is there something about humans that makes wild animals occasionally want to cuddle with us or get those sweet, sweet scritches? Do animals ever behave this way toward each other?

Question

Over the years, I’ve seen many videos of wild animals unexpectedly approaching humans with affectionate behavior. I’ve seen moray eels, fish in large aquariums, seals, whales, foxes, elephants, geese, deer, random birds, etc. approach people, not even to get help with our opposable thumbs for removing stuck nets or to help them with something, but just to cuddle with the person or to receive pets and scratches.

Is there something about humans that makes animals behave this way? Do animals ever approach other species with this kind of curious and affectionate behavior, even if infrequently?

In: 3

Answer 1

I also wonder if they look at our hands and think “those appendages would be great for scratching that itch I can’t reach”, and if there’s some way to test this bit of animal psychology.