Pucker Up, Furry Lips! 10 Animals That Love to Kiss

As it turns out, humans aren’t the only animals accustomed to planting kisses on one another. Check out the following photo compilation for ten different species who also get caught up in the moment!

1. Squirrels!Photo credit: creativity+ http://www.funnypicturefunnyphoto.com/

Squirrels “kiss” as a way of identifying one another, sniffing his partner’s neck gland for a familiar scent.

2. Meerkats!

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org Foxtongue

In a group, meerkats often groom and “kiss” the faces of their alpha members, both after they’ve been scent-marked as subordinate, and when certain members return to the group after a brief separation.

3. African Gray Parrots!


 photo credit: Joachim S. Müller

Many parrot breeds (including the African Gray Parrot above), “kiss” one another in the wild out of acceptance, affection, and/or attachment – sometimes this may include one parrot’s (all too generously) sharing its nearly-digested lunch with its partner.

4. Puffins!

Photo Credit: creativecommons.org Sarah and Iain

“Billing,” the technical term for puffin kissing, consists of two puffins rubbing their beaks together; it is typically performed when the two begin their courting. And because puffins are so community-oriented, it’s said that a couple engaging in billing is wont to attract an audience of puffin spectators around them!

5. Blue Vervets!


 photo credit: Swiv

Blue vervet monkeys “kiss” as part of a greeting – before play or grooming –  by touching their muzzles together.

6. Polar Bears!


 photo credit: hrhaahr

Polar bears may “kiss” one another to show affection, especially in the spirit of reconciliation.

7. Chimpanzees!

Photo courtesy of creativecommons.org Judee71

Observations of chimpanzees report that after a fight, members of this species make up by embracing and kissing one another!

8. Snails!


 photo credit: eskimo_jo

While mating, a snail caresses its partner’s antennae as an expression of emotion.

9. Cows!


 photo credit: orangebrompton

Cows will “kiss” one another for hours as a show of their affection.

10. Elephants!


 photo credit: Clover_1

When two elephants meet, each “kisses” by affectionately sticking its trunk in the other elephant’s mouth.