Scuba Diver handling Moray Eel, it enjoys it .....................

Scuba Diver playing with wild moray eel and it enjoys the encounter.

[@kongfeet81]

gives eel neck rubs *ITS WHOLE BODY IS NECK*

[@zanemastus812]

necc

[@phir9255]

Snakes and eels do have neck and tail regions, not sure about where the neck ends but the tail begins at the cloaca.

[@kongfeet81]

@@phir9255 I figured as much but it’s still funny

[@pantheracheaxb747]

Valid reason to pet the entire 'neck' with both hands.

[@ansuz5903]

@@phir9255 neck ends at the shoulders obviously

[@kristyandesouza5980]

Nature: genuinly terrifying creature Human: PET

[@branchie8979]

Hey It’s not our fault they all love it

[@99shoebox]

I thought it was rather beautiful.

[@tigertoxins584]

have you even seen gengis moths or deep sea eels?

[@RuskySevmor]

It kinda looks cool than terrifying

[@masterdisaster1522]

@@tigertoxins584 ya

[@Gotofy105]

I don’t know what’s weirder the fact that someone wanted to touch a fish that essentially is a tube with a mouth full of broken glass, or the fact that said tube enjoyed being touched!

[@JazzyW-sv1xj]

Okay your description of the eel made me crack up 😂

[@arablues4142]

For f#ck sake stop being racist, It's a hose, not a tube, there's a difference

[@nagoogle8542]

SAID TUBE

[@Sihgilanu]

we're not much better, you know... we breath largely inert gas, but specifically for the corrosive part our saliva could probably make anything we bit go into toxic shock if they actually survived we go out of our way to upend entire ecosystems just so we can build homes we dig massive pits for stone, and have absolutely gigantic machines that roll themselves up the spiralling path, powered by million-years old compressed bacteria we regularly travel hundreds of miles a day to perform a task (that, at this point, only abstractly helps our community - at best...) in similar heavy metal boxes we developed a weapon that hits you before you can even hear it! not to mention the fact that some variants of the projectile explode *inside* of you! our kind is known to be murderers, kin-killers, thieves, and some of those rise to positions of power! we hunt for sport! we kill because we can! should we really be asking why someone is willing to pet a tube with broken glass for teeth? or should we ask, instead, why the eel is willing to be pet by us, the real life equivalent of space orks? to which the answer is, of course, because it hasn't heard the news.

[@Gotofy105]

@@Sihgilanu oh look at Dr. Smartass over here.

[@louisbowels6858]

I like how our paradigm as a species has gone from "I gotta eat that" to "I gotta pet that"

[@moomoo-bv3ig]

I imagine its that way because that is how men came to understand women. Now he tries the pets with everything

[@StarSailor1343]

Redemption arc

[@allent1152]

​@@StarSailor1343 we literally have to eat animals too live and even moreso in the past. You dont need redemption when youve done nothing wrong.

[@StarSailor1343]

@@allent1152 vegans. Your move

[@telmobrito519]

@@StarSailor1343 you need lab grown supplement in 99 % of people for this diet to be non-fatal and it will still be impossible for a part of the population, i wouldnt call that a solution, except maybe if you are also a eugenist.

[@rithrius5384]

_"Frank, you only have 2 minutes of oxygen left!"_ _"Tell my wife i loved her."_

[@mikeratomn3475]

As I pet this eel

[@atop7573]

Ah yes he loved her, now he loves the eel

[@Monsterthatsunderyourbed]

"Tell my wife...I tolerated her and that hellspawn she birthed for too long"

[@jinx1987]

@@Monsterthatsunderyourbed goddamn, savage! 😂

[@Sumschmuck]

SHE KNOWS!

[@fathergabrielstokes4706]

This is where it starts. Soon, you'll see people walking their eels at the park

[@Mediados]

When evolution kicks in and they grow limbs that could work

[@mimisimatic5387]

That would be something to see …… too funny 😁🤣😁 !!!

[@sealevel5961]

Not an Eel but perhaps a catfish.

[@syl3838]

@@sealevel5961 Lol, a guy already did that😂

[@shatner99]

Comfort eel on the skytrain-big transparent backpack.

[@SirArturia]

I once read in a book that "most animals, domesticated or not, enjoy being pet by humans because it's a sensation they rarely, if ever, get to experience from any other animal." I wasn't sure about the validity of that statement until I saw this video.

[@miramitchell3258]

Well that’s certainly helpful considering the seemingly universal human instinct to pet anything and everything that moves

[@milesmouse72]

physical contact is very often a good sensation for most animals..even sharks and fish enjoy this from time to time...

[@mtango9985]

Yes because love and creation is the universal law The world turns to sh#t because humans disobey this laws

[@braedenmclean5304]

I always assumed animals enjoyed it because it sort of mimics a form or grooming that animals do to bond and stuff

[@josephd.5524]

As a counter argument, I offer one word; Hippopotamus

[@sillyscribbles3]

I came into this video knowing this guy was going pet a moray eel. I also came in knowing that morays have been known to be docile with humans and sometimes like being pet. And even with this eel enjoying the attention, seeing the diver do it with his bare fingies nearly gave me a heart attack. This man has balls of tungsten.

[@Volyren]

Its just risk/reward. The risk is needing a bandaid. Stitch, tops. The reward is giving scritches to satan's fl*shlight. Theres a mountain lion that naps on my deck once or twice a month. No, I don't feed him or go out there, but the call of 'pet the danger' is too strong. The sliding glass door locks freely in position. So, just enough for 2 fingers. That was *my* risk/reward calculation. But he seems chill and friendly with me. Loves chin scratchies. He puckers up and its adorable. Then.... he returns the affection. And I need ointment. He doesn't have a sandpaper tongue. He has a bed of needles. 3 licks, and blood is welling. But, if I don't let him lick me, he gives me kitty guilt trip stares through the glass until i break. I just keep neosporin by the door now, in case he drops by. He's a good reminder that even affection can be dangerous, and seeing the pursed lips and that harley davidson purr is worth a few layers of skin. But thats it. I wouldn't let him inside. Even though I'm 100% certain he wouldn't attack me, if he made biscuits in my lap, i'd need to go to the hospital.

[@marcusbullock630]

Morays can sever fingers.

[@jkg6211]

​@@Volyren "Band-Aid...stitches tops". Dude - Moray have been know to remove fingers... and worse. Much worse. This isn't an over-grown kitty. Lol

[@Volyren]

@@jkg6211 my expertise lies in the fuzzy. (And one weird owl). The only aquatic pal I ever had was a popeye goldfish. He also liked headpats. Would spit water at you, then hide behind his treasure chest. And he begged for human food. You'd think ramen noodle or a few pieces of rice or even meat would be his favorite. Nope. Canned green beans. And yeah. He still eats fish food. But he's on the kitchen counter, and half the time, I just sit and eat there. So he wants to try the food too. Other than him, I've no fish experience. And with fuzzy critters, the bandaid/stitches bit works. Its all size-related. Give me an angry chihuahua bite over a horse-nip any day. Come to think of it, I don't ever think I've bought a pet. I just make friends with weird things. Or take pets people don't want, like my goldfish. I've got a bobcat named Uncle who is basically my housecat, and a sweetheart. Theres the raccoon, Stumpy, who likes coming in to hang out and play with the cat at night, and every week or so, the owl stops by for chicken nuggets (have to be crispy) and hugs, surprisingly. I didn't want to name him a dumb owl name, like Hootie. So I considered Weird Owl Yankovich. He *is* weird. But Hootie stuck, so I named him Blowfish. I'm starting to think I'm a Disney princess in denial. So I'll take your advice and leave Ursula's s*x toys alone.

[@jkg6211]

@@Volyren Lol Smart. ;)

[@firsttimeforge3596]

Diving instructor: “and here we have the Moray Eel, one of the most aggressive species in the ocean” Diver: *pets* “but what’s his name?”

[@pandamonium7170]

Fernando, his name is Fernando.

[@cyber_inu]

@@pandamonium7170 Can I pet Fernando too?

[@pandamonium7170]

@@cyber_inu It is not me you must ask, but Fernando. Only he can give permission for pets.

[@serpentinewolf7085]

Me at any growling dog to ever dog.

[@cydc.r.1487]

😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@ExtremelyToxic]

Imagine you're a prickly predator your whole life and then suddenly someone introduces petting and you realize you're just kinda a long-fish cat

[@hoihoipoipoi]

fish dog* cats are assholes.

[@terde9651]

Aww, well said ❤️

[@Super-Saiyan-Banana]

long-fish cat

[@TraderSamsara]

Prometheus

[@ExtremelyToxic]

@@Super-Saiyan-Banana more grammatically correct would honestly be long fish-cat but I don't have have heart to edit such a banger comment

[@a.jjoans5822]

I love how this diver approaches the eel like it's a puppy, offering their hand for it to basically smell first

[@Aurorya]

It's so the eel could recognise him. Their vision is quite bad, so if he directly pet her she may be startled and it can be dangerous for him, but with the smell the eel can be like "what is this? Oh It's that weird creature again, time to relax". It's just like if you're walking in the street alone and suddently a friend of yours sees you and jumps on your back, well you would be startled and not too happy to see them at first, surely you would prefer if they say hi before even touching you 😂

[@charmanderlover6433]

So cute!! I love how the eel leans into it! He's really enjoying this and seems loose and happy the entire time. No signs of aggression at all. He just leans in, lifts his chin and goes "Ah, yes.... ah, a little to the left please. Yes, there's the spot."

[@jinkazama5181]

I agree too, like scratch your tummy some more😊

[@rubber_face8410]

Moray eel: *Is a scary ass marine predator with a painful bite* Diver: *Scratching time!*

[@dehydratdwater]

Hydrate my water

[@rubber_face8410]

@@dehydratdwater Water Hydrated!

[@sidniesantos8485]

@Rubber_Face is your profile pic of an elephant seal?

[@rubber_face8410]

@@sidniesantos8485 Yes!

[@lepindre9193]

@@rubber_face8410 cute

[@silverscorpio24]

Eel: State your business, creature Diver: I come with scritches Eel: Alright. Proceed.

[@brenellaitalia]

LOL

[@viix3815]

You swim near me because I allow it, you will pet me cause I demand it.

[@joeyberg5765]

@@viix3815 Local space squid AI craves pets, more to come at 11

[@CreekCampo]

@@viix3815 I understood that reference 👉

[@Thisisaweirdthing2makeusdo]

😂😂

[@CharlieApples]

I’m from South Florida and have been a certified diver since I was a teenager. It’s amazing how many species can be friendly towards humans: sharks, eels, barracuda, cuttlefish, stingrays, all the species people are usually afraid of. Yet “peaceful” species like Goliath grouper and even dolphins can be huge dicks lol. Once when I was having a really bad day I went for a dive to get away from human life and came upon a big barracuda hovering over a reef, watching for prey. I came over and made eye contact with it, and the barracuda sort of looked me up and down but didn’t move aside from turning slightly to face me. I don’t know why, but for a long time I just floated there, staring into the eyes of this big fish with huge teeth, and it stared back. Must have stayed like that for over half an hour, just quietly regarding each other and watching the reef below. It never moved, and seemed to understand that I wasn’t there to disrupt anything. _Maybe_ it sort of enjoyed the company. Or maybe it just wondered what my problem was. Either way, I eventually had to leave, and only after I swam away did the barracuda start swimming away in the opposite direction. I like to imagine that barracuda was also having a hard day, and we kept each other company for a little while. Two species which shouldn’t be friendly towards each other, and yet we were. Hell, I’ve touched hundreds of sharks and I’ve never been attacked. Animals are a lot more intelligent than humans realize. They’re not just mindless killing machines.

[@flickcentergaming680]

Sharks are the toddlers of the ocean; they like to explore using their mouths. It's just unfortunate that sharks have incredibly sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Maybe we'd like them better.

[@GengUpinIpin]

​@@flickcentergaming680 well we like dogs....so whats stopping us 😁

[@GengUpinIpin]

I think.....most animals are curious when seeing new stuff (if they're not always shitless scared like Spiders) Dogs sniff, Snakes flicks their tongue more, Birds stays near a while, Tigers approaches and fool around, Elephants examine you with their trunk or whatever, and Monkeys just wants to yoink what they see interesting So i think tha fish was curious or wanna know "what you problem was"

[@user-gc9ef2np1e]

Sometimes you just need to chill with your fish buddy after a hard day.

[@Whammytap]

Animals also are very keen at evaluating risk-reward, probably better at it than most humans. Most animals don't go on the offense as a first resort.

[@AUDACITY245]

Everyone's talking about how humans pet everything, but nobody talking about the fact that this eel is so damn precious 😭

[@santa_with_a_gun]

its a scaly tube full of spikes and electricity

[@AUDACITY245]

@@santa_with_a_gun but damn are they cute

[@Aurorya]

​@@santa_with_a_gun moray eels don't produce electricity though

[@santa_with_a_gun]

@@Aurorya oh

[@c.E_VO]

the way he leaned INTO the neck scritchas healed some of my generational trauma

[@PunkMartyr]

“Thank you bro. Ever since Ursula got banished not gonna lie i’ve been kind of lonely.”

[@crystalmckinney3151]

Underrated comment 🙌🤣

[@butterqueen767]

“No worries man. We all get a little lonely sometimes.”

[@Sash_Storymaker]

"Hey speaking of which, where's your brother at? I mean ngl I thought you guys were dead."

[@hadesgodoftheunderworld9144]

This made my day.

[@PunkMartyr]

@Nuke em' have you ever been on a date with a girl in a canoe and some random crab with a Caribbean accent started encouraging you to kiss her?

[@lomstwyvern]

Moray: “What is this” Human: “Affection” Moray: “Disgusting... do it again”

[@igneuux]

Could you please tell me what that reference is from? I kwen it but forgot, and It drives me crazy each time I see it :(

[@KyHeartWill]

Literally, all girls

[@dantealexander9863]

It might be Futurama

[@igneuux]

@@dantealexander9863 It might be, it might be...

[@splitdragon3004]

@@igneuux google is helpful

[@DoneDragon1]

"This alien came down from the sky and started petting me and telling me what a good boy i was" -eel

[@galaxystarrs5432]

I love it how humans will seemingly pet anything they see. I can relate.

[@gotmemes7090]

Because there’s nothing that’ll be able to pet us, we are the apex predators of petting anything that breaths or moves

[@Anonymous-ss1kg]

The human desire of petting everything and anything that breathes is truly impeccable

[@delayedplayer]

Pet anything that moves

[@rickryan6271]

@@nikkonikko8684 good idea.

[@skh3766]

@@rickryan6271 wtf 🤨😐

[@Zoza15]

And believe it or not, animals do enjoy to get pet by humans. Of course those that allow it.

[@Zwizard247]

Human: (sees grass moving from the wind and is breathing) MUST PET

[@BaronFeydRautha]

Do not do this to any moray eel you see. This thing could have a relationship with the diver already and recognizes the dive suit. These things can be vicious.

[@squares4u]

I was about to say! This isn’t a great idea, Moray eels usually bite (with toxins) when disturbed!

[@BaronFeydRautha]

@@squares4u Now if this was a nurse shark... those things are basically poodles so long as you know how to treat them.

[@kimbaldun]

Too late, i'm in heaven now

[@KentuckyFriedChildren]

@@kimbaldun His hair was his life source, Eel must have snatched his wig

[@envygd4902]

Actually what do moray eels feel like?

[@CustodialDaniel]

There’s something so powerful and utterly adorable about watching this thing turn and lean into pets from what is to them a gigantic, mysterious creature it can’t comprehend. It just knows it likes the scritches

[@no64256]

I am kinda surprised at how cat-like the eel is acting. It's movements while being pet are incredibly similar to one of my own cats

[@jorgemigueltavares6041]

*Humans:* _“If it breathes, we can pet it.”_

[@kilambrown4302]

It doesn't Breathe *Edit: maybe no one breathes *Edit 1.5 years later, I have learned that I also, Breathe

[@TheCubeSnowflake]

@@kilambrown4302 it does, they absorb oxygen through the water with gills

[@literallyanangrymoose7717]

@@kilambrown4302 not like we do, but they definitely breathe

[@RollerBaller]

Didn't stop me from petting my roomba

[@PunkMartyr]

Lol this is such a good play on Arnies quote from Predator

[@mikehawk4388]

The way the eel not only lets him pet it, but leans in for more.... so precious

[@caturlifelive]

Its like a cat

[@burunyuu1243]

@@caturlifelive yess

[@karindickinson7993]

These are moments , were we get to know animals from a different side and it is wonderful. ♥️🐟♥️

[@WhitneyDahlin]

@@karindickinson7993 what's amazing to me is that humans love and crave and have this instinct to pet animals and at the same time the world is FULL of animals who love to be petted! my dogs beg for pets constantly and can never get enough, and I love to pet and snuggle with my dogs! Humans crave to show love to all animals and there are so many animals who crave humans love! it's perfect!

[@kirbyslayer8872]

cat

[@shadowregual7085]

“When the jaws open wide and there’s more jaws inside, that’s a moray~”

[@jaakkorobin]

The humans' ability of wanting to pet anything and everything fascinates me to no end

[@kleanthisaristidou373]

"It takes a pet no problem, not afraid at all." "That's a great eel, right there."

[@brenj]

#bodegacats

[@Kilpa2]

this made the video for me

[@kucingtepijalan3459]

@@zara_62 Nah, that's a great eel right there. I mean, he takes a pet like no problem tho

[@JustKadoni]

@@kucingtepijalan3459 And it's not afraid at all, yeah that's a great eel right there

[@gavenowens7154]

If you no you no

[@shanerooney7288]

"Put your hand forward, let him smell you. It shows trust." "Um... you're thinking of dogs." "Yes. This is dog." * *Gives pats* *

[@Drastik0]

Aah yes, sea dog

[@nsn.yellow_]

Yea

[@literallyanangrymoose7717]

Seadog

[@rot_studios]

You're not wrong, eels go primarily by smell. Their eyesight is pretty shit :P

[@hotaruishere2133]

@@rot_studios I feel like the fact that you can't even SEE its eyeballs further proves the point that their eyeballs suck.

[@Gocolas]

i love how he lets the eel smell him first, kind of like petting a cat

[@calebrichardson848]

Wow, divers have some of the most unexpected experiences when interacting with marine life like in the video. Massive fan of biology!

[@denariolibri1211]

I am a diver from Croatia that encounters those eels on almost every dive (they are named Ugor in Croatia). They are hands down of the friendliest and curious creatures in the sea. They always come out if you stick around the entrance to the hole, you can pet them (gently) and play with them, they really don't care. The only thing you never do is grab its tail or pet its tail if its sticking out of a hole, they usually respond quite aggressively to that but besides that they are just bros really.

[@jamescricketson9464]

Would you pet a serb?

[@kakalimukherjee3297]

@@jamescricketson9464 Nah. They'll be toxic for him.

[@jamescricketson9464]

@@kakalimukherjee3297 lol 😁why he not like to pet them?

[@ThatSux]

I think every animal with a tail hates it if its touched. 🤔

[@denariolibri1211]

@@jamescricketson9464 Of course I would, they are very friendly creatures, very territorial. The toxin they produce called Rakija can be quite deadly if you are not accustomed to it through long continuous exposure.

[@TevvoWevvo]

I like how the diver even did the "hey, remember what I smell like?" gesture to the eel and let it "sniff" his hand. Definitely had a previous encounter beforehand but this is super stinking cute :"0

[@ReginaTrans_]

Reminds me of straight men

[@ccbf1091]

@@ReginaTrans_ jdkdh where'd that thought come from?

[@ReginaTrans_]

@@ccbf1091 i observe them in their habitats, this is why I chose to be reincarnated in this shape. To be closer to them

[@theramfam4353]

@@ReginaTrans_ we are humans too you know. Also what’s wrong with straight men

[@carfent8444]

@@ReginaTrans_ youre gross

[@captain_commenter8796]

Bro went from malicious predator to sea noodle rather quickly

[@Cast-Carnival]

this is the equivalent of an alien descending from space just to scratch the back of a human.

[@Eragarev]

The fact that a creature like this can even recognize and respond positively to affection is far more fascinating than humanity's obsession with petting it.

[@jesseboutell3511]

If you think eels even come close to processing the world on a level where affection can be recognized and responded to you have lost the plot

[@UhrwerkKlockwerx]

@@jesseboutell3511 If you think you need to be a dick to get a point across, you've seriously lost the plot.

[@aspenrose_]

yeah i dont think its responding to affection, i think at the most it just likes how the petting feels

[@hengry2]

@@UhrwerkKlockwerx at least he is original and doesnt need to copy in attempt to insult LOL

[@johnnyboygriffin5764]

@@hengry2 you used LOL to insult someone and even used caps. Here's some sunscreen man, go outside for once.

[@thatguy779]

For a slug-snake with broken glass for teeth, it’s really cute

[@Lex_en_vrai]

I was gonna say this thing looks like it could've been a snake during the Jurassic, why would you ever want to pet it

[@LittleMissV]

@@Lex_en_vrai everything deserves pets. Except for wasps. Screw those guys

[@local_anxiety_rat1276]

@@LittleMissV executioner wasps are chill and they look spicy but the rest of the wasps? Yeah fuck em'

[@matsukamus]

@@local_anxiety_rat1276 wasps may attack when you disturb them (so not very pettable unless they're sedated), but they're vital for pollination and pest control!! You don't have to like them but please be nice they are doing their best. Hornets are the real bastards here.

[@LittleMissV]

@@matsukamus lol fair enough

[@janekmundt579]

As a scuba diver, you just did what I could never do. Moray eels freak me out. Probably the only animal aside from a shark or a poisonous animal I wouldn’t come close to

[@danielwalsh722]

speaking as someone who owns this type of moray (and others as well) as well as having swam with 'wild' ones (though to be fair, all captive morays are 'wild' since they cannot be captive bred as yet) they are usually friendly enough once you have built up a relationship with a particular eel. mine lets me pet him and seems to love it just as much as this one did...but like you said, id never try it with an eel i did not 'know' well

[@princessjune]

This is beyond cute. I love the ocean, it’s my life. I grew up by the ocean since I’m Panamanian with a Jamaican Father and a Colombian Mother. 🏝️

[@masterrafferty4065]

When you're swimming in the sea and an eel bites your knee That's a moray! When the jaws open wide and there's more jaws inside That's a moray!

[@sixteenstringjack]

Master Rafferty that’s pretty good

[@akadripzeytyt5977]

sixteenstringjack right

[@peterg1466]

lol

[@samiydiver720]

mine is good too... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6HNpHx4gq6XatE

[@mfrosty198]

@@samiydiver720 fuck off

[@MaritsView]

*"A human's most dangerous weapon isn't our brain, but rather the affection we want to give."*

[@theonlyshinyumbreon]

There is nothing. _NOTHING_ on the planet more persistent than a person wanting to give an animal a good rubbing.

[@genuinejoe2103]

@@theonlyshinyumbreon mate you need to stop ‘rubbing’ animals before you end up on a list.

[@-aid4084]

@@genuinejoe2103 bruhhhhhhhh

[@asingularkriegsman3316]

@@theonlyshinyumbreon .................rubbing?.........

[@theonlyshinyumbreon]

I see my phrase in words has hideously backfired.

[@kress404]

Moray Eels are sooo cute! :3

[@XRP_Bull_911]

This man has successfully accepted the possibility of potentially losing a finger

[@angelbabydragon]

Diver: Pets Long maculated serpent-like tube: confused but enjoys the moment

[@angelbabydragon]

Over 1500 likes? Ohmygha! Thx you all!

[@capybara9521]

@@angelbabydragon you like your own comment cringe

[@capybara9521]

@@angelbabydragon nice buying bots for likes kid

[@angelbabydragon]

@@capybara9521 I made a comment that people like. I thank those that took time to read and appreciate my comment. Haters gonna hate I guess.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@fishyc43sar]

@@capybara9521 go back to roblox and fortnite

[@SolidGoldCEO]

When you're stroking an eel and it enjoys the feel That's a Moray.

[@lauravil5909]

😂👏

[@emelyne2232]

😂😂😂

[@David-cx4wy]

brilliant!

[@fluff955]

👍

[@magichands135]

scuze me

[@TofuTeo]

Aww imagine feeling this sensation for the first time in your life. He’ll probably never get pet again in his life, I realise! Imagine wanting to feel it again but not being able to. It’s hard to lose something once you’ve experienced how nice it is. But if you never had the memory of it, it’s a bit easier to live your life, without the yearning/longer to feel it again!

[@bibby659]

Coming back to this 2 years later, also noticing its eyes, they look quite lovely. Full of life, interest, and curiosity. Though they are hard to see since they blend in so well with its pattern.

[@ohdahngboi_2237]

weird how humans want to pet everything that moves and nearly everything that moves likes to be petted

[@johnnymcblaze]

It's not weird, there are patterns in everything and much of those patterns are purposefully hidden.

[@phoenixjones7191]

@@cursedGalataea why are you randomly miserable towards strangers

[@truetinkerer]

@@cursedGalataea This is the kind of attitude that gets people killed. Most wild animals are dangerous.

[@ethribin4188]

Its about grooming. Every animal likes being groomed in one way or another. Be that to get rid of old skin cells, get rid of parasites, dirt, itchy spots, etc. Becausecof that, and cause most animals cant groom 100% of their bodies themselves, grooming eachother has become a universal show and sharing of affection and trust. Petting or scritching is ultimativly a simulation or mimicry of grooming. Aside of that, feeling the touch of another creature can instill comfort even on the most basic minds. That feeling of comfort comes from the fact that,if someone or something, that means no harm to you,is near you, your chance of survival inherantly goes up. Combine that with grooming also increasing survival (cause it inproves health) and you get the reason why most animals are content or even enjoy being pet.

[@justsailing2189]

Even humans like to be petted 👁👁

[@xxdemisucksxx]

"Everything is a dog if you try hard enough" - Socrates probably

[@tylerfetui3336]

Nah Aristotle I believe

[@lukaaxoltl5468]

They love to be peted and they bite you soooooo pretty close. Edit: I schould stop commenting on videos when am sick.

[@joyjana6028]

Gal- Eel -leo : 😏

[@jackgold7391]

Plato might've said it too, or they all just said it at the same time

[@Ralkeldorff]

Humans are included in that list

[@Hank..]

humans in movies: it turns out, WE were the REAL monsters all along!!! humans IRL: I stroke-a da eel

[@aspen9315]

“What is this” “Head rubbies” “Revolting. More please”

[@Valigarmanda]

It's official. Everything is a dog if you're brave enough to pet it.

[@lilialalia4836]

What about cats?

[@Corvus__]

You can even pet a tiger shark. Edit: Holy tolito, I never thought I'd get so many likes before! Thanks strangers!😀👍

[@PanzerkampfwagenausfTschechosl]

@@lilialalia4836 no cats don’t count

[@godusopp1797]

@@PanzerkampfwagenausfTschechosl So what? Cats are off the table because they don't immediately love you like Dogs do? I suppose that must mean you hate Birds too? Do you also hate Hamsters? What about Lizards? Ferrets? Rabbits? Turtles? They're all pets you have to genuinely earn the trust of so they must be truly inferior to dogs, right? *Ya'll accusing me of being a cat person when I literally only own a Galah. Also if this is the only comment you read and you still call me a Karen, then hop up on this podium with me, you're now qualified.

[@MoonMoon-zz3lq]

@@godusopp1797 I think they were trying to say cats don’t count because they don’t *need* to be dogs to be lovable and pet-able

[@marianmoesinger3825]

When an eel bites your thigh Then you bleed out and die That's a Moray. 🎶

[@albertkops2459]

If it live on a reef And has two sets of teeth Thats a moray~

[@jarvis5552]

If its jaws open wide And there's more jaws inside That's a moray~

[@Vikingwerk]

Put your hand somewhere dumb Now you don’t have a thumb Thats a Moray. 🎵🎶

[@marianmoesinger3825]

@@Vikingwerk 🤣🤣🤣

[@anmolkoul2976]

how about another joke ... Moray.

[@chriswu8514]

This guy has the same expression of my puppy when I come home, mouth open ready for yummy treats, body leaning for long rubbing / massage treatments 😂

[@Rich77UK]

Magnificent. I've seen similar reactions by moray before. I suspect its not liking the contact like a dog or cat does but in a similar way it allows cleaner wrasse and shrimp to remove parasites from its body. Still a great experience. I haven't dived since 2008 in Fiji and miss doing so.

[@Strix182]

Diving specialists: "For the safety of both the marine environment and yourself, do not touch anything during a dive." Diver: "whoa, look at this weird cat"

[@DrLennieSmall]

When I went diving in Cape Verde my dive instructor just picked up a spider crab and gave it me to hold.

[@Amphibian42]

@@DrLennieSmall "hey bro hold this"

[@DrLennieSmall]

@@Amphibian42 Africa is pretty fucking based

[@Amphibian42]

@@DrLennieSmall yea I've heard it is

[@RsRj-qd2cg]

You don't touch anything because coral can be razor sharp.

[@romanboi3115]

Thoes eels are some of the most territorial and agressive in the ocean, The fact this guy was able to pet one and leave with no injuries is nothing short of impressive

[@3Moonstar6Assassin9]

They're also very intelligent so most likely the diver gained its trust before he filmed this video

[@boarder0245]

Wouldnt call them aggresive, just dont provoke them.... but I wouldnt pet it lmao

[@kevingriener7441]

@@3Moonstar6Assassin9 thank you very much, that explains a whole lot

[@magmat0585]

@@3Moonstar6Assassin9 Yep, they work with groupers the same way badgers and coyotes work together on land

[@martinsimeonov1563]

If he dives regularly the moray probably already knows him

[@nps-ddpsavinglives]

Amazing no doubt the 1st time this creature has experienced human attention & affection... GREAT VIDEO!

[@SameytheHedgie]

Gods gift to the world was giving us hands Our mission? Pet. _Everything._

[@violajackson6885]

Pet all the creatures!

[@ReginaTrans_]

That’s why I always pet men

[@galadriel3134]

Not everything. 'Dont pet the swetty stuff'

[@nelsondubierbaezbarbosa7630]

do that with a cotton caterpillar and you will not pet anything fluffy on your life again

[@emily.d7493]

@@ReginaTrans_ HUh?

[@ShadowNetWeaver1]

It is our purpose to pet EVERY SINGLE ANIMAL on this earth

[@julliferjosephtuba2202]

God made Adam specifically for this

[@kimbaldun]

So should we start petting politicians then?

[@mist5273]

@@kimbaldun maybe they would stop acting like assholes after a few head scratches

[@johnnymcblaze]

@@mist5273 Politicians don't act like assholes, they act like what they are. Lords and ladies. Be thankful your peasant ass dosent have to work all day just to have it go to those who sit at the top of the pyramid.

[@familytheis4700]

And this is how this reply section turns into yet another warzone.

[@Harriet1822]

That eel probably knew that diver. They have a MEAN bite.

[@FrakintheboX]

That eel goes from looking ferocious to adorable in a matter of seconds

[@wither5673]

i love how human brains see's literally anything that breathes and is like: im gonna pet it.

[@jdogzerosilverblade299]

as dr who once said. "you see a black hole you dont think lets stay away from it since it could be dangerous. no lets jump into it head first"

[@frowner_and_co]

It has to breathe? I pet rocks

[@didi9126]

or, in this case, things that don't

[@coolnormalandwelladjusted]

@@didi9126 fish do breathe. If water had no oxygen in it they would die.

[@ahardworker2154]

You can thank the crocodile man for that and Bob Ross

[@Spoon80085]

Imagine how good it would feel for someone to scratch your back if you didn't have arms and couldn't do it yourself

[@andrewwright.]

Must of been well different for the fish.

[@andyward8430]

I have hands and can scratch my own back. It still feels way better when somebody else does it.

[@thames21]

@@andrewwright. of?

[@B4R0N.]

@@thames21 i think he means "have"

[@longbread3593]

@@thames21 You was joking right?

[@yashnigam2704]

This is essentially the plotline of 'How To Train Your Dragon' 😂

[@peterwerninck9529]

I always found them a bit lovectaftian and scary but these videos make me see them in a different light. They're like weird alien sea cats that are surprisingly pretty!

[@danielwalsh722]

I own two morays (including one of the type in the video...(often known as a honeycomb or tesselata moray). my experience with morays (both mine as well as others) is that they are intelligent and highly curious animals that will happily be friendly with you as long as you respect them. my moray's know me and my wife well and never act aggressively towards us, even during feeding time! the honeycomb will allow himself to be pet and often shows visible appreciation much like the one in the video. our other moray (a snowflake moray) does not much like to be touched so we dont try

[@peterwerninck9529]

Thats really nice Daniel! What you say reminds of spiders and bats, how society views both of them as terrifyingly scary but bats are actually kinda adorable, they are like flying hamsters and spiders are fascinating creatures that are not very harmful outside of a tiny amount of (looking at you, Australians!) species. Also spiders eat midges and flies, so they are officially allowed in my flat! Since I am a big filthy hippy and all, I am trying really hard to see animals that I previously viewed as scary as actual beings with intelligence. The Moray thing you said I believe, they certainly look like intelligent behaving creatures if you just know a wee bit about them. Also bonus points for being named after a place in mi homeland (Moray n Aberdeenshire haha!) @@danielwalsh722

[@RobotSavetheworld]

When the eel in the sea enjoys your company, That's a moray And you stroke with your hand as it rests in the sand, that's a moray

[@darrionj707]

Underrated af

[@tylerbullock667]

It really is.

[@terryannmaes5538]

Can't stop laughing

[@mohamadarieffakri5140]

Dammit. I love this comment so much.

[@advltnaps]

This is beautiful.

[@thatguy1507]

I dived/snorkeled on the same spot for almost a year when I was living in the Canary Islands. Its crazy how much I learnt from the animals. Octopi meeting my gaze and coming out to play in between my fingers. Sea turtles asking for help to get fishing gear removed from their fins. And moray eels getting familiar with me and actually leaving their hiding spots when I approached them. Animals are much more sensitive, social and intelligent than what we’ve assumed.

[@OnlyKaerius]

Yeah, I've dived for years, not quite had any of those experiences, but last time I was on Cozumel they told me there's a nurse shark at one of the dive sites that won't leave you alone until you pet it. I think the dive site was called Colombia, one of the furthest from the harbor. I've had a nurse shark brush up against the hand holding my camera, but I think that was more accidental. I've also done the finger/tentacle handshake with octopusses. My favorite being with a mimic octopus in the Maldives, which me and my dive buddy stuck around for half an hour, it also really amused me when it tried to mimic an anemonie but was in a dameselfish's territory, and it kept pecking at it, making it try to dodge.

[@AlottaBoulchit]

That's the sweetest experience! Stuff like that kinda makes me wanna dive.. but my Thalassophobia is just too big. Lmao, I'll just watch videos and listen to cool stories like yours!

[@octilli]

yea of course you know so much more than experts who have spent decades researching every animal you’ve mentioned.

[@ronaldpadgett2580]

Waaaay more than we Thunk, it's crazy because i used to think I was the only one who picked up and noticed this stuff with animals since no one else really gave it much thought around me

[@a.m.7438]

We'll get better at understanding once we remove ourselves from the equation of other animal intelligence. Every animal is wired uniquely for what they are. Of course they respond to their environment differently. We can only react to our environment with the tools we have innate to us.

[@genehen6495]

The lighting makes the hand look like a zombies haha What a cute eel ♡

[@djwildlifeclips9779]

This reminds me of a dog raising its head and enjoying being petted, encouraging the human to pet more... Amazing.

[@philippaul6039]

Imagine having no arms, legs or anything else to scratch yourself with lol

[@usaku9851]

You can still scratch yourself on a good stone if you're not too lazy or busy for that.

[@Anon26535]

When there's sea lice in your snatch And there's no limbs to scratch That's a moray

[@AbhishekThakur-wl1pl]

No arms or legs is basically how you exist right now, Kevin. You don't do anything.

[@philippaul6039]

@@AbhishekThakur-wl1pl Looks in the air with a puzzled face

[@lonewolf7761]

Just curl up your tail and do it

[@owo7478]

Humans see anything moves -“OH I HAVE TO PET IT “ 🤣

[@doggo7078]

damned humans, pitiful creatures, we will destroy them one day

[@a.i.m.f8567]

@@doggo7078 us, homo sapiens, will kill every human without mercy.

[@Hyraladen]

@@doggo7078 whine, cry... Shut up and enjoy the harmless video

[@Hyraladen]

@@Harry64278 not in the slightest. People can no longer make comments without someone thinking you for offended or triggered? That's you, annoyed with my comment

[@stockimageofaburglarwithag2284]

@@Hyraladen Wouldn't say annoyed, he was simply curious if you were actually angered by what A.I.M. said.

[@Charlotte-wd4bq]

Sweet. Sea puppy enjoying interacting with people. Has anyone seen the video of the shark coming up to a fishing boat entangled in their nets? It was definitely asking for help and thankfully the men gently set it free.

[@mememaria4073]

Truly an "if not friend, why friend shaped" moment

[@jikan114]

Eel to his buddies that night: "Guys you're never gonna believe this"

[@anryx555]

"i discover scratch !" "Whoooo"

[@fishyc43sar]

Imagine having such a hell of luck to get petted by a random hooman out of nowhere. Just imagine.

[@SoulCharizard]

@@anryx555 “Frank, I think we’re getting tired of your dreams of you making contact with humans. We know they’re terrifying.”

[@AntoDesormeaux]

@@SoulCharizard I was going to say that the moray eels are terrifying but you have a point. They're puppies compared to us.

[@gengterjahbangau3805]

@@SoulCharizard 'no, im telling u guys the truth. Lets go to my spot if you guys dont believe me'

[@venomlink2033]

As a fisherman who knows what a Moray Eel’s teeth look like, seeing him do this with bare hands scares me.

[@hiiambarney4489]

I was about to say, these things could probably snap a finger off in their prime. Then I read that this is a known 80 Year old, Blind Female that has shown to be affectionate before, so it's ok I guess.

[@zagreus5773]

80 years? That's insane! How old do these guys get?

[@PerfectZeroMusic_]

@@zagreus5773 As i read in another comment, some species live up to about 100 years apparently

[@chadmiller2224]

You can see its teeth when it raises its head up with its mouth open. Nasty looking set of teeth they have. I don't know if I'd be brave enough.

[@BurgerKingHarkinian]

@@hiiambarney4489 what does this diver's age have to do with it?

[@ComradeRagdoll]

I find moray eels to be weirdly adorable!

[@ImaGenieinABottle578]

Awwww What A SWEET, LOVING EEL!.

[@Spiketrooper]

Gotta love that this adorable noodle dragon could take a finger or two off you in a second if it wanted to, but it's like "nah these scritches are top quality who needs food."

[@TSPH1992]

Not only that but their bites could be toxic

[@kytrensol9777]

@@TSPH1992 they are?

[@TSPH1992]

@@kytrensol9777 one bite releases toxins in the bloodstream.

[@dragonempress8367]

@@TSPH1992 so... Why didn't it bite? Eh it probably felt safe

[@TSPH1992]

@@dragonempress8367 no shit

[@marshmallowmann20]

"I mean a fish is kinda a dog if you turn off your brain" humankind never ceases to amaze me

[@marvalice3455]

Technically dogs, like all land vertebrates, are just really weird fish

[@deezbollas7613]

Are you not a human orrr ?

[@haislynmargaret8124]

The fact that your a human yourself

[@4206vidsgaming]

This why we’re the dominate species. We try to domesticate everything.

[@-.____________________________]

Until it bites your thumb off. I guess a pitbull would do that too though

[@Ghibli_Otaku]

1:09 it’s so cute how it leans into the neck scratches like a cat does

[@demonmothsheep9040]

Omg that moray Eel is like a underwater house cat

[@mikefang9995]

This a quintessential "kids, don't try this at home" moment.

[@CherryRedBanshee]

Well of course you don’t try this at home! You try it on your next family scuba trip!

[@peoplebelievealiensarereal]

No kids have moray eel at home 😂

[@raptorrayven3708]

Kids won’t listen, when they get a chance to do anything they’ll take it.

[@samc2]

But also ADULTS, do Not try this (at home)

[@pandamonium7170]

What kid has a moray eel and scuba gear readily available in their home?

[@calebklingerman7902]

I’ve heard of eels swimming out to meet their diver friends when they see them coming. I’ve also heard that they have anticoagulants in their saliva so when they bite you it just keeps bleeding.

[@pandamonium7170]

fun

[@92edoy]

Fun stuff. What I heard is that, when they bite, they latch into the crevice they reside, making it very difficult for the diver to free themselves, making them die by bleedout or by asphyssia (O2 tank running out).

[@thebocce5741]

*TLDR:* Morays have not killed anyone, most of the bites have occurred because people either try to feed or touch it. Sometimes, the bites can be unprovoked, and in one instance, a man got their forearm ripped open by an unprovoked Moray who had been fed a lot by humans. The moray was OK with what was happening, if not, the video would have been much more grisly. *Long version:* No fatalities have actually been reported due to Moray eel bites. Most of the time, when people are bitten, it's when they insert their hand into a crevice where an eel is in, which is growing increasingly more common now due to the practice of commercial feeding. However, sometimes the attacks are unprovoked, for example, in one occurrence, a man was violently bitten by a 10-meter long Moray eel that had frequented the area where they were swimming and had become used to the divers presence there, generally regarding them as being a food source (The eel received food from the divers, they did not eat the divers themselves), which could have been an explanation as to why the bite occurred. The bite was still very serious nonetheless, with the victim's forearm being torn open, revealing their bones, but they did survive. Also, something interesting is that Moray eels actually have a 3rd row of teeth to prevent their prey from escaping, which isn't relevant to the discussion, I just thought it was cool. That Moray eel was most likely ok with what was happening, because if it refused to be pet by the diver, then the events of the video would have been much different.

[@jermainebrown8604]

@@thebocce5741 10ft not ten meter lol they don't get that big

[@Thomeeno]

I heard they are waiting in tiny spaces in between rocks, and when diver is uncautiously swimming around it catch your finger and fit back in between rocks while flexing their muscles to become larger than openings. Its basically impossible to get your hands out and the only way is to cut off your finger.

[@sketchjunior7072]

I love that a universal language of affection is physical touch, we can communicate with almost any creature that lets us pet it

[@moonunit7417]

It takes a lot of bravery and tolerance to touch a creature like that. Props to that eel for letting that leathery, gnarled, liver-spotted old rooker handle it

[@jkg6211]

There's an old saying from the old to the young; "As I am, so shall you be one day". Enjoy your youth while you can... it doesn't last long, believe me.

[@shadycatz85]

there is a famous freshwater eel that i have met before in nz, i forgot her name, but she's over 70 years old (some species live for up to 100 years), and she was so sweet and friendly, she loves my neon yellow shoelaces and when i held my hand in the water, she'd swim forcefully under my hand to rub herself on it (like cats do). she was mostly blind from cataracts and her eyes were white from them. gentle old lady.

[@lupusx3225]

Awwwww that is such a sweet story thanks for sharing ;)

[@satoshihiro1590]

Now she's 80

[@rowansidhe3239]

I looked it up, her name is/was Doris 💙

[@alexandriatrenier7366]

WOAH 70?!

[@shadycatz85]

@@rowansidhe3239 she was actually a different one, in the north island, but thank you for telling me about doris, she's super cute too!

[@drakefrid4948]

It takes a pet like no problem, not afraid at all. Thats a great eel right there !

[@nero7537]

Understood that reference

[@dropkickpherby6994]

Was just thinking about this as I scroll through the comments

[@MrTNT49]

I see you're a man of culture

[@cewapaiget5734]

Perfect reference

[@terde9651]

Lol 😂

[@student6393]

He tilts into his handddddddddddddd, why is this creature being so adorable rn

[@-acne]

This has gotta be by far the most fascinating thing I have seen in months

[@Sworddove]

When an eel has a maw with a pharyngeal jaw, that's a moray When the jaws open wide and there's more jaws inside, that's a moray When it sulks in a reef and has two sets of teeth, that's a moray When an eel bites your thigh and you bleed out and die that's a moray

[@kiloindia9798]

underrated...

[@inkchariot6147]

When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's amore. When an eel lunges out, takes a bite of your snout, that's a moray!

[@Sworddove]

@@inkchariot6147 😂🤣😂 Love it!

[@kaiapparent2653]

took me a second to get this but i’m so glad i stuck it out and suddenly found myself singing lmao

[@Sworddove]

@@kaiapparent2653 and now you will never be able to sing the song without thinking of eels and laughing your butt off. Tell the employees about that one the next time you go into Olive Garden. I think they play that song there a hundred times a day. LOL!

[@foureyedpossum4613]

The fact that it leaned into his hand like a cat or dog would is absolutely precious

[@checkmate778]

Shows sentience!

[@jimmyvalenzuela1912]

Moray eels are the cats of the sea

[@thatguy1507]

Somehow we’ve assumed that all animals are senseless beings that just move around responding to mere instincts, but if we stopped and looked, we’d find out how sensitive and social and clever certain species actually are.

[@dbiz-wx9hp]

most fish like affection, but we treat them worse then slaughter house animalz

[@foureyedpossum4613]

@@thatguy1507 I didn't assume it had no senses, I just assumed a shy animal like a moray eel would actively avoid being touched

[@Cenbes]

Sea noodle looks in human's general direction: "Anyway... I started petting!"

[@tieember9596]

"What is this?" "Affection." "Disgusting...do it again"

[@roomtemperatureones63]

Every creature looks so cute while enjoying some human affection. Little sea snake puppy. A wet dachshund.

[@thh1226]

Especially those which are really dangerous like lions, sharks etc

[@marialucilia242]

A moist snake

[@gro2174]

Ain't a snake and lions are dangerous. Ha I have destroyed your entire world view with a simple comment you will likely never see...... HAHA

[@marialucilia242]

@@gro2174 tell me your age without telling me your age

[@mahatmaniggandhi2898]

T-Rex

[@4rUm4nD]

Moray: I could kill you if i wanted to, petty human Human: *Starts petting and scratching* Moray: But you may live for another day, carry on

[@S_O_U_P]

underrated

[@Greg.Lacoste]

Some of us take touch for granted. I’m sure that eels life would never be the same

[@DraxTheDestroyer]

All animals need love, no matter how scary they look!

[@katrinaolsen2444]

I had a Moray Eel. Eli. He was so very friendly. He always came out when I approached the tank. He was a tiny shoe string when I got him. He became huge. I miss him.

[@averageminecraftenjoyer9419]

Thats just so sad, i wish pets can last as long as someone could live

[@radolfshitter8694]

@@averageminecraftenjoyer9419 You need turtle. They can live longer than you.

[@lelouchabadilla]

@@radolfshitter8694 And they will not miss u, When you're gone.

[@Z0mbie6073]

@@lelouchabadilla shhhhh let them die thinking that their pet turtle still loves them.

[@MeltedToast84]

@@radolfshitter8694 unless you want a sea turtle, that is false, Tortoises are the ones that live over 100 years