Animal Photos Of The Week

As the extended holiday weekend comes to an end, grab your leftovers and flip through this week's best animal photos.

Good luck not falling in love with the adorable 10-day-old cheetah cub Kiburi, an orphaned white-naped mangabey monkey or the baby Olive Ridley turtle setting off toward the sea.

Of course there are some expected turkey photos, though you might be surprised by the ring-tailed lemur sitting down at the table for a Thanksgiving feast.

Vote for your favorite photos this week, and let us know what you think in the comments!

San Diego Cheetah

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This photo provided by the San Diego Zoo shows Kiburi, a 10-day-old cheetah cub, after he opened his eyes, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's Animal Care Center. He took in the world, gobbled down a bottle, played for a little while, and then went back fast asleep in the window of the nursery. (AP Photo/San Diego Zoo)

San Diego Cheetah

This photo provided by the San Diego Zoo shows Kiburi, a 10-day-old cheetah cub, after he opened his eyes, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's Animal Care Center. He took in the world, gobbled down a bottle, played for a little while, and then went back fast asleep in the window of the nursery. (AP Photo/San Diego Zoo)

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San Diego Cheetah

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Comments

[WhereSheStops]

01:44 PM on 11/29/2010

Glad I got to the Lemur Thanksgiving before Big Shots flugged up my computer.

[GraniteSkyline]

10:42 AM on 11/29/2010

I like the airborne tiger in #13--its a great shot!

[Robin Rader]

06:35 AM on 11/29/2010

Could you PLEASE stop promoting cruelty at zoos and stop showing pictures of "cute prisoners" and let them alone without publicity, so that this torture can stop at some point in time soon !?!?!?!
Thank you very much.

[Aramek]

11:41 AM on 11/29/2010

No.

[Greg Tyson Smith]

06:08 PM on 11/29/2010

Seconded. It is horrible to think about, but the cheetah at the zoo in my town has barely any room to just walk around, let alone run as nature intended. She has that pacing stress disorder that so many zoo animals get and is the reason I will never give a zoo my money again.

[LastTexasRose]

01:18 AM on 11/29/2010

I love seeing photos of baby animals, but I really dislike the "Big Shots" they never work right on my computer

[WhereSheStops]

01:45 PM on 11/29/2010

ditto

[Amock]

01:14 AM on 11/29/2010

Luv the Cheetah cub!

[Amock]

01:10 AM on 11/29/2010

That Cheetah cub is about as cute as my Avatar.

[PolicyWonkette]

12:59 AM on 11/29/2010

Aw -- look at that little cheetah. He so cute -- and he's going to be soooooo fast. It's too bad he won't get to run full boar after a boar on the Savannah.

[PolicyWonkette]

01:01 AM on 11/29/2010

He says "Look at my claws! They're going to rip something to shreds some day."

[brooklyncitizen]

09:31 PM on 11/28/2010

I have a soft spot for the primate...that little guy is too cute.

[thepoliticalcat]

08:29 PM on 11/28/2010

Some of these photos are heartbreaking. Others are ... renewing. Happy to see the rescued lions. Hopefully they'll find joy and peace at their new homes. And the O'Rly owl is a hoot. (Sorry, I just had to.)

[thepoliticalcat]

08:13 PM on 11/28/2010

O hai, little Kiburi! You CAN HAS cheezbrgr. Come to think of it, in a few years you can probably also has Hoominbrgr.

[MadameChaillot]

06:48 PM on 11/28/2010

There is so much beauty on this planet. And then there are humans, who fail to understand not only the beauty but their own place in the scheme of things.One of the worst things the bible ever put forth was the idea that man had dominion over all else because apparently he thinks that means to kill until it's gone.

My fervent hope is for these animals to be able to live long lives free from human unkindness.
Hope is the pillar that holds up the world....

[thepoliticalcat]

08:14 PM on 11/28/2010

Dear lady, your comments are always wise and apropos.

[RButler]

08:49 PM on 11/28/2010

I was always fascinated by my cat who would be warm and friendly to me, a human, but would meow loudly at the window if there was another cat looking in - her own kind. 
 
But, while reading your comment, I realized the same thing about myself.  I love animals and hate to ever see them harmed even by each other but there are many off my own kind that I could care less about.  You know who you are Dick Cheney. 

[MadameChaillot]

09:58 AM on 11/29/2010

Oh Rhett! You're such a rascal!

People have misconceptions about the loyalty of cats. In my lifetime I have had two cats who would attack dogs of any size, that dared step into our yard, because they were so protective of their people. Still have the one and she's pushing 18. She attacked a neighbors' dogs this fall when he allowed them off their leashes into my yard. It amazes me how fiercely she defends us in spite of her tiny size. And you're right - there are few humans who can fill those paws.

[amantedelibros]

06:43 PM on 11/28/2010

This baby cheetah is the tenderest thing I've seen all day. In the face of so much worry, it's really nice to come on HP and see this charming photo of such a beautiful little creature. May it live a long, healthy, happy and safe life.

[thepoliticalcat]

08:15 PM on 11/28/2010

Yes, big thank you to Huffpo for making this a regular feature. It's a great little oasis of peace after all the horrors of the daily news.

[PlutocratsSuck]

05:46 PM on 11/28/2010

Baby big cats are really, really cute. Then they grow up and rip_your arms off. :0

[thepoliticalcat]

08:15 PM on 11/28/2010

Well, being dinner for a really really cute big kitty isn't such a bad way to go ...

[RButler]

08:51 PM on 11/28/2010

I recall the ending of 'Legends of the Fall' when Brad Pitt's character is killed by a bear.  The narrator says 'It was a good death'.  

[edva]

05:10 PM on 11/28/2010

Beautiful pictures. So many "persons" behind those eyes, as with all animals. Due our respect.

[lisakaz2]

04:40 PM on 11/28/2010

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww. Luvs da kitty!