Hasani the gorilla: Born December 8, 2008, at the San Francisco Zoo

Six-month-old Hasani has already proven he's a survivor. Abandoned by his mom shortly after birth, the gorilla was been cared for by zookeepers, who filled in with feedings, cleanings, and cuddles. They recently found a surrogate mom, Bawang -a pro who's brought up three kids of her own and survived some hard knocks. (She, too, was raised by humans.) The two hit it off when they met in late April: Bawang snuggled with her new boy and lifted him over her head, winning a smile.


Xi Lan the panda: Born August 30, 2008, at Zoo Atlanta

Spunky cub Xi Lan is the younger brother of Mei Lan, who will be 3 in September. There isn't much sibling rivalry so far. In fact, the two barely spend time together as giant pandas are solitary by nature. Zookeepers do note that Xi Lan is the more adventurous one; he loves to clamber right to the top of his climbing structures. He's expected to reach 255 pounds by adulthood.


Presley the gerenuk: Born November 16, 2008, at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park in Orlando, Fla.

Presley's elongated ears are startling enough, but her unusually long neck is ultimately the most useful and distinctive. Gerenuks (Somali for "giraffe-necked") are African antelopes that rely on their necks to graze on trees and tall bushes instead of grass. Presley doesn't even need to drink; she gets all the water she needs from such plants.

More "cuties" here!