Pictures That Show An Unlikely Bond Between Animals

Rabbit and Deer: Next Disney Movie?

Image Source / Bored PandaThis wild deer and wild rabbit were spotted sharing a cuddle by animal photographer Tanja Askani. The scene definitely looks like something straight out of a Disney movie, doesn't it? We don't blame the rabbit for huddling close to the deer for warmth, either!

Suryia The Orangutan And Roscoe The Dog

Image Source / Bored PandaThis pair of unlikely friends live in an endangered species reserve in the U.S. While Roscoe is definitely not an endangered species, he became Suryia's roommate when he followed her home one day and didn't have any place to go - so they've happily been living together ever since!

Kate The Great Dane And Her Friend Pippin the Deer

Image Source / Bored PandaMaybe drawn to Kate the dog's epic Great Dane size, Pippin - a baby deer at the time - was adopted by Kate and they became friends. After Pippin had grown up, she eventually moved back out into the wild - but that doesn't stop her from coming back to visit her adoptive mother, Kate!

Anjana The Chimpanzee And These Adorable Tiger Cubs

Image Source / Bored PandaWhen these two snow white tiger cubs were separated from their mom after a hurricane, they were taken in by an animal reserve in the U.S, and Anjana the chimpanzee wasted no time taking them under her wing. These tiger cubs actually aren't the first orphaned animals that the chimp has helped to raise, either!

Dog And Duck

Image Source / BRIGHT SIDEWe don't blame this duck for wanted to snuggle up to this adorable pooch. If you were going to make an unlikely friendship as an animal, a dog is always the best choice! This pup doesn't seem to mind their new best friend joining them for nap time - and the duck definitely doesn't seem to mind, either!

This Baby Bull And His Dog Bestie

Image Source / BRIGHT SIDEThe cutest thing about this pair is that they even match with their coat colours! And this baby bull is adorable. They say bulls don't like the colour red, but this one clearly has no problem with this dog's fluffy strawberry blonde coat! And the dog is happy to say hello.

These Horses And Their Dog Friend

Image Source / BRIGHT SIDEApparently these horses come to say hello to this dog and its owner during their walks, and we don't blame them when this pup is so cute. They're good friends enough even to share a boop, and it looks like the horse is a momma with its baby - as well as the dog looking like a puppy, too!

Cow And Chicken

Image Source / BRIGHT SIDESurely if there's anything to make you go vegetarian, it's this picture of an adorable cow cuddling their chicken friend. The cow even has the cutest bandana on. Maybe an extra pillow for the chicken when it wants a hug? They seem to trust each other, anyway.

Barclay The Golden Retriever And Rudy The Duck

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaBarclay the golden retriever actually shares a home with not one, but two ducks, called Rudy and Pippi. Here Barclay the dog is pictured with Rudy who was trying to wake him after a nap. And Barclay doesn't seem to mind having his sleep disturbed - he's probably used to it with two ducks!

This Family Of Otters With Their Extended Family: Orangutans!

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaInside this zoo in Belgium is a family of otters which live in a river inside the orangutan part of the zoo. The otters approached the orangutans and struck up a bond with two of the orangutans, Uijan and Sari. Now both species have made their families even bigger!

The Sheep That Helped This Rhino Overcome Its Depression

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaAt this zoo in Bangladesh, female rhino Kanchi became depressed after she lost her male partner. The zoo wanted to bring in a new companion to cheer her up, so they introduced this sheep, and the pair hit it off. They spent five years by each other's side.

A Baby Goat Finds A New Mother In This St. Bernard

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaAfter this baby goat's mother died, it ended up forming an unlikely friendship with two St. Bernard dogs. The owner of the dogs, who lives in Belgium, adopted the goat and introduced it to their two dogs, Julie and Basiel. Happily, they all hit it off, and the baby goat - Hans - found a new family.

These Birds Find The Perfect Sunbathing Spot On This Buffalo's Head

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaOut in the wilds of Kenya, you've got to do what you can to survive if you're an animal - and what better place as a bird to perch on the head of a huge buffalo with big horns? Birds and buffalo are often best pals because birds like to sit on the buffalo to feed off fleas or lice - so it's a win win for both, really.

A Rat And A Cat

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaDid you know that rats can actually make great friends for kittens? This cat adoption café in Brooklyn has rats that keep kittens company while they're waiting to be adopted. It all started when a cat had to be separated from the rest of the kitties due to a disease, and because rats couldn't catch this specific disease, one was brought it to provide companionship - and it worked!

This German Shepherd And Baby Tiger

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaDogs make excellent friends for wild animals, and especially baby ones. This animal shelter in Miami has lots of wild animals like leopards and lions, and the owners of the shelter let their German Shepherd, Igor, interact with all the animals and form lasting friendships!

Dog And Leopard Pals

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaApparently the reason that dogs and leopards get along so well is because they have very similar social structures as well as similar characters - and this pair just prove why that friendship works! They also have a similar length of life which means they can often make friends as pups and grow up together.

These Two Retriever Puppies And Their Tiger Cub Friend

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaThe golden retriever mother of these two pups actually milked this tiger cub as well as her own pups, which is why their bond is so special. The mother actually milked a lot of wild animals who were abandoned by their own mothers, which included this snow white tiger cub.

This Doggy And Deer

Image Source / Business Insider South AfricaThere's something very special about the friendship between a dog and deer, and this isn't the first pair from each species to make that bond. Dogs and deers can actually be lifetime pals, and especially if the dog is looking after a baby deer that has been abandoned or lost its mother.Image Source / Bored PandaThis dog would definitely have to be careful not to catch itself on its spiky friend! Apparently this dog and hedgehog have such a good friendship because both species are actually social animals (did you know hedgehogs were social?). There's also a lot of warm sensations being exchanged with being close to each other, which apparently both species are fans of.

Bubbles The African Elephant And Her Friend Bella The Labrador

Image Source / Bored PandaThis pair look like a circus act! And apparently Bella the dog has found the perfect spot to take in the sights: on the back of her elephant friend, Bubbles. The elephant was brought to a reserve after being rescued from poachers, while Bella belonged to a contractor for the safari park. The pair hit it off!

Bea The Giraffe And Wilma The Ostrich

Image Source / Bored PandaMaybe these two became such good friends swapping stories about having long necks? This giraffe and ostrich, Bea and Wilma, are both in Busch Gardens in the USA, where they actually share an enclosure together. Because the enclosure is so big, the only reason they'd wander that close to each other is because they actually want to!

Tinni The Dog And Sniffer The Fox

Image Source / Bored PandaTinni the dog first met Sniffer as a wild fox in the forests of Norway (is there a more romantic meeting spot?). Instead of staying clear of each other, the pair struck up a friendship and the dog's owner returns to the forest so that the pair can play together during walks!

Torque The Dog And... Who?

Image Source / Bored PandaTorque the dog decided to adopt his new best pal, Shrek the owl, when Shrek was only a little chick and Torque was only a 6 month old pup. The owl had to be removed from the care of its mother due to risks of her eating him! So Torque took over, and the pair are inseparable.

Fred The Labrador And Dennis The Duckling

Image Source / Bored PandaWe have to admit Fred looks 100% done in this photo, so maybe Dennis sitting on his head is a regular thing. Regardless, the pair have been best friends since Dennis was rescued as a duckling after his mother had been caught by a fox. Fred has also adopted a baby deer in the past, too!

Mabel The Chicken And These Cute Little Puppies

Image Source / Bored PandaMabel was moved into her owner's house after a foot injury - the same house where the owner had just got some cute little puppies. Mabel immediately took to roosting on the puppies in their basket to keep them warm, while the puppies' mother is more than happy to let her do it!

Milo The Dog And The King Of The Jungle

Image Source / Bored PandaThe size difference between this pair of friends is even bigger when you see Milo is only a tiny little Dachshund up against the huge lion named Bonedigger. You'd be scared about the lion accidentally stepping on Milo, wouldn't you! But they both seem content to lie down and snuggle instead.

This Kitty And Its Wild Fox Friend

Image Source / Bored PandaThis cat sure looks happy to be nuzzling up to its new best friend - this wild fox! This very random friendship was spotted on the shore of Lake Van in Turkey, by some fisherman there. Apparently the pair can be seen playing together, but not much else is known about this mysterious friendship!

Shere Khan, Baloo And Leo The Lion

Image Source / Bored PandaLike something right out of the Jungle Book, this friendship is not only surprising because of the three different species, but also the idea that Baloo the bear and Shere Khan could be friends! These three actually had a tragic start with a drug dealer who abused them. They were luckily rescued together, and the three of them are now the best of friends in an animal sanctuary in the US.

Candy The Dog And Manni The Piglet

Image Source / Bored PandaIs there anything more adorable than a tiny dog being friends with a tiny piglet? Manni the wild boar piglet was found in need of rescue in a field in Germany by a family who brought her home to meet their terrier, Candy. The two became fast friends and Manni has made a great recovery!

Kasi The Cheetah And Her Labrador Bud

Image Source / Bored PandaThis is actually a photo of Kasi the cheetah and Mtani the Labrador from when they were young, before being raised together at Busch Gardens in the USA. After being firm friends as youngsters, this pair ended up staying friends after growing up. Kasi began being more interested in female cheetahs - understandably - but still visits Mtani to catch up.