Cute animal videos always seem to be flooding the internet. There doesn't seem to be a person in the world who wouldn't watch adorable creatures and critters cuddling up to humans or other animals of a different species.
Sometimes, these friendships can be as unlikely as a goat and a panda. Or maybe they are as natural as a lion and a kitten.
These incredible animal friendships aren't always just between animals. Humans have managed to sneak their way into being more than just acquainted with many different types of animals.
Now, obviously, you shouldn't attempt to approach a lion in the wild and think it is going to cuddle up with you.
Seeing this happen in the wild is something that is quite rare, as whoever is with the animals has most likely been with them since birth, to be a constant face they are seeing and not pose a threat.
Relationships like this are much more common when the animals are in captivity. This is also because they tend to see the same people over and over again.
The one problem with these animals, later on, is the idea of releasing them into an environment where they may be unable to look after themselves.
Animal planet took a look at one of these special relationships and found that they were even able to let visitors into the enclosure with a pride of lions.
It is also important to look at how some of these friendships develop in the wild when animals see humans or an animal of a different species and decide that they are not a threat.
This situation is something that has been recorded multiple times between two specific animals: a bear and a deer.
A man recorded a bear cub and a fawn meeting for the first time and the outcome was nothing less than adorable. The fact that both were babies may have contributed to the non lethal outcome that took place.
A playful relationship between bear cubs and wolf cubs has also been recorded a number of times.
So it seems that if there is any real lesson to take away from these animals, it is that bear cubs are sweet little animals are will most likely love you if you don't pose a threat. Again, that doesn't mean venture into the wild on the search for one because you'll most likely find its mother instead. In that case, you may be a part of a water fight.
These unlikely animal friendships help us not only learn more about nature and the animals who live there, but also about ourselves. Being trusted by another species this strongly says something about humans that many would disregard, but we are obviously a much more loving species than we think.
If you are interested in learning more about these encounters in nature, visit Nat Geo Wild to read stories and see pictures.
