“Zebras Can’t Sleep Alone”: 40 People Share The Most Wholesome Animal Facts They Know

There are plenty of reasons to love animals, from the companionship they can provide us with to the joy that we receive from observing them. But we sometimes forget that many creatures, aside from cats and dogs, are out there spreading joy and positive energy all the time. Elephants, for example, are often considered one of the world’s most wholesome animals because they are one of the only species that is known to grieve the death of their loved ones. 

They have funeral traditions, such as touching the diseased elephant with their trunks, having moments of silence and covering the body with leaves and branches. These rituals to honor the dead can even last multiple days after an elephant has passed. On a lighter note, elephants are also considered wholesome due to their fear of bees. Despite how tiny bees are compared to them, they flee when they hear the buzzing sound and are always sure to warn one another when a bee is near. 

When it comes to the world’s friendliest wild animals, the capybara is certain to make it on the list. These giant rodents weigh about 150 pounds, but they are filled with love and compassion. They are known to be friendly towards a variety of other species, including humans, cats, birds, camels and even crocodiles. In fact, they often serve as a mode of transportation for birds and monkeys who don’t feel like walking or flying. 

In the United States, it is actually legal to have a capybara as a pet in Texas and Pennsylvania, but if you’re looking to adopt, keep in mind that you’ll need to get at least two. They’re extremely social animals who will get lonely without a companion, and they need plenty of space to roam around, ideally with a pool or lake to wade into as well. But if you come across one in the wild, be careful not to get too close. Not because they’re likely to harm you, but because they might be hosting ticks who won’t be as friendly towards you.  

Another one of the world’s friendliest animals that might surprise you is the bearded dragon. Although they do not always bond with their own species, they have been known to be kind to humans. They enjoy being held by people and those that are kept as pets will often spend a few hours hanging out on their owners’ shoulders. Their diets consist of a variety of foods, including greens, fruits, leaves, meat and insects, but we have no reason to fear they'll go for a bite of us. In fact, you can even tell how they’re feeling based on how their colors change, so you might say they wear their feelings on their sleeves (or their scales, same thing right?).   

Another friendly animal that will probably not come as a surprise to all of you pandas out there is none other than, the giant panda! These huge, fluffy bamboo eaters are known to be quite friendly to humans, despite being related to the much more aggressive Grizzly bears. And while they have thankfully been upgraded from endangered to vulnerable in recent years, after being endangered for decades, they still need to be looked out for. In fact, to preserve their national animal, the Chinese government has even created a Giant Panda National Park that is three times the size of Yellowstone National Park in the United States. (Sounds like the park and the pandas are giant!) So if you're a panda lover, you might want to add a trip to China to your bucket list to visit these beautiful, friendly creatures.

Another animal that people might not expect to be too wholesome, due to a similar species being much more aggressive, is the swan. These beautiful birds are actually quite friendly towards humans, compared to geese, as long as you don't mess with a mother's babies. They're romantic as well, as they mate for life, and both partners share responsibilities when it comes to building and taking care of their nest. They also deeply love their families, so they would do anything to protect their partners and children.

Another sweet animal that can make a great pet is the guinea pig. They are actually rodents, rather than pigs, but they got their names due to their physical resemblance to pigs. These cute and friendly creatures make for great companions as they respond well to handling and feeding, and they love to play. They are very vocal as well, which can make it easier to determine how they're feeling when they express themselves. If you're interested in adopting a guinea pig, just make sure you have room for two. They need to have at least one friend, as they will become lonely without a fellow guinea pig by their side.