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Without missing a beat, Sarah Hill, a radio host from Norfolk, Virginia, tweeted to her beloved Virginia Aquarium that the ball was in its court to up the ante on the cuteness factor, thus instigating the Twitter battle.

Your move @VAAquarium ;-) https://t.co/lhBwalpprO

— Sarah Hill (@SarahJanetHill) January 25, 2017

The aquarium boldly accepted.

@SarahJanetHill #challengeaccepted We see @NationalZoo 's seal pup, and raise an otter/osprey combo. pic.twitter.com/D9zDWXxuDb

— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017

The competition between the two was fierce and fast.

.@VAAquarium This is Redd, our endangered Bornean orangutan infant. And he is the cutest. Do you fold yet? #challengeaccepted pic.twitter.com/ED6WiZun1R

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017

@NationalZoo Don't worry, we're still here. pic.twitter.com/0Qm9dcvMD9

— Virginia Aquarium (@VAAquarium) January 25, 2017

.@VAAquarium Yawn. pic.twitter.com/szDSpmWnud

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) January 25, 2017

\"Yep, I instigated the hashtag,\" Hill proudly told ABC News. \"The National Zoo tweeted out a picture of their adorable new seal pup, and I thought, 'Oh, we have cuter seals than that here in Virginia.' So I tweeted it to our aquarium, and they ran with it. Then everyone else jumped on board because, really, who could turn down a cute critter competition?\"

Other zoos and aquariums across America noticed and wanted in on the adorable action, blowing up people's Twitter feeds with their most exotic, endearing animal pictures.

@SarahJanetHill @VLMuseum @BronxZoo @sandiegozoo @sfzoo @phillyzoo @PhoenixZoo @zoomiami We're always down for a #cuteanimaltweetoff! pic.twitter.com/hmkYOLBjrx

— Zoo Atlanta (@ZooATL) January 25, 2017

@SarahJanetHill @VLMuseum @sandiegozoo @ZooATL @sfzoo @phillyzoo @PhoenixZoo @zoomiami #cuteanimaltweetoff? Bam: an oldie but a goodie. pic.twitter.com/6kjrTXG9dl

— Bronx Zoo (@BronxZoo) January 25, 2017

Just chillin'! #cuteanimaltweetoff pic.twitter.com/zR4RPNq9tX

— Riverbanks Zoo (@RiverbanksZoo) January 26, 2017

Can't believe we almost missed the #CuteAnimalTweetOff! Thanks for letting us know @CabernetLvr! pic.twitter.com/9gTgyc5i9A

— Seattle Aquarium (@SeattleAquarium) January 25, 2017

Y'all, we might be late to the #cuteanimaltweetoff, but we have a strong contender. Meet Rowan! pic.twitter.com/2BxGS4s381

— Memphis Zoo (@MemphisZoo) January 26, 2017

Estrella is our #CuteAnimalTweetOff Star ?? pic.twitter.com/0FAj2f3bjG

— San Diego Zoo (@sandiegozoo) January 25, 2017

Our river #otters don't want to be left out of the #CuteAnimalTweetOff! pic.twitter.com/9WfXmsEtCt

— Seattle Aquarium (@SeattleAquarium) January 25, 2017

We're \"crashing\" this #cuteanimaltweetoff with baby Southern white rhino, Kipenzi! @NationalZoo @SarahJanetHill #tlpz pic.twitter.com/mJFbJt5ARJ

— Tampa'sLowryParkZoo (@LowryParkZoo) January 26, 2017

\"I am absolutely overwhelmed by the response,\" said Hill. \"It's so wonderful to take back Twitter for something positive. I thought maybe two or three zoos and/or aquariums would respond, but wow. I'm getting Twitter notifications from zoos around the world showing off their adorable residents. Best day ever.\"

The animal enthusiast said she hopes the #CuteAnimalTweetOff encourages people to \"support their local animal conservation, rescue and rehabilitation organizations.\"

And no, she's not sorry that her taunting tweet has spiraled into a movement that has collectively caused productivity to drop at workplaces around the world.

\"I mean, look how happy it's making people,\" she said.

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