Happy Endangered Species Day! On this day we pause to consider all the species out there that still need our help lest they be wiped from the planet forever. There are sadly quite a few of them: The World Wildlife Foundation lists around 100 species on its site, in varying degrees of critical endangerment. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists over 20,000 animals on its Red List.
Here are just a few of those threatened species -- some more so than others, but all super cute as babies.
Amur Leopard
Lives in: Eastern Russia and Northern China.
Will grow up to: Run at speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour and leap distances of over 19 feet.
Cute factor: Awwww.
Sea Lions
Lives in: Oceans around the world.
Will grow up to: Dodge their three biggest predators -- sharks, killer whales, and people.
Cute factor: We want one.
Black Rhino
Lives in: Grasslands and savannas of Southern Africa
Will grow up to: Use their horns to fight off attackers and protect their young.
Cute factor: OMG
Hawksbill Turtle
Lives in: Tropical oceans around the world
Will grow up to: Eat a lot of sponges and therefore play a vital role in reef habitats.
Cute factor: SO TINY
Sumatran Orangutan
Lives in: The forests of Sumatra and Borneo
Will grow up to: Live nearly its whole life in the trees.
Cute factor: TOO cute
Giant Panda
Lives in: The forests of Southwest China
Will grow up to: Use large wrist bones as "opposable thumbs" to eat up to 80 pounds of bamboo per day.
Cute factor: Can't look away.
Ring-tailed lemur
Lives in: Madagascar
Will grow up to: Communicate via scent glands in their tails.
Cute factor: 100% adorable
Leatherback Turtle
Lives in: Oceans around the world
Will grow up to: Be part the largest turtle species at up to seven feet long and 2,000 pounds.
Cute factor: Squee
Mountain Gorilla
Lives in: The Congo basin
Will grow up to: Live to be around 35 years old.
Cute factor: Cute. Overload.
South China Tiger
Lives in: Southern China, of course
Will grow up to: Eat 30 to 90 pounds of meat in one sitting.
Cute factor: Fiercely cute
Sumatran Elephant
Lives in: The forests of Sumatra and Borneo
Will grow up to: Live in herds of 20 to 30 led by females.
Cute factor: We can't even.
African Wild Dog
Lives in: Southern and Eastern Africa
Will grow up to: Live in packs of up to 40 dogs.
Cute factor: ADORBS