Need a little pick me up? Or running out of positive things to do while self-quarantining at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic?
"Animals have always had a calming effect on people," says Jason Chatfield, vice president of zoological operations at Miami's Jungle Island. "So it comes as no surprise that during these difficult times where people are under an exorbitant amount of stress, that the simple fact of watching an animal would help to reduce anxiety."
In fact, studies suggest that watching cat videos gives you more energy and even makes you more productive on tasks that require focus.
Here are seven places to watch adorable and amazing animals livestreamed online for free.
An eagle's nest—with babies
In case you weren't aware, baby eagles are so ugly they're cute. Explore.com has a live feed to a bald eagle nest located near a trout hatchery in Decorah, Iowa. This eagle mamma's original nest was destroyed — twice — so an area bird preservation non-profit called the Raptor Resource Project decided to rebuild it. Now you can watch the stoic bird stand guard over, feed and interact with her growing family, in real time.
Cat rescues
Get access to 13 cat live streams at once on Explore.com's cat rescue page. From a jumble of kittens grooming each other to a baby bobcat rehab, there's something for every feline fan.
Giant pandas in China
Virtually head to Shenshuping Gengda Panda Center in China's Wolong Valley where you can watch pandas (there's even a tot) play via Explore.org's Panda Cam. These herbivores also love to chomp on bamboo and nap.
Gorillas in the Congo
This feed operates day and night from the GRACE (Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center) in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Unsurprisingly, the daytime feed resembles what most humans are doing right now: lounging and eating.
Miami meerkats
Zoo Miami partnered with EarthCam to allow the world to get up close and personal with its lovable meerkats (which are part of the mongoose family). Watch them burrow and play, and you can sometimes see a guest appearance by a neighboring fox or zoo employee.
Goats galore
See goats play, in real time, at Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The farm-meets-adventure park hosts over 750 animals but has a live cam on its goats. Keep a special eye out for the frisky baby goats, who do the funniest things.
African safari animals
WildEarth's Safari Live broadcasts actual live safaris from the wilderness in Maasai Mara in Kenya and the the Greater Kruger Park in South Africa. See lions, tigers and hyenas (oh my!) from the comfort of your own couch. You can ask a safari guide questions about what you're seeing and have them answered in real time. The sunrise and sunset live safaris run during select times of the day so check the site for scheduling. The site even lets you set a reminder to tune in.
Don't miss: Science says pets can buffer stress, boost productivity and help keep you healthy while you WFH
