It’s only the start of 2017, but a wicked battle is brewing in Twitter world . . . possibly the biggest we’ll see this year. Luckily this duel isn’t about politics, mommy wars, or anything else that’ll make you want to climb under a rock. This battle is full of adorable seals, monkeys, and tiger cubs. Who’s winning? You tell us.
It all started when Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced the birth of this adorable grey seal.
We welcomed a gray seal pup Jan. 21. The pup appears to be nursing, moving & bonding well w/ mom. https://t.co/l0Bzu7g8ek #Squee pic.twitter.com/nEhuJe6vBk
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017
Then a Virginian, proud of her local zoo, challenged the Virginia Aquarium to deal the second card.
Your move @VAAquarium ;-) https://t.co/lhBwalpprO
— Sarah Hill Darrow (@sarahhilldarrow) January 25, 2017
And the Virginia Aquarium played along.
#challengeaccepted We see @NationalZoo 's seal pup, and raise an otter/osprey combo. pic.twitter.com/D9zDWXxuDb
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017
But the National Zoo said nay. There was no way they’d lose to the Virginia Aquarium.
.@VAAquarium This is Redd, our endangered Bornean orangutan infant. And he is the cutest. Do you fold yet? #challengeaccepted pic.twitter.com/ED6WiZun1R
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017
The two Twitter accounts would not stop! There was no controlling them!
Don't worry, we're still here. pic.twitter.com/0Qm9dcvMD9
— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017
.@VAAquarium Yawn. pic.twitter.com/szDSpmWnud
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017
Whoa! Look who showed up! The Bronx Zoo!
#cuteanimaltweetoff? Bam: an oldie but a goodie. pic.twitter.com/6kjrTXG9dl
— Bronx Zoo (@BronxZoo) January 25, 2017
Oh snap! More zoos are throwing their hats in the ring.
Ahem, the world's smallest deer checking in for the #cuteanimaltweetoff. #pudu pic.twitter.com/b4sZbQTz56
— Queens Zoo (@thequeenszoo) January 25, 2017
We're always down for a #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/hmkYOLBjrx
— ZooATL (@ZooATL) January 25, 2017
*mic drop* #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/go8i7gWAAF
— Philly Zoo (@phillyzoo) January 25, 2017
#cuteanimaltweetoff is ON @SarahJanetHill @VLMuseum @BronxZoo @sandiegozoo @sfzoo @phillyzoo @PhoenixZoo! U @LionCountry? Pic: J Budell pic.twitter.com/GWjjIOsqYJ
— Zoo Miami (@zoomiami) January 25, 2017
Mom cuddles are just the best❤ pic.twitter.com/UCqZmMrm1y
— San Francisco Zoo & Gardens (@sfzoo) January 25, 2017
When will this end? We hope never!
.@BronxZoo @sfzoo @ZooATL @phillyzoo @VAAquarium @SarahJanetHill @VLMuseum @sandiegozoo @zoomiami Wouldn't be complete without Tuvok! pic.twitter.com/G3KBN3F6sz
— Phoenix Zoo (@phoenixzoo) January 25, 2017
Leapin' Lemurs the #cuteanimaltweetoff is going strong. Behold our baby sifaka lemur. He's kind of cute, right? 💛 pic.twitter.com/9dNfyeJJ2d
— Maryland Zoo (@marylandzoo) January 25, 2017
"Excuse me, can I get in on this, too?" #CuteAnimalTweetOff pic.twitter.com/MATHGrJgvI
— Elmwood Park Zoo (@ElmwoodParkZoo) January 25, 2017
It's not a competition, but … #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/bhZkbvetT4
— Reid Park Zoo (@ReidParkZoo) January 25, 2017
Did someone say bath time? #cuteanimaltweetoff @ToledoZoo @AkronZoo @ColumbusZoo @CincinnatiZoo @clemetzoo pic.twitter.com/E7fxE1GLDW
— ClevelandZooSociety (@clevezoosociety) January 26, 2017
Oh no she didn't! Our baby jaguar Babette just entered a selfie in the #cuteanimaltweetoff. pic.twitter.com/yj12hr8vdk
— Tulsa Zoo (@TulsaZoo) January 26, 2017
Can we #TBT to yesterday's #CuteAnimalTweetOff? May its memory bring us all the warm fuzzies forever. pic.twitter.com/TsZ7mDfnJz
— Monterey Bay Aquarium (@MontereyAq) January 26, 2017
Welcome this cozy cheetah cub to the #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/vdhUKmyRqa
— Cincinnati Zoo (@CincinnatiZoo) January 26, 2017
Paws down, we have the cutest animal duo! 🐆🐶 #CuteAnimalTweetOff @ToledoZoo @clemetzoo @CincinnatiZoo @AkronZoo pic.twitter.com/suICnIEaOF
— Columbus Zoo (@ColumbusZoo) January 26, 2017
Can't believe we almost missed the #CuteAnimalTweetOff! Thanks for letting us know @CabernetLvr! pic.twitter.com/9gTgyc5i9A
— Seattle Aquarium (@SeattleAquarium) January 25, 2017
This has gotta’ be the greatest thing the Internet has brought us.
Who do you think won? Tell us in the comments below!