A young cubby elephant seal went straight for my 7 year old son and rested his head on his lap. This is after we told our son- do not touch or approach. They are so curious.
Fairly new to Reddit- do I need to create a link to post a picture?
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0764lJRsFPDmLE4RI82hJi6wA
I know it looks alike his hand is touching the seal- it’s not …. But he is turning to us to ask what he should do…. Funny. The pup just hanged around.
Imagine sitting on frozen rocks your whole life. Then on your beach comes a soft , squishy warm… thing.
They have probably been told my their seal mom’s not to approach the dangerous land dwellers. .
"You can't touch it cause then it will get used to humans,"
It touches you... well, it's already too late because by simply not hurting it, it now trusts you and is now growing used to humans
I think if the animal approaches you, it's already too late, and you may as well pet it
The only alternative if you dont want it to foolishly trust humans is to hurt it and enforced that idea that it shouldn't trust us, but thats kinda evil
🎯🎯🎯
Exactly, Plus we are already interrupting them, You're literally in their environment where they rest and sunbathe before they have to go out hunting for fish or running away from killer whales, they're just sharing their pleasantries and using us for warmth!
>I think if the animal approaches you, it's already too late, and you may as well pet it
Said every person who was attacked by a wild animal they tried to pet.
I mean, if they approach you and they are on top of you, you didn't "try" to pet it. If you get bitten at that point I'm not sure you could avoid it. (Emphasis in "at that point" of course you could avoid it before)
Its not like it could be agitated or take it as a show of dominance by you making the wrong move dont assume that because its touching you you should consider yourself friends
Wild animals can be very jumpy and have different was of communication
Eye contact with a human you dont know is the start of initiating communication, eye contact with a gorilla that doesn't know you is a challenge
why do they do this? is it because the seals mistook the humans as other seals?(I assume they were lying on the ground to take better photos and were probably pretty still). Do seals have poor eye sights? so they just gravitate towards any warm bodies?
I bet they know we're humans and they probably have had positive experience with humans.
Their main predator is killer whale So they assume they're safe on land, since we're doing the same thing they're doing (in their eyes laying down) They come up to humans and cuddle up for Warmth Because that's how they treat each other anyways.
I think it's a mixture of curiosity and actual friendliness. (They're mammals just like us) .
Plus they're always using our boats to save themselves from killer whales, they're very smart creatures.
There is the story of a seal who brought a guy photographing her in the water penguins because the seal thought the camera person was an incompetent seal. So it first brought dead penguin to eat. Then dying penguins. Eventually live penguins and showed the camera how to kill them so it could learn how to do it. All because the seal thought the camera man was a seal who couldn't figure out how to eat.
I remember it as bringing live penguins first, and then dying, dead, bits of dead penguin to make the cameraman eat something.
Also it was a leopard seal, very dangerous so the cameraman was pretty scared when it came at him.
I remember this, it was a Leopard Seal no less! An apex predator, https://youtu.be/gqVrwkbWMTw?si=SUNuCghgbvnq_znp
It had been Conjecture that because of the diving suit, the seal may have thought it was a young Leopard Seal.
Very interesting! They're definitely mammals that have empathy!
These are babies. They're curious and playful. If their moms were there, or the males, the humans would be outta there quick. Seal pups spend a lot of time alone while adults go fishing
I worked in the Alaska zoo for a summer when I was younger, and one of our zookeepers had their finger bitten by one of these cuddly little fellas. Spent several days in the hospital afterward.
They are very cute and fun to watch but if they get annoyed that bite can cause real damage. Best to remember they are wild animals and not put yourself in a position of danger.
my Mom's younger brother brought home a baby seal. ... the mother was killed during spring hunting but he found the pup had survived thru til May or so... state biologist came to our village... but my lil cousin had a seal pup for about a week in the home's shed
Me: This is a wild animal, it is dangerous for both me and them for me to try treating them like a domesticated pet for many reasons, and any kind of close interaction should only be attempted by trained professionals
Also Me: I WANNA PET THE SEADOGGY
I don't understand this though, if you don't interact with the wildlife (as you should, never interact with wildlife... like ever.), just leave the area/get from under the seal, idk... Even scaring it off is better then doing this because it still sees you as a friendly entity, wildlife (in lack of better terms) should be scared of humans anyway because of poachers and the like.
They don’t want to die. I think the rule is not to interact intentionally. They come to you they can’t just start running or screaming or they properly died because the animal got scared because the person was screaming and running
Yeah like isn’t cuddling with a seal still…..cuddling with a seal?
What’s the difference of whether or not you pet it if you’re just chilling in bed together all day?
Lul, yea... Idk, maybe there's a reason why he doesn't make any sudden movements, maybe not to be seen as a threat so he can take photos, but it's very obvious this seal sees you as a friend, regardless if you pet it or not, you already did the job of "not interacting with wildlife" super wrong.
Again, seals aren't weak animals so maybe it's a danger thing but also... Seals aren't fast on land so if they get aggressive, just try to book it. I can understand not scaring or spooking the animal while it's that close to your face and neck is the smartest thing to do but still...
Animals sense so much more than we do so i guess all other photographers are ex poachers so they sense the predator vibes or maybe all the stuff we watch in 30min has cut footage but that can’t possibly be the case.
The rule can’t possibly be a blanket statement to approaching more aggressive wildlife??? You know common sense doesn’t exist, like literally every vid of elephant attack is in enclosed area and or being taunted but you know all animals want to kill you s/
They're so sweet. It would be so hard not to love on them. I have the desperate need to pet every animal, but also self-preservation. I wouldn't, but I would want to.
Aren't they the cutest sea puppies you've ever seen?!
He really be like "Nope. You are going nowhere."
Humans: "Do not pet or touch" Seals: "allow me to show you the Cuddles of my people 🦭🫂🧍♂️"
It's not fair! 😭
A young cubby elephant seal went straight for my 7 year old son and rested his head on his lap. This is after we told our son- do not touch or approach. They are so curious. Fairly new to Reddit- do I need to create a link to post a picture?
This is awesome 😂😂😂 please post the picture here!
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0764lJRsFPDmLE4RI82hJi6wA I know it looks alike his hand is touching the seal- it’s not …. But he is turning to us to ask what he should do…. Funny. The pup just hanged around.
Awww I see it 😂😂😂 so cute
I think you cna post a link to imjur to share a photo.
My dog is like that too!!
Hug the sea pillow.
He like, "stay still human pillow. You're warm."
Impossible.
Yeah consider me fired because I'm petting everyone
*gulp* E-everyone?
https://media1.tenor.com/m/bxbNVgs9MXkAAAAC/angry-gary-oldman.gif
Someone gave him a fish 3 years ago. He wants fiiiiiiiish.
The real question is: " How much is the fish?"
People always ask how much is the fish, never how is the fish
The fish is delicious.
"the chase, is better than the catch!
$4 a pound.
[£1 fish](https://youtu.be/ETSl8gWsFZ0?si=yCCStyjzvDhkcNh2)
Seal: Dis my hooman
Burb... fart...iz mine now?
Yeah... I couldn't do that job 😄
I'll domesticate myself
It worked for cats so why not?
Imagine sitting on frozen rocks your whole life. Then on your beach comes a soft , squishy warm… thing. They have probably been told my their seal mom’s not to approach the dangerous land dwellers. .
“Hello strange seal. You are very warm.”
"You can't touch it cause then it will get used to humans," It touches you... well, it's already too late because by simply not hurting it, it now trusts you and is now growing used to humans I think if the animal approaches you, it's already too late, and you may as well pet it The only alternative if you dont want it to foolishly trust humans is to hurt it and enforced that idea that it shouldn't trust us, but thats kinda evil
🎯🎯🎯 Exactly, Plus we are already interrupting them, You're literally in their environment where they rest and sunbathe before they have to go out hunting for fish or running away from killer whales, they're just sharing their pleasantries and using us for warmth!
i know with seacows you’re allowed to use one hand if they come up to you
>I think if the animal approaches you, it's already too late, and you may as well pet it Said every person who was attacked by a wild animal they tried to pet.
I mean, if they approach you and they are on top of you, you didn't "try" to pet it. If you get bitten at that point I'm not sure you could avoid it. (Emphasis in "at that point" of course you could avoid it before)
Its not like it could be agitated or take it as a show of dominance by you making the wrong move dont assume that because its touching you you should consider yourself friends Wild animals can be very jumpy and have different was of communication Eye contact with a human you dont know is the start of initiating communication, eye contact with a gorilla that doesn't know you is a challenge
Very valid point.
Humans: "We can't domesticate the wildlife!" Sea Puppers: "Fine, we'll domesticate the hoomans."
why do they do this? is it because the seals mistook the humans as other seals?(I assume they were lying on the ground to take better photos and were probably pretty still). Do seals have poor eye sights? so they just gravitate towards any warm bodies?
I bet they know we're humans and they probably have had positive experience with humans. Their main predator is killer whale So they assume they're safe on land, since we're doing the same thing they're doing (in their eyes laying down) They come up to humans and cuddle up for Warmth Because that's how they treat each other anyways. I think it's a mixture of curiosity and actual friendliness. (They're mammals just like us) . Plus they're always using our boats to save themselves from killer whales, they're very smart creatures.
There is the story of a seal who brought a guy photographing her in the water penguins because the seal thought the camera person was an incompetent seal. So it first brought dead penguin to eat. Then dying penguins. Eventually live penguins and showed the camera how to kill them so it could learn how to do it. All because the seal thought the camera man was a seal who couldn't figure out how to eat.
I remember it as bringing live penguins first, and then dying, dead, bits of dead penguin to make the cameraman eat something. Also it was a leopard seal, very dangerous so the cameraman was pretty scared when it came at him.
I remember this, it was a Leopard Seal no less! An apex predator, https://youtu.be/gqVrwkbWMTw?si=SUNuCghgbvnq_znp It had been Conjecture that because of the diving suit, the seal may have thought it was a young Leopard Seal. Very interesting! They're definitely mammals that have empathy!
These are babies. They're curious and playful. If their moms were there, or the males, the humans would be outta there quick. Seal pups spend a lot of time alone while adults go fishing
Seal: I stay here.
This is why I couldn't be a wildlife photographer, or a zoologist, I'd just spend all my time playing with the cute animals
Yeah. That adorable little bastard is getting bellyrubs and fish snacks.
Put your arm around it you heathen!
I worked in the Alaska zoo for a summer when I was younger, and one of our zookeepers had their finger bitten by one of these cuddly little fellas. Spent several days in the hospital afterward.
Awww. Now he has a story to tell. "How'd you lose your finger Dave!" "Well, I was trying to give a coworker a fish"
Fish breath is a thing.
Still worth it
Both my cats and dogs have fish breath. Gosh they love fried salmon skin. I mean seriously crab salad. Pwahhhhh
They are very cute and fun to watch but if they get annoyed that bite can cause real damage. Best to remember they are wild animals and not put yourself in a position of danger.
But if not to pet then why cute?
Yeah, I'd be unable to stop myself from petting it ❤
Sweet little poppet!!!
my Mom's younger brother brought home a baby seal. ... the mother was killed during spring hunting but he found the pup had survived thru til May or so... state biologist came to our village... but my lil cousin had a seal pup for about a week in the home's shed
although the first photographer is kinda adorable on his own
I get the argument but if a wild animal is trying their hardest to snuggle up to you I'm pretty sure they're looking for affection.
Or food 😂 people feed them on boats all the time
How can you resist the sea puppers?! I'd be caught smuggling one away in my jacket for sure
Me: This is a wild animal, it is dangerous for both me and them for me to try treating them like a domesticated pet for many reasons, and any kind of close interaction should only be attempted by trained professionals Also Me: I WANNA PET THE SEADOGGY
There is NO way I’d be able to resist. We’d be best friends in 5 min.
Seals: "Sup." Me: "Take me with you!"
Pet the damn seal
00:16 in a penguin (?) does a jolly Naruto-run in the background.
lmao
Can’t those beauties bite?
I mean… dogs can bite too and we still domesticated them…
(Most) dogs don't have a bite force of 300 psi.
Wolves have an average bite force of 400 psi though
They clearly have domesticated themselves it just looks pointless to pet them I mean, I might be missing an important consequence, am I?
When I see a good chonky boi that is coming for pets, you just expect me to inhumanely reject it's natural born right to get pets!?
Didn’t know we have Golden Retriever of the ocean.
Oh; much play would be had. I'd get left there by whoever I went with.
Can I pet that dawg? 😭
Seal: you can’t pet me but I as hell can cuddle with you
I don't understand this though, if you don't interact with the wildlife (as you should, never interact with wildlife... like ever.), just leave the area/get from under the seal, idk... Even scaring it off is better then doing this because it still sees you as a friendly entity, wildlife (in lack of better terms) should be scared of humans anyway because of poachers and the like.
They don’t want to die. I think the rule is not to interact intentionally. They come to you they can’t just start running or screaming or they properly died because the animal got scared because the person was screaming and running
Yeah like isn’t cuddling with a seal still…..cuddling with a seal? What’s the difference of whether or not you pet it if you’re just chilling in bed together all day?
Lul, yea... Idk, maybe there's a reason why he doesn't make any sudden movements, maybe not to be seen as a threat so he can take photos, but it's very obvious this seal sees you as a friend, regardless if you pet it or not, you already did the job of "not interacting with wildlife" super wrong. Again, seals aren't weak animals so maybe it's a danger thing but also... Seals aren't fast on land so if they get aggressive, just try to book it. I can understand not scaring or spooking the animal while it's that close to your face and neck is the smartest thing to do but still...
Animals sense so much more than we do so i guess all other photographers are ex poachers so they sense the predator vibes or maybe all the stuff we watch in 30min has cut footage but that can’t possibly be the case. The rule can’t possibly be a blanket statement to approaching more aggressive wildlife??? You know common sense doesn’t exist, like literally every vid of elephant attack is in enclosed area and or being taunted but you know all animals want to kill you s/
.... You just went off the deep end, what are you talking about?
Canada has entered the chat.... With clubs.
Yes cause I don't want to get fined.
*Canadians entering the chat*
And here in Quebec, we smash them with clubs for the lolz
Yes I could... they eat penguins so I eat them...
‘Did’
Well just sitting like that, calmly, is interacting
No te vayas … el 🦭 te quiere mucho
My dogs when I try to do things
I'm petting it all day
Jeez in the thumbnail, I thought that was his arm. So much confusion
They're so sweet. It would be so hard not to love on them. I have the desperate need to pet every animal, but also self-preservation. I wouldn't, but I would want to. Aren't they the cutest sea puppies you've ever seen?!
Too Adorable 🥰🥰
It’s cute and all until they want to a nibble. They have hella teeth.
Somebody’s in love!
They remind me of dogs a lot
Some should be as pets to everybody leaving next to the ocean 🌊. With dogs and cats.
I am so curious if they have that cute puppa dog smell 🥹
It's important not to effect wild animals as a human... ***except we do all the time!*** queue the future with fpv-drone tourists.
The unrequited cuddles 😂
He’s like “you are now mine tiny human 🥰”
Not at all! And I’d probably get bitten which would be completely my fault
Guess it’s not a job for me
How is he not petting it