Article created by: Mantas Kačerauskas

If the internet was a perfect place, it would surely give us something more valuable than time well wasted. Imagine how awesome it would be if our all-time favorite pet pics and animal videos were to meet the knowledge we all crave. Well, guess what?

This Reddit community titled "Awwducational" is doing precisely that. Created in November 2012, it has become home to some of the most amusing educational facts you’d love to share on your next trivia round with friends. The best part: they all have to do with the most wholesome furry creatures out there, from cute possums and giggling rats, to playful cows and the slow-mo sloths.

So let’s get ready to soak up some did-you-knows and make your biology teacher proud. And scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview with r/awwducational senior moderators who shared some insights about their wholesome Reddit community.

#1

The Opossum Is North America's Only Marsupial, They Can Eat 5000 Ticks A Year And Are Almost Immune To Rabies! Their Body Temperature Is Too Low For The Virus To Survive!

Cute opossum wearing a red hat among autumn leaves, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

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    #2

    150 Kākāriki Karaka Chicks Have Hatched This Season, Potentially Doubling The This Rare Birds Population

    A person holding a young, green-feathered bird in a forest showing lesser-known facts about animals.

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    #3

    Trained African Giant Pouched Rats Have Found Thousands Of Unexploded Landmines And Bombs. Researchers Have Also Trained These Rats To Detect Tuberculosis. And Most Recently They Are Training Them To Sniff Out Poached Wildlife Trophies Being Exported Out Of African Ports

    Rat wearing a harness eating a banana from a person’s hand in an outdoor natural setting with grass and dirt ground.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    a good example of a partnership for good with non-human animals

    #4

    Opposums Get A Lot Of Hate, But They Clear Many Unwanted Bugs And Parasites From The Ecosystem And Are Generally Helpful Friends. Please Appreciate Them, Especially This Good Boy

    Opossum crossing a wet path with green grass nearby showcasing a lesser-known fact about animals in nature.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think they are adorable! Every animal is important in some way.

    #5

    Lynx Have Evolved Enormous Paws To Distribute Weight Better In Snow, Acting Like Natural Snowshoes

    Young lynx lying on snow with paws stretched forward showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in a cute pose.

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    #6

    When In Danger, The Malabar Giant Squirrel Often Freezes Or Flattens Itself Against The Tree Trunk, Instead Of Fleeing

    Colorful squirrel clinging to tree trunk showcasing unique animal features in a natural forest setting for animal facts.

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    #7

    Rats Giggle When You Tickle Them. Their Voices Are So High-Pitched You Need Special Equipment To Hear Them, But When You Do, Their Laughs Are Immediately Evident

    White lab mouse held by gloved hand in research setting illustrating lesser-known facts about animals that evoke aww.

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    #8

    Bats Are Not Rodents. They Are Their Own Group Called Chiroptera. They Are More Closely Related To Cats Than Rats

    Close-up of a small animal wrapped in a yellow blanket, showcasing a lesser-known cute animal fact that inspires awe.

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    #9

    Blue Penguins Are The Smallest Type Of Penguin. Adults Reach Only 12-13in Tall. Owing To Their Small Size And Bright Color They Are Often Called Fairy Penguins

    Close-up of a blue and white bird on rocks showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that inspire awe.

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    #10

    A University Of Chicago Study Found That Rats Are Just As Capable Of Empathy As Humans

    Two rats demonstrate empathy as one frees another from a restrictive cage in a lesser-known animal fact experiment.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    too bad we have to cage and experiment on animals to learn what should be self-evident: they have feelings, intelligence, and relationships.

    #11

    The Pudú Deer Is The Smallest Species Of Deer Standing At 15 Inches Tall On Average

    Two adorable deer nuzzling, illustrating lesser-known facts about animals that make people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    #12

    Cows Have Similar Emotional Range As Dogs. They Display Boldness, Shyness, Fearfulness And Even Playfulness

    A dog and a cow sharing a sweet moment in a grassy field, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that make people say aww.

    chicompj Report

    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we humans should stop using them and murdering them for...food...especially when we would be better off eating a plant-based diet

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    #13

    Van Kittens Are Initially Born With Pale Blue Eyes, Which Change To A Deeper Blue Or Amber As They Grow Older. Occasionally, You’ll Also See A Van With One Amber Eye And One Blue Eye, Or Two Blue Eyes Of Different Hues

    White cat with heterochromatic blue and yellow eyes walking through snow, showcasing lesser-known animal facts that make people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    #14

    This Is The Raccoon Dog, The Only Extant Species In The Genus Nyctereutes. It's A Close Relative Of True Foxes And The Only Canid Known To Hibernate During The Winter

    Fluffy raccoon dog standing on green grass, showcasing one of the lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sadly, farmed and m******d for their fur in some countries (Russia, China, elsewhere)

    #15

    Tigers Are Carnivores, But Will Eat Fruit In Order To Ease Digestion

    Tiger biting a watermelon, showcasing a lesser-known fact about animals in a natural grassy environment.

    1 month ago Report

    #16

    The World's Oldest Known Wild Bird, Wisdom The Laysan Albatross, Has Laid An Egg At 67! Wisdom Has Outlived Several Mates And Has Raised 30 To 35 Chicks

    Albatross bird nesting with chick on sandy ground, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    #17

    Native To India, Sloth Bears Are The Only Ursids Known To Carry Their Young For Extended Periods. Cubs Will Ride On Their Mother’s Backs For Six To Seven Months After Leaving The Den

    Mother bear with cub on its back in a natural setting, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    #18

    The Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) Is The Most Endangered Canid Species Alive. There Are Less Than 35 Individuals In The Wild After An Attempt To Bring The Species Numbers Up (Peaking At 130 Individuals In 2006). These Wolves Form Close-Knit Packs That Consist Of The Breeding Pair And Their Offspring

    Close-up of a wolf in a forest showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that inspire awe and curiosity.

    Cachuchotas Report

    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yup, tragically, we're on track to destroy yet another group of living, breathing, sensate beings...it has got to stop

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    #19

    Captain Cook Collected Quolls Along The East Coast In 1770, And Recorded 'Quoll' As Their Local Aboriginal Name. Quolls Were Often Seen By Early Settlers, Who Called Them 'Native Cat', 'Native Polecat' And 'Spotted Marten', Names Based On Familiar European Animals

    A tiny spotted animal curled up and sleeping peacefully in a person’s hand, showcasing adorable animal facts.

    reddit.com Report

    #20

    The Red Fox's Adaptability And Resourcefulness Have Earned It A Legendary Reputation For Intelligence And Cunning. Also, A Fox's Tail Is Called A "Brush"

    Fox lying on its back among leaves and branches, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that inspire awe.

    petdog347 Report

    #21

    In Most Western Cultures, Black Cats Are Considered A Bad Omen. But In Scottish Lore, The Arrival Of A Strange Black Cat Signifies Prosperity

    Black fluffy kitten with big eyes on indoor carpet, showcasing one of the lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Cows Have "Eureka" Moments, And Take Pleasure In Their Own Learning Achievements

    Black cows grazing in a green field, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    Pigoonlet Report

    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we humans should stop using them and murdering them for...food...especially when we would be better off eating a plant-based diet

    View more comments
    #23

    Scientists Know That Rats Like To Have Their Bellies Tickled, So They Used That As Basis For Testing Happiness In Rats. They Found Out That The Ears Of Rats Undergoing Tickling Became Droopier And Pinker - Subtle Signs Of Being Relaxed And Happy

    A person gently holding a relaxed gray rat, showcasing adorable lesser-known animal facts that make people say aww.

    petdog347 Report

    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    too bad we have to cage and experiment on animals to learn what should be self-evident: they have feelings, intelligence, and relationships.

    #24

    Seagulls Stomping On Grass Is Called, The Rain Dance. This Mimics Rain By Vibration, And Brings Earthworms And Other Bugs To Surface

    Two seagulls walking on grass near a house, illustrating lesser-known facts about animals that evoke an aww reaction.

    1 year ago Report

    #25

    The Burmese Star Tortoise Is One Of The Few Animals That Have Comeback From Being Called Functionally Extinct

    A mother tortoise with her six adorable baby tortoises resting on sandy ground, showcasing lesser-known animal facts.

    reddit.com Report

    #26

    The Northern Cardinal Is Probably The Most 'Romantic' Bird Species: They Mate For Life, Travel Together, Sing Before Nesting, And During Courtship, Feed Seed Beak-To-Beak

    Two cardinals sharing food at a bird feeder, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    love and loyalty are not exclusively human traits

    #27

    The Milk Of Pinnipeds Consist Of Up To 60% Fat, Allowing The Young To Grow Fairly Quickly. Pups Can Gain Over 2.2 Kg (4.9 Lb) Per Day While Nursing

    Fluffy seal pup with big eyes sitting near grass, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    #28

    A Newborn Chinese Water Deer Is So Small It Can Almost Be Held In The Palm Of The Hand. When It Matures, Instead Of Growing Antlers, They Grow Long Upper Canine Teeth Gaining Them The Name "Vampire Deer"

    A person gently holding a sleeping baby deer, showcasing adorable lesser-known facts about animals.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why is this tiny baby being held by a human?

    #29

    Pigs Have Episodic Memory. It Is Likely That They Can Replay And Feel Past Experiences In Their Heads

    Newborn piglet being gently held, showcasing a lesser-known animal fact that makes people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and they experience fear, terror, and pain...so why are we still raising them and k*****g them for food?

    #30

    The Okapi's Closest Realative Is The Giraffe. Okapis Were Descovered In 1901. Unfortunately, They Are Now Endangered

    Young okapi calf standing and resting indoors, showcasing unique animal patterns and lesser-known facts about animals.

    reddit.com Report

    #31

    Adult Giraffes Only Sleep For A Couple Of Minutes At A Time. Baby Giraffes Will Sleep For Much Longer Periods Of Time With Their Head Resting On Their Rump

    Young giraffe resting with its long neck curled around its body, showcasing unique animal behavior and cuteness.

    reddit.com Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #32

    Done Brushing Your Dog? Birds Love Using The Hair To Build Nests. Set Aside One Birdfeeder To Fill With Hair

    Golden retriever being gently brushed, showcasing one of the lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    5 months ago Report

    Mary Morris
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ditto cat hair. BUT - if your animal has anti-tick/flea meds, the hair can be toxic. I just learned this!

    #33

    The Eyes Of The Blunthead Tree Snake Make Up Approximately 26% Of Its Head

    Close-up of a small snake showcasing unique patterns and colors, illustrating lesser-known facts about animals.

    reddit.com Report

    #34

    Cats Can Nurse Hedgehogs

    Black cat lying comfortably in a box surrounded by several baby hedgehogs, a charming animal moment that made people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    #35

    Male Ostriches Will Mate With 3 To 5 Hens That Will Lay Their Eggs In A Single Nest That The Male Digs Out. Every Night The Male Incubates The Eggs And During The Day The Dominate Female Will Incubate The Eggs, Which Take Around 40 Days To Hatch. The Male And The Females Will Help Raise The Chicks

    Ostrich standing over a large clutch of eggs in dry grassland, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals.

    reddit.com Report

    #36

    A Sloth's Claws Work The Opposite Way That Human Hand Does. The Default Position Is A Tight Strong Grip, And Sloths Must Exert Effort To Open Them Up. This Is Why Sloths Don't Fall Out Of Trees When They're Asleep

    Cute baby sloth hanging upside down on a playground bar showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    reddit.com Report

    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why isn't this sloth in its wild natural habitat

    #37

    Flamingo's Pink Coloring Comes From The Shrimp They Eat, And In 1992 In The Miami Zoo They Had To Stick The Flamingos In The Bathroom To Ride Out Hurricane Andrew

    A large group of flamingos standing inside a bathroom, showcasing a lesser-known animal fact that surprises people.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    thumbs down to zoos...imagine if we put all that money and effort into conserving wild habitats for animals?

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    #38

    Cows Can Recognise Individual Humans, Even When They Wear The Same Clothes

    Man gently petting a happy cow in a grassy field, showcasing a lesser-known fact about animals that inspire awe.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    are we convinced yet? stop eating them and their milk!

    #39

    Cheetahs Are So Shy That Zoos Give Them Their Own Emotional “Support Dogs”

    Cute cheetah cub and yellow Labrador puppy playing together on green grass, showing adorable animal moments.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    thumbs down to zoos...imagine if we put all that money and effort into conserving wild habitats for animals?

    #40

    The Platypus Is Unique Not Only For Laying Eggs. It Also Has Elecrtoreceptors In Its Snout For Locating Prey, Eyes With Double Cones, No Stomach, A Single Duct For Their Urinary, Defecatory, And Reproductive System, 10 Chromosomes, And The Males Have Venomous Barbs On Their Hind Legs

    Man holding a small black duckling gently outdoors, illustrating lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

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    Suzanne B
    Community Member
    4 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    put the platypus down, young man...she is not a toy