That best friend feline: Adorable photographs show inseparable tiger and lion cubs before their animal instincts kick in
Published: 11:25 GMT, 4 September 2016 | Updated: 00:13 GMT, 5 September 201
Big cats are not generally known for being friendly creatures but these adorable photographs show how a pair of newborn cubs have become the best of friends at a zoo in Japan.
The new arrivals, a lion and a tiger cub, are seen cuddling each other and play fighting like they were siblings.
They seem completely oblivious to their differences as they snooze side by side.
And it seems that their instincts have yet to kick in as they're even seen snuggling up to bunnies.
The furry creatures are pictured at African Safari, in Oita prefecture in the south of the country, where they were born earlier this year.
Staff from the zoo have been sharing images of the tiny cubs on Twitter, where thousands of users have since been cooing over the animals.
Scroll down for video
These adorable lion and tiger cubs were born at African Safari in the Oita prefecture of Japan earlier this year
Staff at the zoo have been sharing these adorable photographs over the last few weeks, making thousands of people coo over the images
The two cubs seem completely unaware that they're different species as they snuggle up against each other (left). Right, the lion cub falls asleep
The revealing images show how the animals have yet to gain their animal instincts. Above, the tiger cub snuggles up to a bunny at the zoo
Left, the curious tiger cub is seen sniffing the bunnies, who in turn appear to be completely unafraid of the big cat and right, the lion cub appears to be eyeing up its prey
The young cubs look like they were born to be siblings as they play fight (left) and frolic in the grass (right)
Staff at the park remarked on Twitter how while it's young, the lion cub looks more like a leopard in this photograph
Hug me! African Safari has a petting zoo where visitors can actually have their pictures taken with furry creature - for now
No photos please! The tiger cub appears to be rather camera shy here as it covers its face while lying on the floor
There are currently several sets of tiger and lion cubs at the park but this pair have struck up an unlikely friendship
These tiny creatures may still be small in the photographs but staff posted on Twitter that they are growing up fast
Entrance to the safari park costs 2,500 Yen (£18.09) for adults and 1,400 Yen (£10.13) for children, with additional charges for some areas
- These adorable images were taken by staff at African Safari in the Oita prefecture in southern Japan
- The cubs were born at the zoo earlier this year and their playful photographs were posted on Twitter
- Their animal instincts have clearly not kicked in as they are even pictured snuggling up to bunnies
Published: 11:25 GMT, 4 September 2016 | Updated: 00:13 GMT, 5 September 201
Big cats are not generally known for being friendly creatures but these adorable photographs show how a pair of newborn cubs have become the best of friends at a zoo in Japan.
The new arrivals, a lion and a tiger cub, are seen cuddling each other and play fighting like they were siblings.
They seem completely oblivious to their differences as they snooze side by side.
And it seems that their instincts have yet to kick in as they're even seen snuggling up to bunnies.
The furry creatures are pictured at African Safari, in Oita prefecture in the south of the country, where they were born earlier this year.
Staff from the zoo have been sharing images of the tiny cubs on Twitter, where thousands of users have since been cooing over the animals.
Scroll down for video
These adorable lion and tiger cubs were born at African Safari in the Oita prefecture of Japan earlier this year
Staff at the zoo have been sharing these adorable photographs over the last few weeks, making thousands of people coo over the images
The two cubs seem completely unaware that they're different species as they snuggle up against each other (left). Right, the lion cub falls asleep
The revealing images show how the animals have yet to gain their animal instincts. Above, the tiger cub snuggles up to a bunny at the zoo
Left, the curious tiger cub is seen sniffing the bunnies, who in turn appear to be completely unafraid of the big cat and right, the lion cub appears to be eyeing up its prey
The young cubs look like they were born to be siblings as they play fight (left) and frolic in the grass (right)
Staff at the park remarked on Twitter how while it's young, the lion cub looks more like a leopard in this photograph
Hug me! African Safari has a petting zoo where visitors can actually have their pictures taken with furry creature - for now
No photos please! The tiger cub appears to be rather camera shy here as it covers its face while lying on the floor
There are currently several sets of tiger and lion cubs at the park but this pair have struck up an unlikely friendship
These tiny creatures may still be small in the photographs but staff posted on Twitter that they are growing up fast
Entrance to the safari park costs 2,500 Yen (£18.09) for adults and 1,400 Yen (£10.13) for children, with additional charges for some areas
