Photo by Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

As part of a fundraising push, the National Zoo recently posted a slideshow highlighting their wildlife initiatives and, more importantly, the baby animals born at the zoo this year. We’ve followed the National Zoo on this adorable baby animal journey in 2011, even living the dream of spending a day with a zoo keeper. While there were no new panda cubs in 2011, there were quite a number of other cuddly critters to keep us squeeing. Read on for some of our favorites, and let us know which one you’d like to cuddle while its small enough to steal your heart, and not big enough to rip your face off.

Baby Red Pandas
It is a bit of a mistake to say there were no new pandas this year, because there were red pandas! With their little beady eyes, red fur and crazy hijinks, Butterstick better watch his back.

Cheetah Cubs
Is it their little spotted faces? Their pink tongues that always seem to be sticking out? Or their adorable attempts at ferociousness? Whatever it is, we could not get enough of the cheetah cubs this year. And it seems that neither could the rest of the internet, which recently participated in naming the little fluffballs through the zoo’s partnership with I Can Haz Cheeseburger.

Lion Cubs
While they were actually born in 2010, the lion cubs were very much on our minds this year. Who doesn’t have bookmarked those pictures of them swimming? In January we clued you in on their collectible identification cards and this past October we recommended you dress up as one for Halloween! Alas, how they’ve grown though.

Baby Anteater
A cute anteater? That may have been many reader’s first thoughts when hearing about the zoo’s newly born long-nosed fella, but one look at this picture and it can’t be denied, those things are freaking adorable.

Crane Chick
A feathered friend added its cuteness to the furry mix this past March, when a Wattled Crane gave birth to a new chick.

Clouded Leopard Cubs
March was busy month for the zoo, as it added to its ranks a litter of clouded leopard cubs.

Ferret Kit
Shockingly, the National Zoo didn’t listen to our suggestion for a name for its new ferret kit, and let the public name it Rosebud.

Baby Gorilla
Lastly, we shall leave you with a baby gorilla video. She wasn’t born this year either, but look into those those big eyes and you won’t care.