Best Animal Videos Of 2012: The Cutest, Funniest And Most Popular Clips Of The Year

As 2012 comes to an end, it's a good time to reflect and remember the most important stories of the year. So let's be honest: wacky, cute and fascinating animal videos stole the show.

This was a particularly good year for animal watching: Viewers saw Siku the polar bear grow up on a live webcam, a monkey traipse through IKEA and sloth mania take the world by storm.

Cute pets were also a source of celebration here at The Huffington Post. If you want to take the aww-factor up a notch, check out our user-submitted Cutest Pets of 2012 slideshow.

Unfortunately, some of this year's animal stories left us little to smile at. Abuse at farms, horrific poaching and undercover trafficking were just a few of the issues surrounding animal welfare and conservation. As for domestic pets, millions of stray dogs and cats are euthanized every year. To support conservation efforts, consider donating to the World Wildlife Fund here. You can also check out the ASPCA website or Petfinder.com for more information on how to help domestic animals in need of a home.

Here are the best animal videos from 2012. "Like" your favorites, and tell us other great videos in the comments below!

• Baby Sloths Wear 'Onesies'

  Clearly, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/20/best-sloth-videos-funny-cute_n_1968177.html">sloths are amazing</a>, and this video is just one example of why. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/01/baby-sloths-wearing-onesies_n_1313389.html?utm_hp_ref=cute-animal-videos">To read more about this insanely adorable little guy, click here</a>.

• Hamlet The Mini Pig Goes Down The Stairs To Eat Oatmeal

  For some, life doesn't get better than diving head-first into a bowl of oatmeal. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/06/hamlet-mini-pig-goes-down-stairs-oatmeal_n_1574841.html">To read more about Hamlet the little pig, click here</a>.

• Lion Cubs Hug Trainer

  Lions, tigers and bears may scare some people, but not this trainer! <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/19/lion-cubs-hug-trainer_n_1365522.html">Read more here</a>.

• Leopard Attacks Impala (GRAPHIC)

  <strong>WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT</strong> This natural moment in the animal kingdom almost seems unreal. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/05/leopard-impala-attack-video_n_1943554.html">Click here to read more</a> about how this was caught on film.

• Hero Pig Saves Baby Goat From Drowning

  Partly adorable, partly admirable, this video shows little porky's pluck during an emergency. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/pig-saves-baby-goat-from-drowning-petting-zoo-spider-pig_n_1901293.html">Read more about the rescue here</a>.

• Baby Koala Peeks Out Of Mom's Pouch

  This. Is. Adorable. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/27/baby-koala-joey-pouch-taipei-zoo-video_n_1549414.html">Click here to read more</a> about this peek-a-boo koala cub.

• Sea Otter Pup Swims, Covers Its Eyes

  Warning: This video WILL make your heart melt. If you are prepared to handle any more cuteness, read more about <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/21/sea-otter-pup-swims-cover_n_1616391.html">this adorable sea otter here</a>.

• Panda Cub Learns To Walk

  First steps are a milestone in any baby's life, but this cuddly guy takes cuteness to a whole new level. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/19/baby-panda-takes-first-steps-san-diego-zoo_n_1987946.html">Read more about "Sausage" the panda here</a>.

• Baby Chick And Cat Snuggle, Cat Unimpressed

  Why is interspecies cuddling so adorable? <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/20/chick-and-cat-snuggle_n_1531619.html">Click here for more</a>.

• Whale Shoots Rainbow Out Of Blowhole

  Some things you just have to see to believe. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/21/whale-rainbow-out-of-blowhole_n_1617146.html">Click here for more on this special whale-watching moment</a> caught on tape.

• Whale Gnaws On 13-Foot Giant Squid

  The bright orange squid is almost mythical in size: "In all my time on the water -- and I've spent 200-plus days out there -- I've never seen anything like it," <em>Daily Telegraph</em> fishing columnist Al McGlashan told The Grind in a telephone interview. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/13-foot-giant-squid-found_n_1571576.html">Click here for more about this awe-inspiring animal</a>.

• Boxer Puppy And Cows Make Friends

  This pup clearly knows how to draw a crowd! <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/28/boxer-puppy-cows-make-friends_n_1210271.html">Click here for more</a>.

• Cat And Rat Drink Milk Together

  Ridiculous? Adorable? Can't it be both? <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/23/cat-and-rat-drinking-milk-video_n_1296401.html?utm_hp_ref=cute-animal-videos">Click here for more</a>.

• Great White Shark Off Australian Coast Threatens Divers

  It's almost like <em>Jaws </em>in real life. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/13/great-white-australia-divers-video_n_1671894.html">Click here for more information on this scary encounter</a>.

• Driving Dogs Pass Test In New Zealand

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/11/driving-dogs-pass-test_n_2278191.html">Click here to read more</a> about this pooch's quirky achievement.

• Dolphin Gives Birth To Female Calf

  <strong>WARNING: This video contains graphic content.</strong> This on-camera birth gives viewers a mind-blowing peek into nature. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/dolphin-gives-birth-keo-female-calf-dolphin-quest_n_1909872.html">Check out this article for more information about the new calf</a>.

• World's First Liliger Born At Russian Zoo

  Watch this adorable liger-lion mix tumble and play! <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/kiara-the-worlds-first-liliger-russian-zoo-lion-liger-tiger-video_n_1894849.html">Click here to read more</a> about Kiara and the practice of breeding hybrid cats.

• Migaloo, Albino Humpack Whale, Spotted Off Australian Coast

  Migaloo has been spotted 3 times since 1991. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/28/albino-humpback-whale-white-migaloo-video_n_1920086.html">To read more about this rare creature, click here</a>.

• 655-Pound Sea Turtle Rescued And Released

  Found on a mud flat in Truro, MA, this leatherback turtle was like "a swimming dinosaur" and clearly not in good health. Watch his return to the wild in this video, and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/655-pound-sea-turtle-rescued-released-cape-cod_n_1910469.html">read more about the excursion here</a>.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/22/best-animal-videos-2012_n_2324165.html

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