It is truly incredible that animals can form relationships and friendships, even with other species! You would think that since humans are the “smartest” animals on the planet, we would be the only ones – you would be wrong!
Just take a dog, for example.
Dogs may be the most socially-oriented animal that we regularly interact with. A dog has the ability to form bonds, relationships, and yes, even friendships with other animals (namely, humans). If friendship is just relationships that you have a preference for, most larger animals have the ability!
What makes things truly incredible is when they can be friends with a different species.
Humans are the ones who draw boundaries that make a certain animal fit into a certain species – animals are limited by that! A dog can make friends with another dog, a human, a cat, or a lion, all without any problems. In fact, the dogs who make friends with other animals often get famous for it!
That skill isn’t unique to dogs or humans, either.
One goat was recently filmed showing us how easy it is for animals to make friends. The baby goat was filmed saying hello to another farm animal and it isn’t another goat, it’s a horse! This goat weighs MAX around 40 lbs while a horse tops out around 1-2000 lbs. Size doesn’t seem to be a factor with this goaty little fella!
The baby walks up to the pen where the horse is and climbs up to say hello.
Without being spooked or worried, the horse calmly leans its head down and gives a horsey version of a handshake – a nose brush and sniff. The goat hops down from the pen and you can hear his little bells jingling around in the cutest way!
Standing up on his hind legs, the goat says hello back!
How do goats say hello, you ask? They headbutt!
Young goats headbutt to play and older goats are always headbutting to establish dominance. Just like with chickens, there is a “pecking order” with goats, and within the herd, every goat has its official status. – Wide Open Pets
Since this goat is still a baby, it’s clear that he is just wanted to play! It probably wouldn’t turn out in his favor if he tried to challenge the horses’ dominance!
It’s clear that the two have met before.
They seem to be friends and are happy to greet one another. It is INCREDIBLY cute to watch the little goat stand up and go in for another headbutt! Even when he lands one square on the horse’s jaw it doesn’t bother him too much, he’s just too big!
MOST animals have acquaintances but only a few species are capable of true friendship. This select group of mammals includes the higher primates, members of the horse family, elephants, cetaceans and camelids. It is no coincidence that all of these animals live in stable, bonded social groups. – New Scientist
These two are sure to be friends for years to come!
Check out the adorable video below!
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