A lot of this might be neoteny, which often occurs with domesticated animals. There are various mechanisms by which this might occur. These younger looking ani

A lot of this might be neoteny, which often occurs with domesticated animals. There are various mechanisms by which this might occur. These younger looking animals will look less threatening, and might even have traits similar to human young (relatively larger eyes, etc.) So it might be more that cuteness is related to neoteny which is related to domestication and other situations where animals might be seen as less threatening. Definitely doesn’t answer the whole question though. > Often, juvenile behaviors are selected for in order to domesticate more easily a species; aggressiveness in certain species comes with adulthood when there is a need to compete for resources. If there is no need for competition, then there is no need for aggression. Selecting for juvenile behavioral characteristics can lead to neoteny in physical characteristics because, for example, with the reduced need for behaviors like aggression there is no need for developed traits that would help in that area. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoteny