20+ Beautiful Animals We Can’t Stop Staring At

The natural beauty of the animals around us has always been inspirational. One of the first people to discover the beauty of animals and try to depict it was the German artist Albrecht Dürer. Up to now, animal photography remains one of the most popular genres — and it’s not for nothing!

We have prepared a selection of pictures of the most beautiful and photogenic animals from all over the globe, and we just can’t take our eyes off them.

1. Mandarin fish

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Dusk dives with the spectacularly colorful mandarinfish #mandarinfish #macrophotography #uwphotography #underwaterphotography #scuba #scubadiving #sony #nauticam #underwatermacro #psychedelic #fish #philippines #dumaguete #dauin #nofilter #photooftheday #photography #travel #instagood #instadaily #atlantisdumaguete

A post shared by Shane Hu (@mxyptplx) on Aug 31, 2018 at 11:22pm PDT

This truly beautiful psychedelic creature can be found in the Pacific Ocean near Australia, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

2. White tiger

The unique appearance of the white Bengal tiger is related to its lack of pheomelanin pigment, which makes the fur of regular Bengal tigers orange. It is said that the white tigers grow faster and heavier than the orange ones.

3. Leafy sea dragon

This plant-looking creature is called a leafy sea dragon. By the way, it is the marine emblem of the state of South Australia, where it can usually be found.

 

4. Glasswinged butterfly

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Glasswinged butterfly (Greta oto) Chester zoo. #butterfly #glasswingedbutterfly #gretaoto #greta #insect #plantlife #leaf #nature #wildlife #butterflyconservation #macro_perfection #macro_holic #macro_brillance #macro #closeup #nature_perfection #nature_brilliance #onceupon_a_macro #onceupon_the_earth #nature_shooters #macro_vision #macro_delight #shallowdepthoffield #chesterzoo

A post shared by Ben Sheldon (@shel1983) on Aug 28, 2018 at 11:14pm PDT

This butterfly got its name for having beautiful translucent wings; its Spanish name is “espejitos” which is translated as “little mirrors.”

5. Arctic fox

This small fox lives in the Arctic regions; its thick, warm, gorgeous fur is also used as camouflage.

6. Scarlet macaw

This striking bright-colored bird is known as the national bird of Honduras.

7. Fire salamander

Fire salamanders are one of the best-known salamander species in Europe characterized by their unusual and bright coloration.

8. Sand cat

This small predator is the only cat in the world living in true deserts.

9. Loch’s Chromodoris

This unearthly colorful creature is a sea slug living in the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region.

10. Lilac-breasted roller

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#sony #a7riii #photooftheday #bokeh #bokehlicious #fullframe #master_shots #sonyimages #sonyalphagallery #photographer #primelens #stunning_shots #canon #canonphotography #birdsofinstagram #chesterzoo #lilacbreastedroller

A post shared by Hux (@hux_uk) on Oct 5, 2018 at 11:40pm PDT

The coloration of this little birdy from Africa is unbeatable.

11. Amur leopard

Their unique spotted fur makes the Amur Leopard one of the most beautiful and unfortunately, most hunted wild cats in the world.

12. Quokka

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The cutest photo I’ve taken ever. If there’s a perfect picture of the mentality of a #quokka #portraitphotography #cute #perthlife #perthisok #soperth #westisbest #nikon #nikonphotogrpahy

A post shared by Gavin Crossley (@gavcrossley) on Oct 7, 2018 at 3:48pm PDT

This Australian animal is often claimed to be the most photogenic on the planet, as it always looks like it’s happy and smiling.

13. Flamingo

Even the name of this bird reflects its unique appearance, as it comes from the Portuguese word”flamengo” which means “flame-colored”.

14. California red-sided garter snake

This snake can be found throughout California, and the combination of its skin color varies in different locations – but it always remains extremely bright.

15. Okapi

The okapi is sometimes referred to as the “forest giraffe” or “zebra giraffe”. While it’s the closest relative to the giraffe, this unique creature bears stripes just like a zebra.

16. Lynx

This wild cat is best known for its bright eyes and characteristic tufts on the tips of its ears.

17. Snowy owl

The look of this fluffy bird is truly mesmerizing.

18. Dolphin

This aquatic mammal is not only beautiful but also very intelligent.

19. Mandrill

20. Resplendent quetzal

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•[ENG]• -A beautiful male Resplendent Quetzal at the highlands of Costa Rica ?• •[ESP]• – Una hermoso macho de Quetzal Resplandeciente en las tierras altas de Costa Rica. ?• Photo: @mauro_roman_nature_photo_

A post shared by >>© Mauro Roman Nature Photo<< (@mauro_roman_nature_photo_) on Sep 19, 2018 at 12:58pm PDT

This colorful beauty can only be found in South America.

21. Secretary bird

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For Mony @zoo_planckendael #nature #exclusive_wildlife #naturephotography #500px #wildlife #birds #naturelovers #birdphotography #explore_wildlife #allkindsofnature #gn_photos #ig_allnature #ww_nature_knowledge #eye_for_earth #efe_nature_or_nothing #eye_spy_birds #ptk_birds_animals #udog_feathers #your_best_birds #animal_sultans #ig_great_animals #birds_captures #eyemmagazine #animallibrary #birding #birdwatching #kings_birds #birdwatching_photography #ViewBug

A post shared by Rudi Luyten (@luytenrudi) on Jul 7, 2018 at 4:51am PDT

Just look at those eyelashes!

22. Tigradient

23. This is the only brown panda in the whole world.

24. Albinism is beautiful.

25. This pup has a selfie on its ear.

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Hey my names Lucy and I was born with a selfie on my left ear! #thedodo #puppy #puppylove #puppydog #selfie #selfiesunday #dogsoflove #apbt_rater #showpetslove #dog_feautures #cutedogsgram #worldofcutepets #puppiesxdogs #puppiesxdogsprofilepic #bestwoof #dog_features #pitbulls_power_feature #puppiesxdogs

A post shared by ?Lucy? (@selfie_pup) on Apr 23, 2017 at 11:49am PDT

26. The lack of color can be as intriguing as a whole rainbow.

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GRETA ORO ou simplesmente BORBOLETA TRANSPARENTE, é uma rara espécie de borboleta encontrada principalmente na américa central, que tem asas transparentes pois os tecidos entre as veias não possuem as escamas coloridas presentes em outras borboletas , MUITO OBRIGADA pela visita me sinto honrada em fotografar essa beldade. ? ………………………………………………………………………….. GRETA ORO or simply TRANSPARENT BUTTERFLY, is a rare butterfly species found mainly in central america, which has transparent wings because the tissues between the veins do not have the colored scales present in other butterflies, THANK YOU for the visit I feel honored to photograph this beauty. ? . . . #gretaoro #borboletatransparente #butterfly #butterflies #macrofotografia #macrophotography #brmacro #boanoitebrasil #apreciadores_natureza #natureza #nature #photography #fotografia #borboleta #insect #gratidao #maenatureza #photooftheday #total_butterflies

A post shared by BETA RABBIT (@beta_rabbit) on Sep 18, 2018 at 5:54pm PDT

27. 2 parakeets in one

28. Her fur has double the love.

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Lucy's fur has 2 hearts ❤❤ #nigeriandwarfgoat #goodlifefarm #furpatterns #hearts #love #goats #hay #happygoat #totesmygoats #myprettygirl #twoyearsold #vermontfarm #vermont #farmlife

A post shared by Good Life Farm (@goodlifefarmvt) on Jun 23, 2017 at 9:25am PDT

29. Stand out in the crowd.

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#deer #deers #herd #animals #nature #earth #park #world #wanderlust #trip #travel #explore #blackdeer #black

A post shared by itstheWanderlust (@itsthe.wanderlust) on Aug 10, 2018 at 8:52am PDT

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#wildparkgüstrow #damwild #damhirsch #blackdeer #deer #hirsch

A post shared by Anita Bugge (@anitabugge_bln) on Jul 29, 2018 at 12:11pm PDT

 

30. This is a crocodile. And it’s white!

31. 50 shades of turtle

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#melanistic , #pastel , #albino , #lime , #lubino , #hybino , #blizzard , #caramel and #snow #redearedslider #slider #turtle #turtles #mutation #terrapin #redearedterrapin #trachemysscriptaelegans #trachemys #turtlesofinstagram #reptiles

A post shared by ydalew (@ydalew) on Aug 11, 2018 at 2:57am PDT

32. “Instead of a black skunk with a white stripes; this little guy was white with small black stripes on either side of his body.”

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Talk about a RARE SIGHT….this skunk was born with the opposite markings!! Instead of a black skunk with a white stripes; this little guy was white with small black stripes on either side of his body!! I hated seeing him in the road like this but couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture and share such a rare occurrence in nature! Btw, this was one more of the many things I captured from last Sunday's bike ride. #rareskunk #naturesglory #unusualmarkings #oppositeandunusual #freakofnature #rare #skunk #animals #unusualanimals

A post shared by Tina Tucker (@openheartedme) on Sep 22, 2017 at 1:42pm PDT

33. Who said that squirrels can only be brown?

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#nofilter#shouldijump? #tricolorsquirrel#animal#nature#God

A post shared by Nati (@naran84) on Jun 4, 2013 at 7:43pm PDT

34. This guy might have a hard time hiding in the grass.

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Розовый кузнечик ?,необычный,правда??(и палец сына? #кузнечик#розовыйкузнечик#необычныйокрас#флора#фауна#naturephotography #naturrussia #nature #grassshopper #pinkgrasshopper #village #dacha #насекомые#villagemoscow

A post shared by Фото мои #villagemoscow (@nata__moscow) on Aug 21, 2018 at 11:28pm PDT

35. A brother from another mother

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Meet Iris, our new pet lobster (blue girl on the right).. She arrived today together with our 100kg shipment of European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) from Scotland! #nakedfinn #liveshipment #europeanlobster #bluelobster #colormutation #petlobster #sweet #scotland #gillmanbarracks

A post shared by The Naked Finn (@nakedfinn) on Jun 16, 2016 at 12:35am PDT

36. Snow White

37. Horses with Dalmatian spots

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Spotifyand Mambo #Appaloosa #leopardhorse #hanoverian #friesian #horse #horses #horseofinstagram

A post shared by Cynthia Saldana (@withpizzaz) on Sep 26, 2018 at 9:36pm PDT

38. Bat-dog

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No costume necessary, she's Batgirl everyday! Her "furmark" is on point ????? #happyfall #bamagirl #batgirl #furmark #batgirl #sassypants #puppiesofig #pumpkins #myfavoritetimeofyear #mums

A post shared by Tiana Wiseman (@_tianalynne_) on Oct 17, 2016 at 9:45am PDT

39. This snake is smiling at us!

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?

A post shared by Trademark Exotics™ (@_viper_) on Oct 16, 2018 at 7:19pm PDT

40. Doggy follows all the trends.

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Emmanuel Chien ! Pour l'avoir caressé, pas de peinture ni de teinture, c'est bien ses poils naturels. La nature est joueuse ! #funnydog #philippines #crazycolor #naturejokes

A post shared by Mathilde Uzenat (@travelandride) on Jan 6, 2017 at 4:26pm PST

41. Stunning greenery

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African Green Pigeon Copyright (c) Anthony Press A new species for this collection, the beautiful African Green Pigeon. Usually seen feeding in the canopy of Sycamore Figs and other large fruiting trees where they can be hard to spot, this one was perched out in the open on a Leadwood tree like a bird of prey. They are well camouflaged and sometimes remain motionless blending well into the green leaves. First time I have seen one perched out in the open like this. Perhaps sunning itself after some days of rain. They are year-round residents but move around within the Kruger Park to wherever wild fruits can be found. Nest is a loose platform of twigs and leaves in the fork of a leafy tree, sometimes on a mistletoe clump on a branch. Both parents build the nest and feed the chicks. #greenpigeon #krugernationalpark #krugerthroughmyeyes #knpsquarecollection #ig_discover_birdslife #pocket_birds #bns_birds #igscwildlife #birdfreaks #thetweetsuites #bb_of_ig #your_best_birds #bestbirdshots #feather_perfection #eye_spy_birds #bird_brilliance #allmightybirds #nuts_about_birds #kings_birds #udog_feathers #nature_perfection #instanaturefriends #nature_sultans #animal_sultans #animalelite #global4nature #african_portraits #birdsofsouthafrica

A post shared by Anthony Press (@anthony.press) on May 16, 2017 at 10:17am PDT

42. All the colors of the rainbow

43. There is no mirror, these are 2 different cats.

44. How can this fish be so cute?

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#blueparrotfish #bermuda

A post shared by Dai J James (@lobsterboy_bda) on Aug 28, 2018 at 1:55pm PDT

45. Perfect pop of color!

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My two Bastimentos females, what a difference. #oophagapumiliobastimentos #oophagapumilio #oophagabastimentos #oophaga #pumiliobastimentos #pumilio #bastimentos #poisondartfrog #dartfrog #pilgiftsgroda #pilgift #svenskadendrobatidsällskapet

A post shared by Henrik Jagadics (@ambanja) on Oct 29, 2018 at 12:46pm PDT

46. The black jaguar — a child of the night