11 of the Cutest Animals — And Why Humans Love Them

Cats are so cute that humans have kept them as pets for thousands of years. When it comes to wild cats, many start out as adorable kittens, then grow into intimidatingly large adults. Some wild cats, however, stay small for life, keeping their cuteness factor.

Some of the smallest wild cats are:

Rusty-spotted Cat

Prionailurus rubiginosus is even smaller than a domestic cat, with a body just 13 to 19 inches (35 to 48 centimeters) long, a height of 8 inches (20 centimeters) and a weight of 2.2 to 3.5 pounds (1 to 1.6 kilograms).

It may be cute, but the rusty-spotted cat is a formidable hunter. The species feeds primarily on small rodents, but this tiny creature has been known to attack gazelles.

Sand Cat

Felis margarita is adorable not just because of its tiny stature (18 to 22.5 inches or 45 to 57 centimeters long and 3 to 7.5 pounds or 1 to 3.5 kilograms in weight), but its wide face and huge eyes, which give the sand cat that “baby face” look. And let’s not forget its velvety fur!

Sand cats live in some of the world’s driest climates: the Sahara Desert, Arabian Peninsula and parts of Central Asia.

Kodkod

Leopardus guigna, also known as the guiña, is the smallest cat in all of Central and South America. It lives in Argentina and Chile and looks like a tiny leopard. These little animals are just 14.5 to 22 inches (37 to 56 centimeters) long and weigh 3.3 to 6.6 pounds (1.5 to 3 kilograms).

Black-footed Cat

Felis nigripes of Southern Africa is the continent’s smallest feline, standing 8 inches (20 centimeters) tall, 14 to 20 inches (36 to 52 centimeters) long and weighing 2.2 to 5.5 pounds (1 to 2.5 kilograms). According to local legend, black-footed cats can take down a giraffe.