Chloe, the wombat.

Chloe, an orphan at Taronga Zoo, has been described by her keeper as "very affectionate and a bit naughty". Her main interests include shoelaces and ambling.

Khaleesi and Alkira, the wallaby joeys
 

Khaleesi and Alkira.

Why do people assume that two oprhaned wallaby joeys living in the same zoo will have plenty to talk about? The pair at Taronga were a touch shy when they were first set up by keepers but eventually lost their inhibitions. 

Ghost bat pup
 

Ghost bat pup.

Diaphanous wings, an unusual facial structure, big ears - well, cuteness is in the eye of the beholder.

The Taronga zookeepers were initially reluctant to name the bat pup as it can be difficult to tell the sex of infants. But with parents named Celeste and Nocturne, we suggest Aurora and Dulcitone as leading candidates, no matter the gender. 

Sydney Seal
 

Sydney Seal.

Was Shakespeare a single man or a group operating under the one name?

The same kind of question could be directed at Sydney Seal, the ubiquitous sea mammal seen in all the right spots this year, from the Opera Bar to Bronte Beach. Sydney Seal enjoys sunshine and name-dropping. 

Marty, the porcupette
 

Marty, the porcupette.

There was no way this female baby porcupine at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle was going to get left behind by Hollywood A-listers like Pink, Rihanna and Kylie Jenner. Marty opted for discreet grey streaks to contrast with her electric blue eyes. 

Mia, the quokka
 

Mia, the quokka.

Nothing like a bit of grevillea to make a quokka's day. Mia, the youngest of the quokkas at Taronga, is reportedly a keen climber whose confidence is steadily building. 

Tree kangaroo
 

Tree kangaroo.

"Need - star-shaped - piece - of - watermelon - now!" This tree kangaroo was at full, furry stretch to get its paws on a juicy Christmas present. 

Pup 681, the sea otter
 

Sea otter pup.

Oh hello. What have we here? Just "Pup 681", a rescued five-week-old sea otter pup learning to swim at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Sumatran tiger cub
 

Sumatran tiger cub.

"You're a tiger! You're a tiger!" the photographer might have called, trying to coax more out of a subject firmly ensconced in its red bucket. The cub dangles its paw over the rim while giving a smoky stare into the mid-distance of its Kansas zoo.