22 Heartwarming Pictures of Animals and Their BFFs

When two completely different creatures of the wild somehow find each other and form an everlasting bond, it does our hearts good. And if the two animals are fluffy and cute? Better. If the two are normally predator and prey? even better.

Other examples abound: pairs of hyenas, baboons, elephants, horses, and male and female dolphins have shown very real signs of friendship, even marked by the collection and analysis of raw data. These data, too, can lead to an even greater understanding; once we have accepted that animals have friendships, and pairs of observable animal friends really exist independent of humanity, we have to ask why. And the answers might reveal something about ourselves that we are often hesitant to admit.

Check out our list of 22 Heartwarming Pictures of Animals and Their BFFs!