Paul Nicklen: Leopard seal tried to feed me penguins

Wildlife photographer Paul Nicklen recalls the time a leopard seal tried to feed him penguins.

[randomguy-xpse]

The universal mom "you look thin sweetheart" instinct.

[randomsoldier]

Dang leopard seals got better hospitality than most common folks 😂

[calni]

She said “just try it, you’ll like it”

[fafinaf]

This is actually crazy 😮 I’d feel so bad not being able to communicate to the seal that I don’t eat penguins but thank you so much 😭😂

[NickThorbjørnsen]

Come on man she's working really hard. Just take a fucking bite.

[TheSands]

This guy dives in the ocean:😊. Penguins: bruh

[negroamaw]

Me: What's for dinner?
Seal: Live penguins.

[izzytyler]

Cats do this. They escalate or de-escalate how alive the prey the bring is according to your reaction to it. If you freak out and “pounce” on it they think you are finally learning to hunt and bring you something slightly more mobile/alive each time.

[goldwolf]

What a nice leopard seal😂that’s how you make friends!

[Smashedyomoms]

She was greeting the new neighbors with a fresh cold penguin

[Hello_Spaceboy]

The sea monster equivalent of when your cat brings you a dead bird

[goobertoober]

She was trying to teach him how to hunt penguins. She was teaching him like he was her young

[hibryd]

I can't imagine his emotions experiencing that firsthand. I'm awestruck even hearing it; that such a vicious and capable predator could do something so sociable and considerate. Nature is so powerful and so paradoxical and contrasting.

Tbh though part of feels like you owed it to her to at least _try_ a friggin' penguin. I know you're not supposed to interact with wild subjects, but good god man, how many penguins have to die? And now she can't figure out what she did wrong, or if she does figure out that you're human then she'll just think all human beings are rude prigs that can't take a hint.

[levilively]

If y'all saw the video and the pics he got, you'd become terrified of leopard seals. They are massive and have huge teeth

[aalbertbright]

It's interesting some animals still practice community by welcoming strangers with food just like humans do, or rather as many humans do

[TayTheOdd]

“Oh are you hungry deary? You look famished, lemme go get ya something— oh your not hungry? I’ll get ya something anyways 😃” — the seal probably

[Gigika]

She’s like “would you just look at it!”

[survailkid]

Seal be like "eat eat, you skin and bones"

[AkiraDarkstar]

Seal: taste like chicken bro... Try it.😂

[mattizzle]

When someone offers you food, you be polite and take it, even if it's not your favourite food.