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Fire up our latest collection of funny parenting tweets and you'll know that moms and dads never get tired. Or, who knows, maybe you even have a little bundle of joy to remind you of that every single day.
Either way, we humans aren't the only ones who have to nurture our young. Far from it. And there's a fresh Twitter thread that beautifully illustrates this universal experience.
It all started when Shawna B shared a picture of a fluffy little family. "One of my favorite very specific image genres is cats that look completely unprepared for the realities of parenthood," she tweeted.
It quickly went viral, receiving over 350K likes and 50K retweets, and many people started responding to it with equally cute photos of animal parents. Continue scrolling to check them out!
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#1
Cosy Cat’s Family
RELATED:
#2
Dad Passed Out After A Long Day With The Kids
The amount of time animals spend with their parents vary tremendously. It's not very common, but there are a few species who stick around mom for a long time—or even their whole lives.
The orangutan, for example, tends to do everything slowly, including leaving home. According to Helen Morrough-Bernard, a primatologist at the U.K.'s University of Exeter, the great apes give birth only once every 7 to 8 years, and the youngster will sometimes nurse until six years old—about the time a new baby comes along.
#3
The Joy Of Motherhood
Marie Wyatt 2 years ago
Bby Kitten: Mummy, I will be your hat for a bit to help you relax. Mummy-Cat: How is that supposed to help m—oh. OH! That’s so much quieter! My headache is gone! Bby Kitten: Love you, Mummy.
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Mary Rose Kent 2 years ago
In general I’m not fond of puns, but this is a prize winner!
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Layla Corman 2 years ago (edited)
Not related to the pic, but today I went into my local PetCo to drop off some blankets, towels and food. They work with a local cat coalition (Hence the donations) and there are usually 6 or 7 kitties up for adoption. I haven't been in since covid started and my heart absolutely broke today. There were at least 30 kitties in there! So many that a whole isle was moved to accommodate an isle worth of cages that were double stacked plus the cat room that was full too. I can't stop thinking about it. It was so sad. (My daughter is so allergic she had to stay in the car, or I would have brought some home!)
Jason Alexander 2 years ago
That's so sad. 😔 My family is getting ready to adopt 2 cats (preferably siblings). It's so great that you were donating though! Every little bit helps!
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Zophra 2 years ago
People have probably thought that about me and I just have two.
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Layla Corman 2 years ago
When you let the kid sleep in your bed and you wake up with a foot in your face!
Marilyn Marble 2 years ago
I wouldn't have protested the vet appointment if I had known this was going to happen!
Nadine Bamberger 2 years ago
When you're trying to will a nice glass of Chardonnay into existence.
Kim Lorton 2 years ago
This one is photo shopped. The kitten on her head, is in the same place, in each picture! And not even a small change in the kittens body to indicate it had moved.
Marilyn Giardini 2 years ago
I thought the Mother cat's owner had put a hat on her head, until I zoomed in on the picture and discovered that it is one of the cute kittens sitting on "Mom's" head!!!! 😄❤🐱🐈
Loretta Hines 2 years ago
People told me having kids was hard. I didn’t believe them. Now I do….. the look of realisation and tiredness
Trisha Howson 2 years ago
Kids are just like this. Poor mother cat looks like she about at her end think she needs a mama nap
Cold Contagious 2 years ago
Mommy cat silently screaming inside her head, make them stop! JFC make them stop!
Betsy Novack 2 years ago
I can't stop laughing at that cat hat. She looks like she's been trying to put toothpaste back in the tube or playing Whack A Mole with these guys. Can't wait till their next meal so she can lie down. She hopes they don't have another food fight. Phew. Motherhood.
#4
Imitation Expert
Madeleine Pettit 2 years ago
that bigger cat's realization that he has a copycat, this is so cuteeeee
Most orangutan moms let the older offspring stay together for up to three years after the infant is born, but some chase the juveniles off after six months.
When the new arrival comes, the older sibling will "go off exploring on their own and may stay out overnight," Morrough-Bernard told National Geographic.
"I like to think of this as like a teenager going off to university and coming back in the holidays. They are not truly independent but are trying out their independence."
#5
Momma's Tail
#6
Baby Sheep Sleeping On Its Mother
#7
Kids
Otter 2 years ago
OMG, I saw a baby rhino once, in the huge savannah habitat at the San Diego Animal Park! The mother was just standing there like a boulder, like your typical adult rhino, while the baby charged around and around her like an Olympic track team on amphetamines. It was still at it when we left.
The African elephant world is another interesting case, as it revolves around women. The oldest, largest female is typically the leader, and females stay with their natal herd their whole lives.
Males leave their family group between age 9 and 18, and since a wild elephant's lifespan is about 56, that could mean up to a third of his life is spent at home.
#9
Mom And Baby. Pure Happiness
#10
The Joys Of Motherhood
Like in elephant society, female lions "are the stable social structure of the pride, and it's the males that come and go, taking over prides," Ed Spevak, curator of invertebrates at the St. Louis Zoo who has also studied African animals, explained.
Male lions always disperse for other groups in this fission-fusion society, and about one-third of females will go off to other prides.
#11
Fatherhood
#12
Wake Up
#13
Mama Cat Is The Best Cat Bed Ever
#14
Mommy's Asleep, Time To Party
While the animal kingdom is full of wonderful moms who care for their offspring, often putting their children above themselves, some take a very different approach.
Most lizards, for instance, "deposit their eggs, cover them, immediately forget they did that and move along," Nassima Bouzid, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington, said.
#15
When You Find Out You're Pregnant
#16
Caught This At My Parents' House. Just Cruizin' With Mama
#17
Pretending To Be His Mother
#18
Just One Of The Guys
Because they have a cloaca, an opening for their reproductive, digestive, and urinary systems, lizards might even think the eggs are "an uncomfortable and weird poop," and never think about it again.
Bouzid said the lack of parental care in most lizards may simply be part of a strategy to have as many offspring as possible in hopes that at least some will survive.
#19
A Stray Cat Decided To Bring Its Kitten Into My House Today. The Kitten Was Extremely Aggressive But The Mom Was Surprisingly Chill
#20
Sleep
#21
Being A Mother, No Matter How Tired You Are, Kids Are Always Important To You
#22
Send Help
But one lizard species goes even further—not only do their young never see the parents, they never see any adults of their species at all.
At least one population of The Labord's chameleon of southwest Madagascar's dry forests "will lay all of their eggs before winter. The eggs will then hatch just before the summer rains," Bouzid said.
The eggs spend eight to nine months developing and in the meantime, the adults will have aged and died.
#23
Back To Front - Dad, Mom, Brother, Brother, And Sister. A Family Snuggle
#24
Daddy’s Life Routine
#25
The Apple Doesn't Fall Too Far From The Tree
Interestingly, many insects actually receive parental care. But not moths and butterflies. They lay their eggs on host plants and leave their offspring to whatever the world throws at them.
"Some lay their eggs near ant nests and the ants take care of the caterpillars. It's like Moses in miniature," Katy Prudic, an entomologist at the University of Arizona, said.
#26
The Look On The Mamma Cat
#27
Hiding From The Bitey Puppies
#28
"Of All The Places He Could Sleep On, It Just Had To Be My Head"
#29
Have Kids They Said
They can be really cunning. Let's also look at the caterpillar of the large blue butterfly.
It secretes a sweet substance attractive to a particular species of red ant and makes itself smell like an ant larvae so the ant takes it back to its nest with its own brood, which the caterpillar then eats.
#30
Six-Week-Old Leopard Cub Jumping On Its Mother In The Okavango Delta In Botswana
#31
Motherhood
#32
A Very Tired Momma And Her Pups
#33
“I’ve Had Puppies And This Is My Life Now?”
Some young have a natural defense to protect themselves from predators via toxic chemicals from their host plant—and others have pitch-perfect camouflage.
The common lytrosis of eastern North America, for example, can perfectly disguise itself as a twig. And if it happens to fall off its background branch, it can use its silk to attach a "zip line" and pull back up.
They might not have someone to give them a hug like the boys and girls in these pictures, but at least they got an evolutionary "inheritance" from their parents to survive!
#34
Oh God, Make It Stop
#35
A Mother And Her Kittens
#36
Mama Maybel With Her 3-Week-Old Kid, Scout, At Goats Of Anarchy Sanctuary. Maybel Had 4 Kids At The Same Time So She's A Busy Mama
#39
I Love You Mommy
#40
Baby Iguana Hanging Out With Its Mom
#42
Proud Momma
#43
The Face Of Parenthood
#44
A Definition Of Parenthood In A Picture
#45
Mama Brown Bear Snuggling With Her Cubs
#46
The Joys Of Motherhood
#47
Big “I Haven’t Slept In Days” Energy
#48
Four Criminals Attack A Helpless Cat
#49
Let’s Go Dad
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Tee Witt 2 years ago
I was wondering why so many babies when there are so many strays
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Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
When my goat had kids she was super protective for like 2 weeks, crying if the kids were out of her sight and then after that she was like "take em away, its fine" cause we would take her and the kids out for walks.
Cecily Holland 2 years ago
Sorry I don’t find most of these “cute”. I’m not the only one obviously that sees irresponsible owners and litters of unwanted puppies and kittens as well as dogs with clearly mutilated ears for fashion and genetic problems galore in the bred for profits like bulldogs and pugs
Winna Libert 2 years ago
They were definitely cute..but that doesn't change the facts, u are correct.
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Sugar Cargill 2 years ago
Yes, baby anythings are so cute and precious. But a lot of animals don’t have a choice and have liter after liter because of not getting spayed or for making someone money. It’s hard to appreciate babies when there are so many who are not wanted and killed.
Scott Fall 2 years ago
It's really great 😍, lol to see it. Giving life,is so beautiful, especially our pets and animals. P.S.yea some people should spa and nutter , especially them selves if there unhappy.Tada. Happy Soul.
Noelia Jaime 2 years ago
I have nothing against strays,have has them myself,but what is wrong with wanting a specific breed that you know what their health problems are likely to be and the temperament you want? If everybody spayed/Neutered every breed,they would end up extinct. Not everybody breeds them in puppy mills. Some families want more of them,like I did. That Adopt don't shop.mentality is noble but very nearsighted.
Wendy Schkade 2 years ago
Get your pets fixed . Wat to many unwanted cats dogs kittens and puppies in shelters .please NEUTER AND SPAY. Your pets will be healthier.
Lisa Z 2 years ago
I'd love to get through one of these kind of articles without people screaming 'spay and neuter'. I agree it's important, but doing it over and over in every article, sometimes multiple times, only makes you look smug and self righteous. Same with ear and tail docking, for pete's sake we get it, lay off.
Opal Troyer 2 years ago
I don,t think they should put new born dogs or cats on the bigger animals heads what if they fall :(
Octopussy 2 years ago
They have much better balance than us. Plus, mommas don't usually let their babies get hurt.
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Trish Greene 2 years ago
I love seeing all the adorable babies...but having volunteered in a shelter...nope, nope, and nope. PLEASE spay and neuter your pets. Even pedigreed animals get dumped.
GIANNA REGINA - STUDENT 2 years ago
i have a friend who has a dog and the mom of the dog was a pure breed shiba-inu and the mom got out of the breeders cage and found a male but the whole litter of puppys had there tails cut off and thrown on the high way in a bag
aroace man, but german 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 2 years ago
surprised you decided to post that s**t of a comment.
Load More Replies... Tee Witt 2 years ago
I was wondering why so many babies when there are so many strays
Load More Replies... Samantha Lomb 2 years ago
When my goat had kids she was super protective for like 2 weeks, crying if the kids were out of her sight and then after that she was like "take em away, its fine" cause we would take her and the kids out for walks.
Cecily Holland 2 years ago
Sorry I don’t find most of these “cute”. I’m not the only one obviously that sees irresponsible owners and litters of unwanted puppies and kittens as well as dogs with clearly mutilated ears for fashion and genetic problems galore in the bred for profits like bulldogs and pugs
Winna Libert 2 years ago
They were definitely cute..but that doesn't change the facts, u are correct.
Load More Replies... Sugar Cargill 2 years ago
Yes, baby anythings are so cute and precious. But a lot of animals don’t have a choice and have liter after liter because of not getting spayed or for making someone money. It’s hard to appreciate babies when there are so many who are not wanted and killed.
Scott Fall 2 years ago
It's really great 😍, lol to see it. Giving life,is so beautiful, especially our pets and animals. P.S.yea some people should spa and nutter , especially them selves if there unhappy.Tada. Happy Soul.
Noelia Jaime 2 years ago
I have nothing against strays,have has them myself,but what is wrong with wanting a specific breed that you know what their health problems are likely to be and the temperament you want? If everybody spayed/Neutered every breed,they would end up extinct. Not everybody breeds them in puppy mills. Some families want more of them,like I did. That Adopt don't shop.mentality is noble but very nearsighted.
Wendy Schkade 2 years ago
Get your pets fixed . Wat to many unwanted cats dogs kittens and puppies in shelters .please NEUTER AND SPAY. Your pets will be healthier.
Lisa Z 2 years ago
I'd love to get through one of these kind of articles without people screaming 'spay and neuter'. I agree it's important, but doing it over and over in every article, sometimes multiple times, only makes you look smug and self righteous. Same with ear and tail docking, for pete's sake we get it, lay off.
Opal Troyer 2 years ago
I don,t think they should put new born dogs or cats on the bigger animals heads what if they fall :(
Octopussy 2 years ago
They have much better balance than us. Plus, mommas don't usually let their babies get hurt.
Load More Replies... Trish Greene 2 years ago
I love seeing all the adorable babies...but having volunteered in a shelter...nope, nope, and nope. PLEASE spay and neuter your pets. Even pedigreed animals get dumped.
GIANNA REGINA - STUDENT 2 years ago
i have a friend who has a dog and the mom of the dog was a pure breed shiba-inu and the mom got out of the breeders cage and found a male but the whole litter of puppys had there tails cut off and thrown on the high way in a bag
aroace man, but german 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 2 years ago
surprised you decided to post that s**t of a comment.
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