Top 13 Wild Animals That Are Friendly to Humans

Wild animals have different behaviours and appearances. Some might look large and intimidating, while others might just be friendly towards humans.

There are also some animals that look dangerous but are harmless to humans and other animals.

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In this article, we will look at the top 13 wild animals that are friendly to humans.

The Top 13 Wild Animals That Are Friendly to Humans

1. Capybaras

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Scientific Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Topping this list is the capybara, a large rodent that is known for its calm nature. Capybaras are often referred to as the friendliest wild animals on Earth.

These large, semi-aquatic rodents are native to South America, where they live in savannas and dense forests. You will also find them near bodies of water.

Although I provided a photo of the capybara in this article, I will still describe them. They can be identified by their reddish-brown fur and short head.

A fully grown adult capybara can grow to 3.48 to 4.40 ft in length and stand 20 to 24 in tall.

Capybaras pose no threat to humans; in fact, they get along well with humans and other animals.

Another factor that contributes to a capybara’s calm nature is their feeding habit. They are herbivores that prefer grasses, aquatic plants, and occasionally fruit and tree bark.

2. Dolphins

Family: Delphinidae

Dolphins have been known to be friendly towards humans. They are known to be intelligent and playful.

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Dolphins are highly social animals and prefer to live in groups of up to a dozen individuals. In the open waters, they engage in acrobatic displays and even allow humans to touch them.

There have been reports of dolphins protecting swimmers from sharks in the water. They do this by swimming in circles around the swimmers or trying to make the shark go a different direction.

Dolphins have many ways of being playful in the water. They can leap above the water surface and produce self-made bubble rings.

3. Manatees

Genus: Trichechus

Manatees are also known as sea cows. They are incredibly gentle and curious creatures.

These slow-moving marine mammals are known to come closer to divers and swimmers in the water. Sometimes humans can also touch them and pet them.

Manatees are herbivores, and their diet is made up of different freshwater and saltwater plants.

If you see manatees while swimming, you should not be worried because they pose no threat to humans.

These large sea creatures are found in shallow and marshy areas of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Amazon basin, and West Africa.

4. Beluga Whales

Scientific Name: Delphinapterus leucas

Beluga Whales have the number four spot. They are also known as the white whale because of their unique appearance.

These whales are highly social and friendly towards humans.

Beluga Whales are native to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. You can identify them by their round body and extended forehead.

Just like manatees, beluga whales are curious towards humans. They might approach boats or swim alongside them in the open sea.

5. Quokkas

Scientific Name: Setonix brachyurus

Quokkas are small marsupials that are native to Australia. They are often referred to as the “happiest animals on Earth” due to their smiling faces.

Quokkas are friendly towards humans, and due to their curious nature, they might approach humans for food and attention.

An average quokka can reach 40 to 54 cm (16 to 21 in) in length. Some people might describe them as looking like a small kangaroo.

On Rottnest Island, where there is a high population of quokkas, they are known to approach people closely.

6. Horses

Scientific Name: Equus ferus caballus

Horses have been friendly towards humans since the old days. They are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and gentle nature.

The interaction between horses and humans goes back to around 4000 BCE, and it became widespread by 3000 BCE. This widespread adaptation of horses is because of their ability to cover long distances and pull carts.

Horses have also been known to form strong bonds with their human caretakers. They can be calm when handled by people they are familiar with, which is really cool.

7. Bonobos

Scientific Name: Pan paniscus

Bonobos are also referred to as pygmy chimpanzees. Although Bonobos look similar to chimpanzees, they are more peaceful and cooperative.

They can be differentiated from common chimpanzees by their long limbs, pinker lips and darker face.

Bonobos are native to Central Africa, where they live around the Congo River and north of the Kasai River.

They are peaceful, friendly, and highly social animals that live in matriarchal groups. This means a female is the dominant leader of the group.

In groups, they are known to bond with each other and exhibit cooperative behaviour. Bonobos tend to engage in playful interactions with humans.

8. Deer

Family: Cervidae

Deers are wild animals that can be friendly to humans. Although they are shy and cautious in the wild as a means of survival, they can become attached to humans.

This is possible when they are frequently exposed to humans and when humans help them out. Deer raised in sanctuaries, farms, or controlled environments allow humans to pet and even hand-feed them.

9. Elephants

Family: Elephantidae

Elephants are large mammals that look intimidating from a close distance. These animals are intelligent and have a gentle nature.

Over the years, humans have interacted with elephants for different purposes like work and even entertainment. For example, elephants are part of zoos and circuses around the world.

Elephants are known to show kindness towards humans, but they can also exhibit aggressive behaviour.

10. Capuchin Monkey

Family: Cebidae

Capuchin monkeys are kind of popular due to their appearance in movies and television shows. They are among the most intelligent primates.

Capuchin monkeys are native to tropical forests in Central America and South America. They prefer forested areas that allow them to move from tree to tree.

These intelligent primates are also known as greyhound jockeys or monkey jockeys. This is because they can be trained to ride racing dogs for sport.

11. Guinea Pigs

Scientific Name: Cavia porcellus

Guinea pigs are small rodents that look adorable. They are known for their friendly and gentle nature.

Since guinea pigs are kept as pets, they can get very attached to their caretakers. They are also known to make repeated hops when they are excited.

12. Red Pandas

Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens

Another friendly animal on this list is the Red Panda. This animal is a small, tree-dwelling mammal that is native to the Himalayas and southwestern China.

They also have a unique appearance that is made up of a coat of red or orange-brown and a black belly and legs. Some parts of their face, like the muzzle, cheeks, brows and inner ear, are mostly white.

Although red pandas are shy and solitary animals, so they might choose to avoid human contact in the wild. In places like zoos or wildlife sanctuaries, red pandas may be more friendly towards humans.

13. Rabbits

Family: Leporidae

Another animal that makes it to the friendly list is the rabbit, also known as the bunny. They can be identified by their big ears and cute faces.

Rabbits are playful and social animals that enjoy human company. They have been human companions since the old days.

They are known to hop from place to place with their powerful hind legs. This ability makes people compare them to kangaroos.

Conclusion

Many animals are known to be friendly and try as much as possible to avoid confrontation. In this article, we have listed the wild animals that are friendly to humans.

These animals include elephants, manatees, dolphins, quokkas, capybaras, horses and others. Even though these animals are playful and sometimes calm, most wild animals should not be kept as pets.

FAQs

Are all wild animals dangerous to humans?

Not all animals that are considered wild are dangerous to humans. Many wild animals, like the ones mentioned in this article, are known for their friendly and curious nature towards humans.

Why are dolphins considered friendly?

Dolphins are considered friendly because of their playful behaviour, intelligence, and their tendency to interact with humans. They have been known to help humans in distress and often approach boats and swimmers.

Louis Ojibe

Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.