It’s safe to say that America is a nation of animal lovers. Every week, internet users watch thousands of cat videos on YouTube [1]. They post pictures of their pets and create memes from animal encounters they read about online. They tune into TV shows like Cesar 911 and My Cat from Hell [2]. If it’s furry, fierce, funny, or ferocious, it’s bound to be a big hit.

So, what drives this fascination with the animal kingdom? Is it a positive phenomenon or is it an intense interest in wild animals that is harmful for their well being? Should there be more of a spotlight on certain species, especially considering how close many are to extinction? These are difficult questions, but it’s clear that the craving for animals is stronger than ever.

Keep reading to learn about the biggest animal stories and most searched animals in March 2017.