Turtle Babies – The ‘Cute’ Factor

This summer I had the opportunity to release hatchling turtles at Long Point on Lake Erie. The cuteness factor of these tiny imps soars to lofty heights. Everyone in the release parties gushed when the organizer lifted the lids on their containers.

Scientists have long been intrigued by the qualities that define cuteness in animals. Why do we find some creatures “cute” and not others? Some triggers of cuteness include big eyes, rounded bodies, non-threatening behaviours and perceptions of vulnerability.

Baby turtles have these qualities in spades, along with outsized heads and small bodies, giving them a “bobblehead” look. They are tiny, inoffensive and basically defenseless in a dangerous world. We are drawn to help.

Why do these traits pull at our heartstrings? Almost certainly because the same features are found in our own babies – features ensuring we devote time, energy and love to their survival.

Interestingly, caring in response to “cuteness” is usually reserved for our fellow mammals, although baby birds – awkward, big-eyed, and often comically adorned with fuzzy feathers – also evoke oohs and ahhs. 

Turtles, however, are reptiles and other reptiles – think snakes and crocodilians – usually don’t register on the “cuteness” scale.

The importance of cuteness is far from trivial. Just as the cuteness of our babies focuses our attention on them, the cuteness of baby turtles encourages us to pay heed to them. As our modern world pushes many turtles towards the brink through the dual threats of habitat loss and road mortality, this attention is critical.

I find it remarkable that great apes like you and me have evolved to perceive cuteness in other species and respond with care, and even love. Being cute isn’t always a necessary prompt for us to do the right thing, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.