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Watch: Seal Hits a Kayaker With An Octopus

seal hits kayaker with octopus

In a comical twist of fate, a kayaker found themselves on the receiving end of an unexpected, albeit harmless, surprise when a seal playfully flung an octopus into their face. Seals have long captivated our hearts with their charming antics.

Meet the Playful Pinnipeds

A seal colony. Image by Sara Mäder on Unsplash.

Pinnipeds are a diverse group of marine mammals belonging to the family Phocidae. They can be found in various parts of the world, from Antarctica’s icy waters to California’s sun-kissed shores.

Charming Creatures

breeding season
Grey Seal pupping and breeding season. Image via kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Seals charming creatures have captured our collective imagination for centuries. With their large, soulful eyes and plump, whiskered faces. They exude an irresistible charm that makes them a favorite subject of wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Seals’ Social Savvy

Lone sea lion walking on the beach. Image by Patrick Duvanel on Unsplash

Seals are not only cute but also remarkably intelligent. They exhibit social behaviors that are fascinating to observe. While seals are known for their solitary foraging expeditions, they often congregate in colonies during the breeding season.

Social Gathering

Image of seal Island in false bay.
Seals island in Cape Town the seals use the Island as their main breeding ground. Image via Wolves201, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These gatherings serve as opportunities for social interaction and courtship. They communicate through a symphony of vocalizations, including barks, growls, and even eerie songs. This helps them establish territory and communicate with fellow seals.

Mischief in the Marine World

Sea Lions taking a nap on wooden horbour platforms. Image by Vladimir Haltakov on Unsplash

Seals are renowned for their playful nature. This endearing characteristic often leads them to engage in antics that appear to be a form of amusement. The viral video of the squid-throwing seal is a testament to their mischievous tendencies.

Playful

Monk seal resting
Monk seal resting on beach. Image via Ashley Lee, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Seals are known to toy with their food, tossing it around in the water or playing catch with small prey like fish and squid. This behavior, while entertaining, also serves as an essential part of their learning and survival process.

The Seal’s Perspective

Seal steals a fish. Image via depositphotos.

From the seal’s perspective, this playful interaction is a way to refine their hunting skills. Seals are expert hunters, and their playful antics help them practice catching fast-moving prey.

Boo!

Harbor seal. Image via depositphotos.

In the video, the seal’s toss may have been an attempt to startle the kayaker, mimicking the evasive maneuvers prey animals often use to escape capture. While it may seem like a lighthearted prank, it is a valuable training exercise for the seal’s survival.

The Importance of Respecting Wildlife

sea lion
Sea lion. Image by Ralph via Pixabay

The viral video entertains and serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and their natural behaviors. While the kayaker’s reaction was one of amusement, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance from wild animals and observe them without interfering in their activities.

Seal Safety

seals
Seals relaxing on a rock. Image by izanbar via depositphotos.com

Like all creatures, seals deserve our admiration and protection, and adhering to responsible wildlife-watching guidelines is crucial to ensure their well-being and safety.

Seal Hits Kayaker With An Octopus

Cape Fur Seal
Seal. Image by SURZet via depositphotos.com

The video garnered millions of views and showcases the incredible moment when a kayaker encounters a seal with an unusual sense of humor. As the kayaker paddles along, basking in the tranquility of the ocean, the curious seal pops out of the water, holding an octopus in its mouth.

Perfect Aim

mediterranean monk seal
Image credit: sewer12 via depositphotos.com

With impeccable aim, the seal effortlessly tosses the octopus toward the kayaker, who is startled and amused by the bizarre encounter. This delightful video reminds us of the unexpected and captivating wonders of nature.

The Video

Screenshot from Seal slaps kayaker in the face with an octopus. Source: YouTube, Channel: The Guardian
YouTube video
Seal slaps kayaker in the face with an octopus. Source: YouTube, Channel: The Guardian

Conclusion

sea lion
Sea lion. Image by Foto-Rabe via Pixabay

This unique encounter touches on the playful nature of seals, highlighting the importance of play and the interesting ways that seals learn how to hunt and kill their prey. I hope you enjoyed reading about this mischievous encounter. T

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Weddell seal lying on bed. Roger Hewitt, NOAA NMFS SWFSC, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Paula Rock

Saturday 18th of May 2024

Who said there's no such thing as Karma!!!!!! Smart animal!!!!!

Liz

Saturday 30th of September 2023

Please note. The animals displayed in the photos throughout this article are NOT of seals, but rather sea lions. The author doesn't specify any particular seal specie so I believe it is safe to assume that the information provided was meant to be on that of the sea lions and not seals. Fun fact: sea lions have outward ears while seals do not. Stay sharp friends!

Jen Fitschen

Saturday 30th of September 2023

Thank you for this clarification, got to stay sharp!

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