised-looking heron to the Scream painting by the painter Edvard Munch.
The Moose, also known as “moose” in North America and “elk” in Europe (Alces alces), is the largest species in the deer family. They can grow up to two meters or more, up to the shoulder. They only live in cold areas, as their bodies cannot sweat, while their guts always exude heat. Tor captured the image of this head-shaking moose in Sweden.
The Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas) belongs to one of the most colorful and unusual residents of Central America. It is named for its distinctive eye color. When threatened, this tropical rainforest dweller will light up its red eyes, orange legs, and blue-green sides to intimidate its enemies and grab short opportunities to escape. The picture was taken by Giorgia at Oasi di Sant’Alessio, Pavia, Italy.
Orangutans (Pongo spp), the only species of great apes in Asia, are the largest and most intelligent primates in the forest. There are two species, one on Borneo Island and the other on Sumatra, Indonesia. Known as “forest people”, these primates are highly intelligent and some have been observed using tools to catch food, passing down this knowledge to future generations. Male orangutans are usually larger than females and have distinct neck flaps and hairless patches on their chest.
It’s not surprising that the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is the tallest land animal in the world, found in Africa. However, not everyone knows that their tongues are very skillful, reaching half a meter long. When they stretch their necks out, they may appear lazy but they could be busy plucking delicious leaves. “What’s amazing about giraffes is that every time I take a picture, they showcase different expressions,” said Mike, the photographer, to BBC Earth.
The Celebes Macaque (Macaca nigra) is a critically endangered species and can now only be found in mountainous forest areas of some Indonesian islands, including Sulawesi (formerly Celebes Island). The males display aggressive behavior by baring their teeth, flaring their nostrils, panting and jumping around. They also show aggression by growling and narrowing their eyes.
Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) are widely found in Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. They feed on grass and have a four-chambered stomach for digestion. This male red deer was captured by Ranveig in Namsskogan, Norway.
Ostriches (Struthio camelus) are often mistaken for any other bird species, except for emus in Australia. Ostriches originated from Africa, while emus are indigenous to Australia. They are the largest bird species in the world today and can run at speeds up to 70 km/h, which is the fastest running speed among all birds currently. They have a long neck, especially long legs, and big eyes, making them look funny and adorable.
Frogs (Anura spp) are a diverse group of amphibians with up to 5000 known species, each with its own unique features. Frogs have eyes that can see up to almost 360 degrees. This image is a stereotypical representation, reminiscent of early 2000s animated films, but it is actually a photograph of a frog captured through a mirror.
The Unspitted Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of llama native to South America for thousands of years. They are famous for spraying saliva and acidic substances from their gut into other alpacas to express their discontent or disapproval, but they do not do so frequently.
Don’t be fooled by the cute “mischievous eyes” appearance, because the cuckoo bird is one of the most effective predator birds on the planet. They are often seen as symbols of wisdom and cunning.