My Facebook page is inundated with pictures of baby colts, puppies, and kittens.
It's that time of year, and I love it!
Why is it that, animal or human, babies are universally cute?
Through the years, we’ve raised registered Quarter horses,
Cocker Spaniels, Munchkin cats and three children. One of the most enjoyable
things about raising animals and children is they are so darn cute. Whether
it’s a kitten, colt, calf or baby, watching them play will bring a smile to
your face.
Which brings to mind the question as to why we often view
babies as more appealing than their adult versions? One hypothesis is that they
are adorably disproportionate.
A puppy has huge paws and ears that are way too big for his
body. The baby monkey, kitten or person’s eyes are large for its face and convey
innocence. A fawn or colt’s legs are much too long, and they learn to run as if
they were on stilts.
Biologist Michael C. LaBarbera of the University of Chicago
says all mammals inherit the ability to recognize their young’s special
features. Some species, including humans, take this recognition to the next
step. Koko the gorilla adopted a kitten and, just a few years ago, a female
gorilla at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo protected a child that had fallen into the
gorilla exhibit. They not only recognized their own young but that of another
species.
An interesting article by Steve Gould, a geology professor
at Harvard University, touches on this in one of his more famous essays, “A
biological homage to Mickey Mouse.”
During the fifty years since Mickey’s creation, his image
has evolved from a rather unsavory rodent into a squat creature with a large
round head, big eyes, and short limbs. Mickey now resembles the baby animals we
love so much.
I know my grandsons are the epitome of
cuteness. And I’m not just saying that because I’m their grandma.
It’s a
scientific fact.
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