After posting 12 photos of baby animals, I’ve learned that animals that I don’t necessarily think are cute can be downright adorable as babies. (Like an iguana.)

I asked for suggestions on animals beginning with M, and my brother-in-law E commented with a list of possible selections. I originally thought I’d post a photo of a meerkat because they are awesome, but decided to take a quick peek at the mongoose.

Oh. My goodness.

Photo: A Cute A Day

“Cute” wasn’t the first word that comes to mind when I thought about mongooses (mongeese? I don’t even know) until I saw this picture. I just want to cuddle it and ignore the fact that an adult mongoose would probably gnaw my face off.

Speaking of which, let’s take a gander (pun intended, unless male mongooses/geese aren’t actually called “ganders…”) at a picture of an adult mongoose:

Image: Lonley Planet Images / Getty Images

Not terrible, but I wouldn’t say they’re in the running for the cutest animal in the world. Their babies, on the other hand? So stinkin’ cute.

Thanks for the tip, E! And the rest of you – got any suggestions for animals beginning with N? Lay ‘em on me!

Happy Sunday!