20+ Adorable Animals Trying Their Darndest To Be Tough

The animal kingdom is a vicious, brutal, violent place in which "survival of the fittest" is truly the way of life. But if that's true, why are they so cute? Here are some animals trying so, so hard to be intimidating but failing miserably in adorable fashion.

Rawwrrr!

We’re conflicted; this isn’t scary in the slightest but we almost want to act terrified just so as to avoid hurting his feelings.

Put up your dukes!

We don’t want to fight. Can we snuggle instead?

This one’s just ferocious.

We’re not too sure this attempt at dominance had the desired effect.

Listen to me!

Bird, you are too tiny. You cannot hope to frighten us by yelling. Go back to your nest.

Get away from my pile!

We want to take you seriously, we really do, we just can’t. Maybe it’s the leaves?

Look at that powerful jaw.

We know hippos have a powerful bite, young one, but we’re just not sure we buy it from you.

That’s the least intimidating snarl of all time.

You can’t scare us, little rottweiler, you’re too adorable.

Get back here!

We wouldn’t leave, but only because we wouldn’t resist being able to pet this cat.

Just look at those eyes…

You can see all the ferocity contained in those eyes and yet, it just makes us want to grab a cat teaser!

The world’s tiniest police dog.

He could probably round up criminals by just being so cute that they can’t resist coming over to pet him!

Are you roaring or yawning?

We’re not sure what this little guy’s deal is, but we can’t help “d’awww”-ing at it.

That is very expensive equipment, cat.

Only with a face like that can an animal get away with biting an expensive camera!

The least threatening hiss.

We presume based on this posture that the snake is ready to defend his turf, but he just looks too silly.

A snarling shiba.

Don’t bark at us, little guy; we’d rather be your friends!

Even taking down a dinosaur won’t make you scary.

You can’t fool us, that sauropod is even smaller than you!

Splish splash!

This tiger looks like a good time, maybe he’s looking for a splash fight?

Hmph.

This little puffball is too cute.

Look how fierce he is!

We know you’re not actually a lion, your roar isn’t fooling us!

The tiny polar bear bite.

This situation should be immediately recognizable as dangerous, but instead is just adorable.

Hey! You! Come out here!

We know tigers are nothing to mess around with, but doesn’t it just look like we’re being invited to come play?

Who would guess this is a fearsome hunter?

This owl just looks pensive and thoughtful, not like a vicious carnivore.