Animals Show Us What Motherhood Is All About and We Can’t Help but See Ourselves in Them

Motherhood can be hard, but it remains to be the most rewarding job in the world — and moms from the animal kingdom know this well. Scientists say that the drive to care for infants, be it their own babies or adopted ones, seems to be universal among humans and many animals, no matter how difficult it may be.

Smalljoys have collected some striking pictures showing animal moms behaving much like humans do: feeding, teaching and protecting their children no matter the cost. Look through this list all the way to the end for your daily dose of cuteness!

1. This mama needs a nap.

2. When protecting your babies makes you look like an octopus:

3. Babies can be overwhelming at times.

4. These kittens look a bit different but she loves them nonetheless.

5. A hen taking care of kittens during a storm

6. When only 1 kid takes after their dad:

7. Having 11 kids can be rough!

8. This yellow baboon adopted a bush baby.

9. A young, happy family in love

10. Nothing is more comfortable than a mommy’s tail.

11. Mommy and daddy cats with their kittens

12. When a mother duck isn’t really a duck:

13. Babies remain babies no matter their size.

14. Who can tell that these babies were adopted?

15. “My cat recently had kittens — her face is priceless.”

16. “When your adopted brother is really big but Mom doesn’t mind.”

Bonus.

1. An elk hopping around in the snow, carrying a baby inside

2. No, I didn’t eat too many worms yesterday! But I wish I did…

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That'll be TWO pregnant geckos then! #leopardgecko #gecko #lizard #reptile #pregnant #pregnantgecko

A post shared by Kay Greaves (@superspeshkay) on Jun 8, 2014 at 4:44am PDT

3. Tell me what you know about a pear-shaped body…

4. Godzilla’s coming to town.

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Godzilla is about to give birth on Key Colony Beach. Iguanas are moving to Florida! #kcb #iguanasofinstagram #visitflorida #fantasyfest2016

A post shared by Lorinda Fore (@lorindasart) on Nov 2, 2016 at 3:10am PDT

5. See that barbed wire? Don’t come near me, I’m pregnant!

6. This baby is definitely gonna be “down to earth.”

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#kenyanınhayvanları#animalsofkenya #hamilezebra #pregnantzebra #masaimara

A post shared by Faik Burhanoğlu (@bfaik) on Aug 17, 2018 at 9:25am PDT

7. Guys, I heard Swedish dads get maternity leave too!

8. Cute little piglets, they said… You wouldn’t call them little if you were me.

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#soproud .. Our first born is all grown up and soon to become a mummy too! Poor thing, I know exactly how she feels, heavy, massive and fed up. (Though she was pretty massive before getting preggers, her belly didn’t however quite drag on the floor a few months back). We could feel the little piglets kicking through her belly .. a few more weeks to go! Did you know, that a pigs normal gestation period is 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days #didyouknow #fact #pigfacts ????????#piglets #minipigs #minipigsofinstagram #pigfamily #pigsofinstagram #preggers #piggiesofinstagram #preggopig #babypig #pregnantbelly #pregnantpig #piglife #piggies #dogpig #babybelly #bumpie

A post shared by Lauren Olander (@youmeandattemakesthree) on Aug 25, 2018 at 7:56am PDT

9. It’s my 5th time. Nothing surprises me anymore…

10. She’s got a whole portion of “ratatouille” in her tummy.

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Our Jenny is due today! So excited for her! How many jellybeans do you think are in that big baby bump? Follow us on Facebook to find out! #rat #ratsaspets #ratsofinstagram #babyrat #pregnantrat

A post shared by Moonshadow Rattery & Exotics (@moonshadowrattery) on Jul 18, 2017 at 4:30am PDT

11. One belly button coming right up!

12. Bambi? Is that you?

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More backyard whitetail deer from Texas. #getolympus #olympusomd #olympusomdem10markii #whitetail #deer #texas #texasdeer #fawns #pregnantdeer #saladotexas #whitetaildeer #whitetailfawn #doeadeer #does #doe #texaswildlife #nature_brilliance #nature #wildlife #deerofinstagram #texas_ig #backyarddeer

A post shared by Laura ?? (@lolahancock) on Jul 1, 2017 at 11:41am PDT

13. Showcasing her tummy like the precious thing it is.

14. What if those little ones already have needles?

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Big pregnant belly! Help i cant get off my back!?? #hedgehog #hedgehogsofinstagram #hedgehogs #hedgehogofinsta #pregnanthedgehog #hedgie #hedgielover #hedgehoglover

A post shared by A Prickle of Hedgehogs (@hedgehog_mom_) on Jul 19, 2017 at 6:45am PDT

15. I’d sleep standing up too, if I could. Trust me on this one.

16. What are you looking at? It’s all fluff! OK, it’s not…

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#kakariki #yellowcrownedparakeet #pregnantbird #laufsittich #springsittich #brüten ? ?

A post shared by Johanna Franz (@joh290691) on Jan 28, 2018 at 1:49pm PST

17. Get up, you lazy head! Your brother is popping out any minute now.

19. Caviar: 100% loaded

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HELLOOO??❤️ fat beauty #bigcarp #pregnantfish #babyfish ?

A post shared by Levi Gulikers (@levigulikers) on May 15, 2018 at 11:51am PDT

20. Draw me like one of your French girls…

21. Never seen a pregnant ant? Ta-daaah!

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105- The lucky ant queen ballade in Forest. #walkslowly#dontkilleverything #pics#photo#photographie#photography#photografia#forest#nature#creating#lifeprocess#pregnantAnt#antqueen#france#secretspot#ballade#walk#cool#relaxing#beautiful#watcher#2018#black#macro#macrophotography#1seconde#1shot#zen

A post shared by Capture L'âme d'un Instant – (@jaid.pics) on May 7, 2018 at 7:46am PDT