Join the Fun!

#2

In Most Western Cultures, Black Cats Are Considered A Bad Omen. But In Scottish Lore, The Arrival Of A Strange Black Cat Signifies Prosperity

Final score:

508points

POST

Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago

My black cat has brought an abundance of feline love into my life, so yes, I believe the Scottish Lore to be true.

168points

#3

Cheetahs Are So Shy That Zoos Give Them Their Own Emotional “Support Dogs”

Final score:

482points

POST

Amarédesse Gemtree, SLYTHERIN 4 years ago

awww! best friends pawever!

76points

To find out more about this awesome subreddit, we spoke to senior moderators u/IchTanze and u/AGreatWind. Reddit user u/IchTanze, who has been moderating r/awwducational for 5 years now, said that the cool title of the subreddit refers to the “aww” reaction to insects, flowers, baby animals, or a critically endangered species. “‘Aww is in the eye of the beholder’ as we say,” he said.

Meanwhile, “The educational component is what gets added in the comment section, where the user must provide a source for their fact in the title that is either peer-reviewed, from a highly reputable source, or has citations from one of the above to back it up.” Most importantly, the community wants their users to learn something.

#4

Opposums Get A Lot Of Hate, But They Clear Many Unwanted Bugs And Parasites From The Ecosystem And Are Generally Helpful Friends. Please Appreciate Them, Especially This Good Boy

Final score:

477points

POST

Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago

I, for one, appreciate insectivores.

120points

Evil Little Thing 4 years ago

What about trashivores? Because my neighborhood possum really likes eating trash.

13points

Allan Breum 4 years ago

Same here. I usually remove the spiderwebs (and the accompanying spiders) in my home when I notice them, but one caught a wasp that flew in last summer. That one got to stay, it earned its keep.

13points

Quazmodic 4 years ago

High or low on the vegan's hate list are insecivores?

1point

Cori 4 years ago

Opossums foever!!! I love these little guys! I had a 'pet' one named Ted who ate with the feral barn cats. I basically just considered him another cat and he was one of the few I could actually touch. Their ears feel really cool.

12points

Patti 4 years ago

That's awesome Cori

2points

Steve Clemens 4 years ago

My wife found out that they even eat snakes. She has loved them ever since.

11points

Jayson Hammer 4 years ago

They're also nearly immune to rabies

9points

Amarédesse Gemtree, SLYTHERIN 4 years ago

i love them!

8points

Jo Choto 4 years ago

I love opossums. When I lived in the US, we had a family that lived in the woods next to us. They were adorable.

7points

Kahlia Inåtvänd 4 years ago

As an Australian, I have no idea why Americans hate them. They seem chill as hell and incredibly vital to the ecosystem. Lovely little marsupials!

6points

Reality Bites 3 years ago

Americans actually eat possums. Watch how to eat a possum on YouTube

0points

danielw 4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

0points

danielw 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Levi Baker 4 years ago

Possums are adorable!!

5points

Jennifer Foster 4 years ago

I absolutely LOVE them, and it's true that they are definitely misunderstood.

4points

sour berlioz 4 years ago

They are all good lads

4points

My O My 4 years ago

Weee

4points

Marilyn Holt 4 years ago

And the females are amazing AMAZING moms!

2points

Paizleypie 4 years ago

This chonk looks to be in quite the hurry!

2points

Brian Dunphy 4 years ago

Plus they don't carry rabies

1point

Vicki Perizzolo 4 years ago

possums are very cool - eat all kind of nasty things, clean up the environment and can't get rabies...an awesome addition to the neighborhood

1point

Eunice Robertson 4 years ago

Every animal has its own special place in the scheme of things. It's man who disturbs the natural order. I believe in giving respect to every creature. If you respect them and don't bother them, they won't bother you. We lived with at least 5 different snake species on our property for over 30 years. Not one of my family were ever bitten, and the local rodent population was kept under control.

1point

Brandy Grote 4 years ago (edited)

I appreciate them at a distance. Their "natural defense mechanisms" still freak me out. Those teeth, the hiss, and of course, the playing dead. Still, North America's largest marsupial is cool!

1point

Blackheart 4 years ago

Man, that is one plump opossum. All the opossums around here seem to eat cat food.

1point

Kimberly Puchniarz 4 years ago

I love opossum

1point

Sue Clifford 4 years ago

Me too.

0points

Lori Weishorn 4 years ago

My nocturnal buddy eating his crunchies! He helped rid my yard of grubs ! 20201009_2...7411cc.jpg

1point

Oof Me 4 years ago

Screen-Sho...fc-png.jpg

1point

Oof Me 4 years ago

what's wrong with it, just tell me instead of downvoting next time

0points

Cuddles 4 years ago

Of course I love him. Him and his Big Steppy.

1point

Evie Grove 2 years ago

They are adorable.

0points

Reality Bites 3 years ago

Rednecks actually eat these things just watch how to eat a possum on YouTube

0points

Leah Hutchings 4 years ago

And they are rabies-resistant!

0points

okpkpkp 4 years ago

A pregnant possum died under my home. She was huge and probably was born there as we hosted many births there. It was not a fun day.

0points

Ed Lozano 4 years ago

Australian opossums are cuter and more cuddly than American ones.

0points

j b milam 4 years ago

they eat ticks. they don't carry rabies. they are sooo cute

0points

Steven Essex 4 years ago

I've never hated opossums... Don't like them in my trash, though.

0points

Cindy Goode 4 years ago

I sing their praises a lot! So many people don't understand them

0points

Mary Dixon 4 years ago

I do not like opossums at all. They have eaten too many of my chicks. I would continue my best to keep them off of my property even with no chicks. Sorry folks.

0points

Elaine Mattingly 4 years ago

Be informed not afraid.

0points

Mary Tonningsen Premium 4 years ago

And they are immune to rabies!

0points

Ann McNeil 4 years ago

Practicing his "Running Possum" yoga pose ...

0points

Mónica Elisabeth Sacco 4 years ago

Great guys!

0points

elfin 4 years ago

Who on earth would hate a possum? I can understand having problems with racoons, which are incredibly cute but highly destructive.

0points

Arenite 4 years ago

Possums, spiders, bats, all eat flies, mosquitos and other insects. So say thank you the next time you see one!

0points

gracefullikeagazelle 4 years ago

He can come eat my house centipedes anytime.

0points

Susan Miller 4 years ago

They eat ticks- my #1 favorite reason!

0points

Kent Fishburn 4 years ago

And unlike many protestors, they do no harm. I've been leaving little snacks for the baby in my back yard since my camera discovered him. He's strictly a nighttime kind of guy.

0points

Susi Moffitt 4 years ago

I think opossums are adorable!

0points

Arleen Wiley 4 years ago

AND they do NOT get rabies. ever!

0points

Angi Jiles 4 years ago

I have had 18 in my house(brought by dog) in 12 months. Latest one was 2 days ago. We have named them all "Steve".

0points

Kimberley McMillan 4 years ago

I love Opossums. They're adorable.

0points

lucy dale 4 years ago

I appreciate them when they aren't killing our chickens :/

0points

Melody Lanzatella 4 years ago

And they are very sweet. They make great pets!

0points

Potter 4 years ago

They are pretty awesome

0points

Among Us 4 years ago (edited)

He's superopossum

0points

birdy gobyebye 4 years ago

Oh look, and they do yoga!

0points

Shelp 4 years ago

I still have difficulties to wrap my head around the fact that opposums are actual animals. For me, they sound like 18th century Canadian trappers tales

0points

𝓣𝓲𝓬𝓬𝓲 𝓣𝓸𝓫𝔂 4 years ago

He’S a gOoD bOy

-2points

Steve Smith 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

John Doe AKA "READ MY DAMN COMMENT OR REPLY BEFORE YOU DISLIKE!" 4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Oof Me 4 years ago

?

0points

#5

A Sloth's Claws Work The Opposite Way That Human Hand Does. The Default Position Is A Tight Strong Grip, And Sloths Must Exert Effort To Open Them Up. This Is Why Sloths Don't Fall Out Of Trees When They're Asleep

A Sloth's Claws Work The Opposite Way That Human Hand Does. The Default Position Is A Tight Strong Grip, And Sloths Must Exert Effort To Open Them Up. This Is Why Sloths Don't Fall Out Of Trees When They're Asleep

Final score:

443points

POST

Martha Meyer 4 years ago

Same goes for bird's feet.

61points

#6

Cows Have "Eureka" Moments, And Take Pleasure In Their Own Learning Achievements

Final score:

432points

POST

Aski Markup 4 years ago

Cows and chickens are severely underrated.

170points

Another senior user u/AGreatWind commented that they allow content about natural history as well as “animals and plants of all kinds, even if their cuteness may be... subjective.” The moderator said that users provide a source for their fact, which must link to peer-reviewed research or an article that links to peer-reviewed research, which is then verified by a member of the mod team.

“Our mod team is a diverse group of animal lovers, enthusiasts, and scientists from a range of backgrounds spanning ecology, biophysics, and infectious disease.”

u/AGreatWind also said that it’s a lot of work as each post needs to be attended to, but the community enjoys it since they “get to learn new things every day.”

#7

Scientists Know That Rats Like To Have Their Bellies Tickled, So They Used That As Basis For Testing Happiness In Rats. They Found Out That The Ears Of Rats Undergoing Tickling Became Droopier And Pinker - Subtle Signs Of Being Relaxed And Happy

Scientists Know That Rats Like To Have Their Bellies Tickled, So They Used That As Basis For Testing Happiness In Rats. They Found Out That The Ears Of Rats Undergoing Tickling Became Droopier And Pinker - Subtle Signs Of Being Relaxed And Happy

Final score:

417points

POST

Shelp 4 years ago

Rats are some of the most underrated animals.

175points

#8

The Opossum Is North America's Only Marsupial, They Can Eat 5000 Ticks A Year And Are Almost Immune To Rabies! Their Body Temperature Is Too Low For The Virus To Survive!

Final score:

415points

POST

Iris Wolfie (づ ◕‿◕ )づ 4 years ago

THE HAT MAKES ME MELT >w<

114points

#9

Lynx Have Evolved Enormous Paws To Distribute Weight Better In Snow, Acting Like Natural Snowshoes

Final score:

408points

POST

Oskar vanZandt 4 years ago

Gorgeous feline...

95points

Redditor u/AGreatWind said that in his time as a moderator here, “we went from 50,000 subscribers to over 2 million. In that time, we have maintained a consistent approach to verification and civility.” Thus, u/AGreatWind likes to think of /r/Awwducational as "a big little sub."

“We are rather large by subscriber count, but the community still feels small because of the interaction and cooperation we have with them. We try to engage with and listen to our subscribers rather than try to herd them, much as we did when there were only a few thousand.”

In the r/awwducational community, the users make it as much as the mod team. “So often someone in the comments has a remarkable insight about a post's subject animal, be it cooperation amongst lab rats, newly discovered birds of paradise, or the hyoid mechanics of a snow leopard's voice box. It’s fantastic!”

#10

Seagulls Stomping On Grass Is Called, The Rain Dance. This Mimics Rain By Vibration, And Brings Earthworms And Other Bugs To Surface

Final score:

407points

POST

Hans 4 years ago

Someone please photoshop a disco ball in this, make it a video and add 70s disco sound.

156points

#11

Blue Penguins Are The Smallest Type Of Penguin. Adults Reach Only 12-13in Tall. Owing To Their Small Size And Bright Color They Are Often Called Fairy Penguins

Final score:

388points

POST

Amarédesse Gemtree, SLYTHERIN 4 years ago

bippity boppity you are nobodies property. AND KEEP IT THAT WAY!

76points

#12

The Burmese Star Tortoise Is One Of The Few Animals That Have Comeback From Being Called Functionally Extinct

Final score:

387points

POST

Raine Soo 4 years ago

The little ones are so cute!

49points

#13

A University Of Chicago Study Found That Rats Are Just As Capable Of Empathy As Humans

Final score:

384points

POST

Shelp 4 years ago

"its compatriot" haha

42points

#14

150 Kākāriki Karaka Chicks Have Hatched This Season, Potentially Doubling The This Rare Birds Population

Final score:

360points

POST

sour berlioz 4 years ago

yay!!

65points

#15

The Northern Cardinal Is Probably The Most 'Romantic' Bird Species: They Mate For Life, Travel Together, Sing Before Nesting, And During Courtship, Feed Seed Beak-To-Beak

Final score:

356points

POST

Amarédesse Gemtree, SLYTHERIN 4 years ago

aww!

44points

#16

When In Danger, The Malabar Giant Squirrel Often Freezes Or Flattens Itself Against The Tree Trunk, Instead Of Fleeing

Final score:

350points

POST

Shelp 4 years ago

What a gorgeous animal! Never had I heared of it before.

128points

#17

The Pudú Deer Is The Smallest Species Of Deer Standing At 15 Inches Tall On Average

Final score:

329points

POST

Amarédesse Gemtree, SLYTHERIN 4 years ago

must. hug. chonk.

65points

#18

The Milk Of Pinnipeds Consist Of Up To 60% Fat, Allowing The Young To Grow Fairly Quickly. Pups Can Gain Over 2.2 Kg (4.9 Lb) Per Day While Nursing

Final score:

328points

POST

Jo Choto 4 years ago

Give me enough chocolate and I can do that too.

11points

#19

A Newborn Chinese Water Deer Is So Small It Can Almost Be Held In The Palm Of The Hand. When It Matures, Instead Of Growing Antlers, They Grow Long Upper Canine Teeth Gaining Them The Name "Vampire Deer"

A Newborn Chinese Water Deer Is So Small It Can Almost Be Held In The Palm Of The Hand. When It Matures, Instead Of Growing Antlers, They Grow Long Upper Canine Teeth Gaining Them The Name "Vampire Deer"

Final score:

317points

POST

Aski Markup 4 years ago

Oh my goodness! I want to hold the baby!

50points

#20

Cows Have Similar Emotional Range As Dogs. They Display Boldness, Shyness, Fearfulness And Even Playfulness

Final score:

316points

POST

Elise van der Velde 4 years ago

And they can have a life long best cow friend whom they stick with whenever possible!

87points

#21

Van Kittens Are Initially Born With Pale Blue Eyes, Which Change To A Deeper Blue Or Amber As They Grow Older. Occasionally, You’ll Also See A Van With One Amber Eye And One Blue Eye, Or Two Blue Eyes Of Different Hues

Van Kittens Are Initially Born With Pale Blue Eyes, Which Change To A Deeper Blue Or Amber As They Grow Older. Occasionally, You’ll Also See A Van With One Amber Eye And One Blue Eye, Or Two Blue Eyes Of Different Hues

Final score:

289points

POST

Dilara Açar 4 years ago

they also love water

55points

#22

Pigs Have Episodic Memory. It Is Likely That They Can Replay And Feel Past Experiences In Their Heads

Final score:

285points

POST

Jo Choto 4 years ago

Another animal that is intelligent and has feelings, just like a dog, but boy, do we treat them differently.

130points

#23

Flamingo's Pink Coloring Comes From The Shrimp They Eat, And In 1992 In The Miami Zoo They Had To Stick The Flamingos In The Bathroom To Ride Out Hurricane Andrew

Final score:

275points

POST

Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago

Even though it's for their own safety, the poor things look confused.

102points

#24

This Is The Raccoon Dog, The Only Extant Species In The Genus Nyctereutes. It's A Close Relative Of True Foxes And The Only Canid Known To Hibernate During The Winter

Final score:

264points

POST

Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago (edited)

It's also the inspiration for the tanuki, since raccoons aren't native to Japan. Raccoons were later introduced, though.

57points

#25

The Okapi's Closest Realative Is The Giraffe. Okapis Were Descovered In 1901. Unfortunately, They Are Now Endangered

Final score:

257points

POST

NMN 4 years ago

"Discovered in 1901" yeah right. Native ppl from that region would be laughing at this title

86points

#26

Rats Giggle When You Tickle Them. Their Voices Are So High-Pitched You Need Special Equipment To Hear Them, But When You Do, Their Laughs Are Immediately Evident

Final score:

245points

POST

jevais 4 years ago

ALL ANIMALS SHOULDN'T be used for research, medical or for beauty products. There are many ways other ways to test chemicals. It's very cruel and degrading to do so.

98points

#27

Tigers Are Carnivores, But Will Eat Fruit In Order To Ease Digestion

Final score:

243points

POST

littlesaresare 4 years ago

Most carnivores eat plants in some capacity. Just like most herbivores will eat meat in some capacity. There are very few 100% carnivores or herbivores.

81points

#28

Adult Giraffes Only Sleep For A Couple Of Minutes At A Time. Baby Giraffes Will Sleep For Much Longer Periods Of Time With Their Head Resting On Their Rump

Final score:

240points

POST

columbokateUK 4 years ago

I've a crick in my neck just looking at this!

78points

#29

Done Brushing Your Dog? Birds Love Using The Hair To Build Nests. Set Aside One Birdfeeder To Fill With Hair

Final score:

202points

POST

Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago

I do the same with my cat's hair

51points

#30

The Eyes Of The Blunthead Tree Snake Make Up Approximately 26% Of Its Head

Final score:

192points

POST

Alex K 4 years ago

i read "butthead" huh huhuh

64points

#31

Bats Are Not Rodents. They Are Their Own Group Called Chiroptera. They Are More Closely Related To Cats Than Rats

Final score:

52points

POST

littlesaresare 4 years ago

They're the second most speciose group of mammals. Around 1/5 of all mammal specoes are bats. (Biggest is rodents, at 2/5 species).

15points

#32

The World's Oldest Known Wild Bird, Wisdom The Laysan Albatross, Has Laid An Egg At 67! Wisdom Has Outlived Several Mates And Has Raised 30 To 35 Chicks

Final score:

51points

POST

Mini Kitty and Luna 4 years ago

beautiful bird

12points

#33

Native To India, Sloth Bears Are The Only Ursids Known To Carry Their Young For Extended Periods. Cubs Will Ride On Their Mother’s Backs For Six To Seven Months After Leaving The Den

Final score:

51points

POST

Jo Choto 4 years ago

My daughter would ride on my back today if I let her. She's 27.

38points

#34

The Platypus Is Unique Not Only For Laying Eggs. It Also Has Elecrtoreceptors In Its Snout For Locating Prey, Eyes With Double Cones, No Stomach, A Single Duct For Their Urinary, Defecatory, And Reproductive System, 10 Chromosomes, And The Males Have Venomous Barbs On Their Hind Legs

The Platypus Is Unique Not Only For Laying Eggs. It Also Has Elecrtoreceptors In Its Snout For Locating Prey, Eyes With Double Cones, No Stomach, A Single Duct For Their Urinary, Defecatory, And Reproductive System, 10 Chromosomes, And The Males Have Venomous Barbs On Their Hind Legs

Final score:

45points

POST

Amarédesse Gemtree, SLYTHERIN 4 years ago

2020 In a nutshell:

44points

#35

Cows Can Recognise Individual Humans, Even When They Wear The Same Clothes

Final score:

44points

POST

WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago (edited)

Never seen a herd of real cows wearing the same clothes, although I've seen cows wearing the same clothes.

35points

#36

The Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) Is The Most Endangered Canid Species Alive. There Are Less Than 35 Individuals In The Wild After An Attempt To Bring The Species Numbers Up (Peaking At 130 Individuals In 2006). These Wolves Form Close-Knit Packs That Consist Of The Breeding Pair And Their Offspring

The Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) Is The Most Endangered Canid Species Alive. There Are Less Than 35 Individuals In The Wild After An Attempt To Bring The Species Numbers Up (Peaking At 130 Individuals In 2006). These Wolves Form Close-Knit Packs That Consist Of The Breeding Pair And Their Offspring

Final score:

43points

POST

Dana 4 years ago

What happened to them between 2006 and now?! Poor babies

23points

#37

Captain Cook Collected Quolls Along The East Coast In 1770, And Recorded 'Quoll' As Their Local Aboriginal Name. Quolls Were Often Seen By Early Settlers, Who Called Them 'Native Cat', 'Native Polecat' And 'Spotted Marten', Names Based On Familiar European Animals

Captain Cook Collected Quolls Along The East Coast In 1770, And Recorded 'Quoll' As Their Local Aboriginal Name. Quolls Were Often Seen By Early Settlers, Who Called Them 'Native Cat', 'Native Polecat' And 'Spotted Marten', Names Based On Familiar European Animals

Final score:

42points

POST

Shelp 4 years ago

Oh, I first thought the spots were shadow-free zones

6points

#38

Cats Can Nurse Hedgehogs

Final score:

42points

POST

Madison Lam 4 years ago

thats so sweet <3, if it was my cat tho, she'd probably eat them smh

12points

#39

The Red Fox's Adaptability And Resourcefulness Have Earned It A Legendary Reputation For Intelligence And Cunning. Also, A Fox's Tail Is Called A "Brush"

Final score:

41points

POST

Tenley Samson 4 years ago

AHHH I LOVE FOXES

14points