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If you take a closer look at some of Disney's animal characters, like Bambi, Simba, or the adorable 101 Dalmatians, you’ll notice they share one prominent feature.

It’s the eyes bigger than the world itself. No wonder that Snapchat filter that gave people exaggerated facial features with prominent eyes was such a hit on social media not so long ago.

This Reddit community named “Disney Eyes” is dedicated to pets that look like real-life Disney characters with impawsibly cute features. Below we wrapped up some of the most wholesome pictures shared on the community, so scroll down and upvote your favorite ones!

Bored Panda reached out to Lisa Yaszek, a Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech where she researches and teaches science fiction as a global language crossing centuries, continents, and cultures, who shared some very interesting insights into why Disney characters are universally cute, and what it is about their eyes that captivates us.

“Disney animal characters are universally appealing because they are anthropomorphic, familiar, and depicted as naturally helpful,” Lisa said.

She explained further: “Humans have told stories about animals and other nonhuman beings with human characteristics since the beginning of recorded civilization, often to promote some kind of sympathetic identification with something that otherwise seems truly alien and unknowable, so it's no surprise Disney artists would do this as well.”

#3

He Is Not A Cat Or Dog, But I Think He Belongs Here, Too! (Not Mine Btw, But So Cute!)

He Is Not A Cat Or Dog, But I Think He Belongs Here, Too! (Not Mine Btw, But So Cute!)

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Moreover, according to Lisa, it makes sense that Disney animals often have big eyes and chubby cheeks, but smaller ears and button noses. “That way they remind us of babies and make us want to care for them!”

“Of course, Disney artists also hedge their bets by generally filling their worlds with animals we already know from our daily experiences—household animals such as chipmunks, mice, and puppies; garden animals including rabbits and lizards, even some common forest and zoo animals, such as deer and bears,” Lisa explained.

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However, while many Disney animals look like babies, they are not nearly as helpless! “Instead, their attractive features are outward expressions of their natural morality and their natural willingness to assist the Disney protagonist on their journey.”

We also asked why characters with prominent eyes look so captivating, and Lisa said there are two reasons. “First, of course, there is the biological response: most mammals seem to be hardwired to respond to small creatures with big eyes because they look like babies and prompt our innate caretaking responses.”

“Second, and perhaps more poetically, people across cultures tend to think of eyes as the windows to the soul! Creatures with large eyes seem to invite us to peer into souls that will be equally beautiful; maybe we even hope that their eyes will reflect back the beauty of our own souls as well,” the professor concluded.

#7

She Really Knows How To Pose For A Photo

She Really Knows How To Pose For A Photo

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#9

Everyone Says He Looks Like A Disney Character, So Here’s Snoot!

Everyone Says He Looks Like A Disney Character, So Here’s Snoot!

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For most people, the cutest thing you have ever seen involves a baby, a puppy, or any other adorable animal. The chances are they have big captivating eyes that make them forever ingrained in your memory. This phenomenon has been observed for years, and scientists research this powerful attractive force that makes things appear intensely cute.

Morten L. Kringelbach, an associate professor and senior research fellow in neuroscience, together with colleagues Marc Bornstein from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Catherine Alexander from the University of Oxford, assert that cuteness is a purely visual thing.

#11

He Is Only Here To Spread Joy. This Is Yohji, My Special Boi

He Is Only Here To Spread Joy. This Is Yohji, My Special Boi

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#12

Oh Lawd

Oh Lawd

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Angela B
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here, take my wallet, my keys, just.... just whatever you want! Take it!

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“It works by involving all the senses and strongly attracting our attention by sparking rapid brain activity. In fact, cuteness may be one of the strongest forces that shape our behavior – potentially making us more compassionate,” the authors explain in their article for The Conversation.

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Scientists believe that cuteness facilitates well-being and complex social relationships by activating brain networks associated with emotion and pleasure and triggering empathy and compassion.

“When we encounter something cute, it ignites fast brain activity in regions such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which are linked to emotion and pleasure. It also attracts our attention in a biased way: babies have privileged access to entering conscious awareness in our brains.”

#14

It Was A Rough Start For Nimbus, But She Grew Into Her Disney Eyes

It Was A Rough Start For Nimbus, But She Grew Into Her Disney Eyes

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#15

Ohh... ...oh My! Aren’t You The Most Adorable Thing That’s Just About To Eviscerate That Tree?!?

Ohh... ...oh My! Aren’t You The Most Adorable Thing That’s Just About To Eviscerate That Tree?!?

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Alexia
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so shiny, I must murder it. But first... here's a blep

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Meanwhile, Eloise Stark from the psychiatry department at the University of Oxford argues that from the research scientists have so far, cuteness response is inclusive of everyone, regardless of whether you are a parent or not. The same goes for cute animals.

"This is why people are able to capitalize on cuteness in marketing, selling 'cute' toys like Hello Kitty. The cuteness activates the same brain mechanisms, regardless of whether the object is a baby, a puppy, or an object."

"We know that [when we see a young animal or child] there is a really fast burst of activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, an area of the brain involved in reward," Eloise says. "We think this early activity biases the brain towards processing the cute stimulus – for example, by making sure we give it our full attention. The effect of this may be to approach the infant or cute animal, wanting to pick it up or look after it."

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#16

She Has The Disney Eyes Down Pat

She Has The Disney Eyes Down Pat

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We also reached out to the founder and moderator of the Disney Eyes community on Reddit, who told us that the idea for the subreddit came after someone simply commented on a post with “Disney Eyes.” “I then used that post’s image as r/DisneyEyes’ first post, crediting the OP. Here’s that first post,” the founder recounted.

The founder explained that the community is “dedicated to eyes that would fit well into Disney's (or other similar animators) visual styling”. “These animation studios tend to exaggerate the size of their characters’ eyes to invoke and convey more emotion. Some cute animals out there naturally have eyes that would fit into a Disney movie.”

#19

Little Boba Looks Like She Came Straight Out Of A Disney Movie

Little Boba Looks Like She Came Straight Out Of A Disney Movie

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#21

I Posted And Then Deleted Cause I Thought This Was A Cat-Only Subreddit But I Think Everyone Deserves To See This Beauty

I Posted And Then Deleted Cause I Thought This Was A Cat-Only Subreddit But I Think Everyone Deserves To See This Beauty

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Dani M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thank you for posting it again :) we did need to see that

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According to the Redditor, “cats tend to have big peepers, and Reddit loves cats (so do I), so it all seemed a natural fit to create the sub.”

He continued: “More so, baby and juvenile animals tend to have disproportionately large eyes compared to their adult versions, and most warm-blooded animals have the inclination to coddle, protect, and admire their young - so when we see animals with big eyes, instinctively we find them more ‘adorable.’”

The author argues that the audience is all there for the same reason, “to get a nice serotonin boost from seeing cute animals with big eyes, so bad actors are few and far between.” As for the community’s management, there are one to two more moderators who check in every few months to monitor the content, but overall, the subreddit runs itself pretty well.

#24

My Baby Got His First Jewelry Today. Never Seen A Better Mix Of Posh And Derpiness

My Baby Got His First Jewelry Today. Never Seen A Better Mix Of Posh And Derpiness

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#25

Sectoral Heterochromia

Sectoral Heterochromia

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#27

Apparently, This Little Guy Also Belongs Here

Apparently, This Little Guy Also Belongs Here

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#28

She Was Just Rescued From The Streets. Finding Her A New Home Shouldn't Be Too Hard With That Sweet Face

She Was Just Rescued From The Streets. Finding Her A New Home Shouldn't Be Too Hard With That Sweet Face

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Babsevs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks a little like a raccoon in colouring?? Gorgeous, and yes @vinita, that cage is way too small!

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#29

Someone Suggested Z’s Ocean Eyes Belong Here 🌊

Someone Suggested Z’s Ocean Eyes Belong Here 🌊

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#32

Ovo

Ovo

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#33

The Face She Makes When My Husband Holds Her

The Face She Makes When My Husband Holds Her

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#34

The Void Would Like Some Snackies

The Void Would Like Some Snackies

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#35

Cross Posting My Sweet Girl

Cross Posting My Sweet Girl

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#37

Shower Time For Lil Fella

Shower Time For Lil Fella

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Babsevs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What??? A kitty that seems to be "enjoying" a bath?!?! This must be an alternate universe!

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#39

Ella’s Disney Eyes

Ella’s Disney Eyes

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#40

It's This Little Princess's Birthday Today

It's This Little Princess's Birthday Today

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#41

Onyx Eyes

Onyx Eyes

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#42

Someone Suggested To Post This Pic Of Lucy Here:)

Someone Suggested To Post This Pic Of Lucy Here:)

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#43

Say Hi To Our New Kitten, Lieutenant Dan!

Say Hi To Our New Kitten, Lieutenant Dan!

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#44

Wife Took This, Sent It To Me At Work, And I Knew Exactly Where It Belongs. Our Sweet Boy Meeko In His Obnoxiously Photogenic Glory

Wife Took This, Sent It To Me At Work, And I Knew Exactly Where It Belongs. Our Sweet Boy Meeko In His Obnoxiously Photogenic Glory

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Dani M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meeko?!?!?! Such a lovely pup and named after the cutest racoon :)

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#45

This Is Zelda. Unfortunately, I Couldn’t Keep Him. He Was Born On A Farm And I Lived In An Apartment In The City, And He Was Not Happy There. He Now Loves With A New Family In A Big House With His Human Little Brother

This Is Zelda. Unfortunately, I Couldn’t Keep Him. He Was Born On A Farm And I Lived In An Apartment In The City, And He Was Not Happy There. He Now Loves With A New Family In A Big House With His Human Little Brother

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#47

My Silver Bengal Kitty, Mr. Meow

My Silver Bengal Kitty, Mr. Meow

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#48

Not To Be Dramatic But I'd Die For Her

Not To Be Dramatic But I'd Die For Her

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#49

There Once Was A Princess

There Once Was A Princess

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Stary_cat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There once was a princess, the prettiest in the land. She had all the people on the earth mesmerised by her beauty!

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#50

My Little Luna

My Little Luna

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Note: this post originally had 102 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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