Diver Didn’t Understand What This Seal Wanted, Until It Grabbed His Hand

Scuba diving provides the opportunity to experience wildlife it their own habitat, and see things you wouldn’t be able to otherwise, but what happen when you are in their territory?

life Changing Day

For one unsuspecting diver, he would never forget this experience, when one fateful day under the water,  his dive was interrupted in the most unexpected way.

Gary was hoping to encounter some wildlife, but him and his dive buddies were flabbergasted when a couple of seals appeared out of nowhere.

Startled

When diving, you are taught not to disturb the animals in their natural habitat, so when the seals approached, the divers tried to remain calm.

ADVERTISEMENT
Startled

Seals are known for being inquisitive but also can be aggressive to humans they haven’t seen before.

Don’t Move

The divers thought to take their camera out, to capture the animals as they got closer.

ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t Move

They appeared to be sizing the humans up.

ADVERTISEMENT

Putting On A Show

Of course no two dives were the same and you never know what you might be able to capture at the bottom of the water. Usually, Gary was the one who did most of the filming.

ADVERTISEMENT
Putting On A Show

However, on this particular day, it was his friend who was in charge of the camera when the seals showed up. It was a good thing, too, because the result, was some incredible footage that would end up with millions of views on YouTube.

ADVERTISEMENT

Just Pups

When the divers first saw the cute seals, Gary’s friend quickly took the camera. As the seals approached them, they realized that they were only babies.

ADVERTISEMENT
Just Pups

The two divers remained as still as possible, so they felt safe enough to stay.

ADVERTISEMENT

Inquisitive Little Things

The seals started to circle the divers. They were inquisitive and wanted to figure out these strange two-legged creatures who had just appeared in their underwater habitat.

ADVERTISEMENT
Inquisitive Little Things

Everyone was overcome by an immediate trepidation. They hadn’t experienced this before on a dive, and they were avid divers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Curious Animals

Seals really are just like big water dogs. Just take a gander at their loving eyes and cute whiskers! They also possess a similar inquisitiveness that most friendly dogs have.

ADVERTISEMENT
Curious Animals

So, it was no surprise that the seals Gary and his friend encountered were very curious as to what they were doing. The seals continued to circle and move closer to the two divers. But what would happen next?

ADVERTISEMENT

A Close Encounter

Gary was surprised that the seals were getting to such close proximity to him. Traditionally, wild seals were very cautious and not the easiest animals to get on your side.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Close Encounter

He was totally dumbfounded that the underwater pups were getting this close!  Luckily, his friend would get the entire chance encounter for them to watch over and over again, and the rest of the world. What a beautiful one at that.

ADVERTISEMENT

Making Contact

As the seals approached, they decided to get up close and personal with Gary like curious little puppies.

ADVERTISEMENT
Making Contact

With that, the seals began to nudge and touch Gary.

ADVERTISEMENT

Playful

Soon, one of the seals was playfully nibbling at his gloved hand. What’s more, this was only a sign of what he had in store.

ADVERTISEMENT
Playful

Would it take a turn for the worst? He didn’t know how to handle this situation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Not Normal Behavior

Divers who come into contact with seals, usually must swim with the seals for several days in order to gain their trust.

ADVERTISEMENT
Not Normal Behavior

Only then is it safe for them to get close to the humans. So this was definitely a risky situation.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Sign Of Aggression

In Gary’s case, the animals didn’t want to leave him alone and were play fighting with him almost instantly.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Sign Of Aggression

It was an incredibly lucky encounter! In many other cases, a seal getting this close as fast as it did, would definitely be a sign of aggression.

ADVERTISEMENT

Graceful In The Water

On land, seals are adorable but clumsy creatures, they waddle around on their flippers, awkwardly, while hopping up on rocks, obstacles, and are even known to clamber up onto the backs of boats. However, in the water, they swim gracefully. They can swim at high speeds, but can turn at any moment so you have to be careful.

ADVERTISEMENT
Graceful In The Water

After they’re born, seals spend about 4 months with their mothers before going out on their own. Perhaps this sweet little guy was simply looking for a new friend when he approached Gary.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Curious Creature

One of the seal pups decided to break protocol and approached Gary almost immediately. It swam directly up to his dive mask and continued to size him up. Eventually, Gary’s friend managed to capture it on film.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Curious Creature

What the camera saw, was that this particular seal didn’t let boundaries get in the way of its curiosity. And Gary would soon find this out! You’ll never guess what happened next.

ADVERTISEMENT

Getting Attached

The little seal was starting to get attached to Gary and very over excited. It was swimming circles around the divers but took a particular liking to Gary. The seal would rub its nose on Gary’s mask before making another circle around the group of divers.

ADVERTISEMENT
Getting Attached

Gary was amazed at his luck. These are experiences for divers that don’t happen all the time, and when they do, you never forget. This was definitely something that this diver would remember forever.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Remarkable Handshake

The seal continued to move in an out of the group, growing more and more comfortable with Gary. Finally, the seal seemed to want to make the meeting official. It placed its flipper on top of Gary’s hand as if to shake it!

ADVERTISEMENT
A Remarkable Handshake

With the formal greeting out of the way, the seal continued the encounter and started nibbling at Gary’s gloved hands. It would seem that the activities were just getting started. Gary simply couldn’t swim away now.

ADVERTISEMENT

Waiting For Its Turn

There was a second seal circling the group, too. It began to come in and nibble at Gary’s legs, just as the seal was doing to his hands. It was as if it was just passing the time until it got the opportunity to shake hands with Gary, too.

ADVERTISEMENT
Waiting For Its Turn

Gary would later comment that he was aware there were multiple seals in the water. They were buzzing in and out of their circle but he was focusing on the friendly little guy who was nibbling at his gloves.

ADVERTISEMENT

An Experienced Diver

Gary was an experienced diver, but even he would admit that he’d never experienced anything like what was happening with the seal. The YouTube video would show that the second seal was swimming in close, trying to join his companion and new friend.

ADVERTISEMENT
An Experienced Diver

However, it would seem that Gary was occupied with the first animal, as if he didn’t notice the other seal. Besides, the first seal wasn’t done playing with Gary. Soon Gary would find himself surrounded by loving seals.

ADVERTISEMENT

More Dog Behavior

Gary and the seal became friends almost immediately. They shook hands with each other and bumped each others noses, which prompted the seal to want more.

ADVERTISEMENT
More Dog Behavior

Gary was surprised when the animal rolled over on its back, just like a dog.

ADVERTISEMENT

What Next?

So, just like he would a dog, Gary started scratching the seal on its belly. After a few minutes of belly rubbing, Gary stopped.

ADVERTISEMENT
What Next?

But the seal was not finished, and it decided to continue patting Gary’s hand with its flipper in excitement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Having A Great Time

From this photo it looks like this seal was smiling and having a whale of a time. Just like a lovable puppy, rolling over on its back again and again not getting bored, and it even prompted Gary  to rub its belly.

ADVERTISEMENT
Having A Great Time

The baby seal had more surprises up its fin, it would seem. Gary was in for one very soon.

ADVERTISEMENT

Enjoying Every Minute

Perhaps the seal was desperate for some interaction, but it was as if they had known each other for years.

ADVERTISEMENT
Enjoying Every Minute

The camera pictured it perfectly, and it is so cute to see them boths smiling holding hands and fin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Always Gentle

Then the hand nibbling began. The seal would move in and give Gary’s gloved hand a gentle nibble. Seals have very sharp teeth that are actually capable of puncturing wetsuits and gloves.

ADVERTISEMENT
Always Gentle

However, it never bit him hard enough, it just wanted to play. Gary was having the best time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Going Viral

After the encounter Gary and his diving buddy posted the video they had recorded to YouTube. You can imagine that it became a sensation.

ADVERTISEMENT
Going Viral

Look at the footage it is just incredible. The video has been viewed over 15 million times worldwide.

ADVERTISEMENT

An Adventurer

Gary was no stranger to adventure, he had been sky-diving and was a thrill seeker, constantly looking for extreme activities.

ADVERTISEMENT
An Adventurer

However, this was his favorite moment to date, and he doesn’t think he will ever top it.  What did he have to say on the matter?

ADVERTISEMENT

A Terrific Experience

For years, Gary has commented about how life changing his experience with the seal was for him. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Terrific Experience

He remarked that it made him happy to be alive, and to also appreciate nature and wildlife so much.

ADVERTISEMENT

Never Gets Old

He has told his story many times over, and he still loves to watch the video over and over again, well we would too.

ADVERTISEMENT
Never Gets Old

Gary has commented several times that all of his friends are probably bored to death by now with his retelling of the encounter with the friendly seal.

ADVERTISEMENT

A Frequent Viewer

It is even more incredible, that seals don’t usually act this way when they first meet humans, so this video proves that you just never know when it comes to wild life.

ADVERTISEMENT
A Frequent Viewer

Just look at the way they are looking at each other lovingly.

ADVERTISEMENT

Help Is Needed

Gary’s video shows just how loving and friendly the animals can be, and why we as humans must do all we can to protect them.

ADVERTISEMENT
Help Is Needed

We hope to see many more videos of its kind to raise awareness about the future of our waters and wildlife who feel the brunt of our pollution and mis treatment.

ADVERTISEMENT

More Sea Pups

It’s clear that the seal Gary encountered lived up to its reputation as a lovable sea puppy. We know Gary would like another opportunity to visit. We’re certain that divers all over the world would like to share a similar experience, us included.

ADVERTISEMENT
More Sea Pups

Focusing on environmental responsibility and animal wellness will ensure that everyone continues to get those opportunities in the future. We hope to have the loving seals with us for years and years to come.