geekosystem

Sharing isn't always caring, it would seem. In penguins, for example, sharing seems to be the result of being kind of a jerk. Researchers investigating the physics of how penguins share warmth by huddling together on particularly cold Antarctic days found that each penguin is trying only to maximize the heat it retains while snuggling with its colleagues, but that the result is an egalitarian cuddle pile in which every penguin has more or less the same access to warmth. In other more important news, there are researchers working hard on revealing the science behind penguin snuggling, because hooray for science.

Why is it that we, as a culture, find babies so absolutely adorable? This often extends to things like puppies, kittens, and other furry little balls of youth. That's what the SciShow has tackled with their most recent video. The origins of cute, as broken down in the video, basically comes down to the fact that we, as a species, are required to look after our babies. By evolving to consider a baby's collective traits to be ridiculously cute, we then are less likely to just drop them off on their own whenever we feel like. Not that this doesn't happen, of course, but it's not like it's a regular occurrence.

It's late afternoon on a Friday and, odds are, you're probably reading this at work. If that's the case, then we can be collectively envious of this yellow-shirted man (who is almost certainly someone's uncle) as he lays down in the grass and allows some goat kids to jump on his back for a while. It's probably the cutest thing you'll see all day. If this doesn't make you flip over your desk and run off to become a farmer, I don't know what will.

Willow is a small dog and that is a very big pile of leaves. Hilarity, adorableness ensue.

Just a quick reminder from Reddit user streamcipher that sometimes the best birthday present is a handmade book about you and your girlfriend fighting evil vines.

If you've ever wanted to dress up your dog as a dinosaur, then these officially licensed Animal Planet costumes are just for you. There are currently three models of dino-dog costumes -- stegosaurus, triceratops, and velociraptor. However, there are several other dangerous species included. Read on after the break for a look at these adorable, rampaging canine cosplayers.

Nature has apparently seen fit to allow this dog and this river otter to be best friends. Watch as they rough-house, chase each other, and generally have just the best ol' time of it. I'll admit I was concerned for the otter at first -- the dog is so much bigger, after all. But watching them, it seems like they understand each other. At least, as far as playing goes. Amazingly, this doesn't seem to be an isolated occurrence. Please inform my editors that I will be spending the rest of the day watching dogs play with otters. Possibly the rest of my life. Don't wait up. (via Buzzfeed)

It's unclear whether this dog is guarding something, or very excited about the possibility of someone coming to play with him. Either way, he is determined not to let a well-lubricated gate get in his way. Good boy. (via Reddit)

This small dog is not aware of many things. First, that the cool sensation eminating from the window AC unit is not, in fact, water and makes a poor medium for swimming. Second, that he looks adorable while trying to swim in the air. For this, we love him. (via Reddit)

We began today with elephants, so it is only fitting that we end the day with elephants as well. So please enjoy these cute, baby elephants splashing about in an inflatable kiddie pool. How could you not? (via BuzzFeed)

It was the trial of the century, looking to answer the tragic question of "who ate the cat treats?" Confronted with irrefutable evidence of his guilt, the dog-fendant "Denver" could no longer hide his shame. He was sentenced to the "penalty box," but will likely get time off for being adorable. (via Reddit)

Researchers at the New Orleans-based Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species presented two rare African Black-Footed kittens demonstrating major advances in animal reproductive science and also general adorableness. The two male kittens, as yet unnamed, were produced through a demonstration of long-term genetic material and embryo storage that may give hope for preventing the extinction of other rare species in captivity. The research at the institute also aims to use ubiquitous domestic cats as surrogates for rare species. The story of these cats begins in 2003 when sperm from the father, Ramses, was frozen and sent to the Audubon center. In 2005, embryos were created through artificial insemination from the egg donor, Zora, and frozen again in a frozen slush with liquid nitrogen, which prevented damage to the cells that occur in hard-freezing. The embryos were then implanted into Bijou this past December, with the pair of male kittens born in February

Have you ever been sitting there at othe card table set up in Bernie's basement, looking at that special someone over a pile of GameFuel cans? The way he or she holds those 20-sided dice, and how she or he always remembers your stats so you don't have to look them up. When he or she looked you in the eye, you knew this person had just rolled a natural 20 -- straight to your heart. (via Topless Robot)

Britney the dog understands the threat Daleks pose to the human race: Noise pollution. EXTERMINATE!

(via BuzzFeed)

They had us at the music. Arrrg, why don't we own LittleBigPlanet 2 yet!? (via Kotaku.)