Watch This Seal Snuggle Up with a Scuba Diver

Seals are known for their playful, outgoing, and sometimes quirky behavior. As this video proves, encounters with seals while diving are not uncommon. We’re sure this diver didn’t expect so much affection, but the big question is this: Are all seals this loving toward humans?

This Video Gives Seal Vibes

The interaction in this video is adorable, but don’t confuse affection with curiosity. Seals are curious creatures by nature. According to Deep Sea World, a seal’s personality can be as diverse as a human’s. They’re initially shy and might take a while to warm up until they become comfortable. When they’re familiar with someone, their playful nature is more pronounced.

This is the case for seals in captivity who see their handlers daily. These seals are more outgoing around humans and show more curiosity. In this video, a seal in the wild shows similar, unusual traits. This seal is curious and looks to show affection, but that might not be the case.

How Do Seals React to Humans?

Generally speaking, seals are not aggressive animals. They can be defensive while defending their young or if they feel threatened. Thankfully, none of these things happen in the video! If a seal feels threatened, it will typically run rather than fight. If a seal can’t escape, it will growl, wave its flippers, or occasionally bite.

In this video, the seal was drawn in by the diver’s flippers, movements, and voice. Seals explore humans and other animals with all their senses. They might nip at you, rub their whiskers against you, or even feel you with their flippers. This video is a good example of what happens when a seal’s natural curiosity takes over!

Why Divers Attract the Attention of Seals

Divers commonly attract the attention of seals, especially in the waters off the California coast. Bold seals sometimes perform underwater acrobatics around divers. A wet suit looks like any ocean-dwelling animal to a marine animal. Divers are sometimes mistaken for big fish or, in this case, potentially another seal.

A seal won’t be this affectionate even around other species of their kind. They gather for safety rather than social needs. While their colonies can include hundreds, seals are not known for friendly displays toward others. Their playful nature is the extent of socializing, so this diver is incredibly lucky! No one was panicked in this video, showing the innocence of this seal encounter. It’s an unusual but memorable interaction.