FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Tech

Panda Cam May Go Dark Tomorrow, So Watch These Animal Cams Instead

What will the internet do?
Mei Xiang snuggling with her cub earlier this morning.

Tomorrow the government may shut down. As news outlets attempt to keep abreast on updates, questions persist about the actual significance of this moment both within and beyond the government. But amidst the uncertainty, there is at least one minor but nonetheless unfortunate fact we know to be true: the National Zoo’s baby panda webcam will be temporary shuttered.

What will the internet do? Where will it go to satiate its daily quota of adorable animal shenanigans? Surely there must be other sources of joy on the internet besides watching Mei Xiang cuddle her offspring.

Advertisement

And there are. This short list aims to provide you with the dose of Animalia you need to get through your daily routine during our government's forced nap. These organic anti-anxiety meds will stave off your encroaching panic with visions of nature and life beyond the confines of human society. Some of them are also pretty fucking cute.

So let’s get to it.

I just watched these polar bears have a wrestling match from the comfort of my apartment.

Explore.org has a massive storehouse of live animal webcams. Depending on the time of year, some feeds are more active than others. But with fifty-five to select from—including polar bears frolicking on the tundra, service puppies growing into service dogs, and even leaves changing color as autumn approaches—you are bound to find something educational, adorable, or otherwise entrancing.

The internet's favorite webcam.

Of course, there’s always the ceaselessly wonderful Shiba Inu puppy cam. The most recent batch of puppies was born on August 21. While there’s probably very little to learn in the way of hard scientific fact by watching these dudes romp with one another, if you’re having a case of the Mondays, there is no better cure.

Itch itch itch.

And for those more charmed by the grimier side of life, there’s something for you courtesy of the Audobon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium: Cockroach Cam. It makes me itchy just to watch, but hey, if that’s your thing.

@heyiamlex