7 of the Happiest Animals in the World Can Be Found in Maine
Did you know that some of the happiest animals in the world can be found in Maine?
A-Z Animals put together a list of the most delightful creatures on the planet, and seven of them, including the No. 1 animal, are in the Pine Tree State.
Move over, Grumpy Cat, you'll not be found on this roll call.
A-Z Animals had 10 animals on its list, but the following are the ones that can be found in Maine.
Bluebird
The Natural Resources Council of Maine says of the three bluebird species in the U.S., Maine is home to the Eastern Bluebird.
Bluebirds are generally seen near the start of spring, but there have been instances where some have been spotted in winter, according to the nonprofit.
The Bangor Daily News said there has been an upswing in the bluebird population over the years, so the likelihood of you seeing one of these happy little creatures is a very real thing.
Opossum
Maine has one marsupial in the state, and it's this happy critter: the opossum, according to the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife noted in a Facebook post that not only has the opossum been in the state for about the last 50 years, but it also is resourceful and really knows how to adapt.
The wildlife department also said opossums aren't picky with their snacks, which probably plays into part of why they are just such happy animals.
Crow
The Maine Audobon Society said you can see the American Crow and Fish Crow in Maine, though they look "nearly identical."
During the winter, crows like to gather together in large roosts and can be found all over the state, according to Maine Bird Atlas.
What's more fun than one happy crow? A bunch of happy crows cawing away.
Donkey
OK, so you're not going to find donkeys in the wild in Maine, but you can often find them at any number of farms in the state.
Dew Haven in Mount Vernon even added a new one in 2023 that loves to be pet.
According to the Open Sanctuary Project, donkeys can form life-lasting friendships and have powerful bonds.
Dolphin
Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation said that Atlantic white-sided dolphins can be found in the Gulf of Maine and even near the Isles of Shoals, about 5 miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine.
According to NOAA Fisheries, these "gregarious dolphins often engage in acrobatic activity, breaching and jumping at the surface."
So they've definitely got a lot of happy energy to spare.
Goat
If you've ever seen videos of the baby goats jumping around at Sunflower Farm Creamery in Cumberland, it's no surprise they are happy animals.
You can find goats at a number of farms across the state, much like the donkeys mentioned earlier.
Realmaine.com even has a helpful list of all the goat farms in Maine, if you were wondering just where all the joyful animal fun is happening.
Squirrel
The No. 1 happiest animal on A-Z Animals' list is the squirrel, which "take[s] the prize for looking like they’re always having a blast."
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife said that the Eastern Gray Squirrel is mostly found in southern and central Maine and the Red Squirrel is found statewide.
If anything it seems these creatures are EVERYWHERE, and they aren't going anywhere either. Just grabbing some nuts, running around with other squirrels, and just being happy.