WildCreatures

Hummingbirds are beautiful, but tiny creatures. They are among the smallest of the bird species. Their miniature bodies are fragile. And yet, these gorgeous little birds trustingly perch on the hand of this gigantic human to sip nectar from a tiny cup in his outstretched palm. Such a wonderful interaction with these birds is heart warming. Hummingbirds are not only beautiful, they are also very fascinating. They have the highest metabolic rate of any warm blooded animal. They are able to enter a hibernation-like state during food scarcity or periods of rest to compensate for their lower caloric intake. During these times, their metabolism may be reduced to 1/15th its normal rate. There are 360 species of hummingbird found throughout the Americas, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. All species eat insects, although their primary source of food is nectar which they sip from flowers with their specialized beaks and tongues. Aptly named, hummingbirds make an audible humming sound as they hover, due to their rapid wingbeats. Some species flap their wings as many as 90 times per second. Swift flyers, they are also capable of reaching speeds up to 80km/h (50mph) during steep dives. Interacting with nature and observing animals on their own terms is an unforgettable experience. Having such a tiny animal perch contentedly on your hand is something that warms the heart.

Stacey and Scott made all the right choices for their perfect wedding day. The weather was beautiful with sunshine and a warm breeze blowing through the trees. The location, a gorgeous horse farm tucked away in the rolling hills of Southern Ontario countryside, was stunning. The guests, a fun-loving mix of family, friends, and coworkers all had a great time. Only the bride outshone the bridesmaids, all of them looking radiant. The lively and upbeat music kept everyone on their feet after a delicious meal. A beautifully matched couple with a romance like one from a love story, Stacey and Scott are happy and excited for their new life. But something inevitably goes differently from the plan and tests the newlyweds, no matter how well they plan their biggest day ever. Stacey lined up her single friends and sisters for one of the most exciting moments at any wedding, the bouquet toss. The ladies have removed their shoes and let their hair down a little by this point. With the heat, some of the gentlemen have put their jackets and ties away and changed into t-shirts. People have gathered to watch this age old tradition and see which young lady catches the flowers. As expected, Stacey turns her back to the hopefuls and follows the countdown to let the bouquet fly over her shoulder in their direction. What nobody expected is that the bouquet would sail up and become lodged in the chandelier above the crowd. Excitement quickly turned to shock, then laughter with a little confusion about what to do next. The bride can't contain her own laughter as the ladies huddle under the chandelier and gaze upwards. The moment is about to become awkward with no clear solution to the problem. A quick thinking wedding hero in an orange shirt quietly moves in and makes a quick plan with one of the bridesmaids. He hoists her smoothly up over the crowd to the chandelier so she can grab the prize. The ladies cheer and our hero carries the bridesmaid very briefly across the dance floor before setting her down gently and dancing away as if his chivalry was nothing remarkable. The music continues and the dancing resumes without even missing a beat. Our lucky bridesmaid dances happily while holding the bouquet up in victory. The wedding tradition has not been broken. The hero in orange can be seen dancing at the edge of the crowd, but he disappears and finds his way across to the other side of the dance floor out of our sight. With even more smoothness, he dances back into view and across the room, past the bride and meets up with the bridesmaid again. Before the bouquet tossing song has even played out, he takes her hand and spins her around on the floor with a big smile. He's obviously got the moves on the dance floor too and she smiles along with him. You can't help but cheer for him in this moment and wonder if the two even know each other. What could have been an awkward moment while somebody fetched a ladder and made a climb to get the bouquet, actually turned into a funny story that will be told later along with the other happy memories. Quick thinking and gentlemanly action saved the day here. And every wedding could use a hero waiting in the wings to do just that when things don't go according to plan.

Creed is a ten week old bulldog puppy who loves meeting people and other dogs. Sabbath is an 11 week old German Shepherd who also loves all other dogs. You can imagine how thrilled they were to each meet another dog their own size. From a distance, both spied the other and began pulling at their leash and harness, eager to get a sniff and engage in some puppy play. Few things are as cute as happy puppies. These two really show their joy when they make a new friend. Sabbath is so excited he actually rolls onto his back for a belly rub. These two lovable pups were being brought by their owners to pick up kids from a local school. This is a great opportunity to socialize a puppy and get them used to people and other dogs. As people gathered in the school yard for their little people to be let out, the crowd couldn't help but get drawn into the cuteness of these two. They whimpered and pawed at each other and sniffed all around. Creed is <a href="https://rumble.com/v4dsw9-adorabull-bulldog-puppy-snores-while-he-sleeps.html" target="_blank">small</a> now, but you can tell by his loose skin that he will grow to an impressive size. Big chested and muscular, these dogs are intimidating looking, but they are among the most affectionate and gentle of the popular breeds. With proper socialization, they are cuddle monsters and fantastic family pets. Sabbath also has a lot of growing to do and his paws give an indication for how large he will be in a few months. <a href="https://rumble.com/v47tvf-25-german-shepherds-doing-german-shepherd-things.html" target="_blank">Shepherds</a> are a smart breed, loyal and strong, with a very good temperament for being part of a family with kids. They are an assertive breed and this sort of socializing at an early age is extremely wise. Both of these puppies are impossible to resist and they both get lots of attention wherever they go.

These puppies were rescued from homelessness and starvation in a northern Ontario community. They are being fostered by loving caregivers until they are old enough to go to their forever homes. It's a whole basket of irresistible cuteness as they are lined up for snuggles and dinner. At two weeks old, these puppies are tiny but they will double in size in the weeks leading up to their adoption. They were part of a massive airlift rescue when a northern community reached out for help. Like these puppies, dogs of all ages found love and a second chance at life.

The Spotted Eagle Ray is the most beautiful of all the stingrays. They have 2-6 venomous barbs on their long tails. They can reach 16 feet in length and have a wingspan up to 10 feet wide. They reach a weight of over 500lbs. Despite their size and stingers, they are extremely gentle creatures. Normally shy and solitary, it is highly unusual for a diver to get close enough to touch one. This photographer, on a night dive, was following behind one that actually circled back and glided past his nose, lightly touching his hand with its wing. Such close encounters are a once in a lifetime experience that would thrill any diver.

Sea lions in the Galapagos Islands inhabit most beaches and even rocky shores. They have been residents of the islands since long before people lived there. They act like they own the beach and it’s understandable that they feel this way. They live in complete harmony with the human inhabitants who have complete respect for the animals. People keep a respectful distance and insist that the tourists who are privileged to visit also do the same. In fact, the people are committed to not interfering with nature in any way. For this reason, sea lions pay little attention to people. They are often found sunbathing on the same sand, only a few feet apart. This can create some entertaining scenarios and it gives people a close up look at their funny behavior. Of course, the tourists here are not accustomed to the large animals spread out all over and they often snap pictures and record videos of these clowns of nature. The babies can be playful and curious in the water and although people are expected to keep their distance, it can be impossible with these very agile creatures swimming in circles around you. It is one of the few times when it is acceptable to interact, carefully, with the animals, as it is completely on their terms and it can’t actually be avoided if they decide that it’s play time. The adult females are indifferent and will look at people with only mild curiosity. They are often too busy hunting for food or caring for their young. The adult males are completely different, and when they are sexually mature, they are territorial and aggressive with any other male sea lions and even with people. This large male waddled up on the beach, barking to announce his presence, and claimed his spot beside a female from his colony. In an unusual and comical display of affection, he lay down beside her, snuggled up close and put a protective fin over her, exactly as a human would do. A baby sea lion lying nearby can be heard as he starts to cry for milk from his mom. He waddles over too but his timing is very unfortunate because the male does not want his lady or their cuddle time to be disturbed. The baby approaches and starts to move in but the bull barks and shakes his head. The baby is not deterred and the bull lunges at him with a pretend attempt to bite. The open mouth and big teeth are enough to give the baby second thoughts about milk and he scrambles away out of reach. He seems to be thinking of trying again as he circles around, but the bull gives him another warning. He waddles off camera but his cries of protest can be heard as the bull settles down again with the mother. Mom seems indifferent to both of them, clearly more interested in sleeping than in much else. The bull gets comfortable again, adjusting his back fins on her face and then finally settles beside her, giving her an affectionate caress as they both drift off to sleep. For now, the milk will just have to wait.

The orange spotted filefish is a very unusual creature that has the ability to dramatically change its appearance to blend in with its surroundings. Like the octopus and a select few other fish, the filefish uses color changes and spots for camouflage. Some filefish have a very specific diet, eating primarily one type of coral that changes their smell so they cannot be easily be detected by predators such as eels. These bizarre and beautiful fish are sluggish swimmers but their highly adapted means of avoiding predators makes up for this.

Humpback whales are one of the most incredible and awe-inspiring creatures in the ocean.They are massive and powerful, yet gentle and peaceful creatures. They reach a length of up to 52 feet and can weigh up to 30 tons. Despite their enormous size, they are harmless. They eat plankton, krill, and small fish.They are almost incapable of harming a human and there have been no recorded cases of humans ever being injured by a humpback. Humpbacks migrate around the world through almost all tropical and polar waters, feeding in the cold waters of Norway, Canada, and other areas in the North Atlantic. They are seasonal feeders, storing up huge fat reserves to carry them through their mating and birthing seasons in tropical waters. During the months of July to September, they are found in abundance in Tonga, waters free from predators. Humpback whales are mammals and they breathe air, like we do. They have modified nostrils on the top of their heads and they typically surface every ten to fifteen minutes to breathe. Even when resting, they need to come to the surface periodically for a breath of air. These thrilled swimmers were in the water in Tonga, near the island of Vava'u in the South Pacific. They had been hoping to see humpback whales close up. They were part of an eco tour that had taken them out on the ocean for a humpback encounter. Quietly slipping into the water, these swimmers waited at the surface as their guide explained that there were two whales on the ocean floor that were sleeping or resting beneath them. After a few minutes, they were able to see the giant animals majestically rise directly under them. The whales floated slowly upwards, almost close enough to touch. Incredibly, these whales actually had their eyes closed throughout this encounter. Looking directly at the face of a creature so large is a humbling and magical experience. These whales can be over 100 years old and they are as large a city bus. To see one, or even two, in person is an unforgettable experience. Whales are sensitive to changes in the cleanliness and temperature of the world around them. The food they feed on is equally sensitive to environmental changes. We are wise to do what we can to ensure that these beautiful creatures are able to survive.

An elephant mother and her adorable baby are enjoying a meal together when affection turns to a playful headbutt. The friendliness quickly returns and the two carry on eating. These are rescued elephants who have found refuge at The Elephant Nature Park in Chang Mai, Thailand. Previously abused or exploited elephants are given a second chance at life in this incredible sanctuary.

The Elephant Nature Park in Chang Mai, Thailand is a place where rescued elephants go for freedom and a second chance. Many were circus performers or had been neglected and abused in some other way. Guests like this young woman can interact with the elephants which helps them rebuild a sense of trust in people.

This is Felix, a three week old foal who lives on a beautiful farm near Peterborough, Ontario. He spends his days playing and wandering in the meadows with his mother, Fling, an exceptionally well-dispositioned mare. Felix runs and plays with great enthusiasm. After running full speed and jumping all around, he's understandably tired. Felix had been playing with his new buddy, Dave, on this particular sunny day. He chased Dave around and then Dave chased him. But when enough was enough, he flopped down on the ground at Dave's feet and rolled like a giant puppy who wanted a belly rub. How could anyone resist?! Felix lay on some straw and demanded attention with his hooves, just like a dog will paw at it's owner for affection. He wiggled and pushed his way right up against Dave, who was only too happy to get down on the ground for a cuddle with the baby horse. What's even more surprising than a baby horse who wants too cuddle is a patient and tolerant mother who will allow it. Fling is an exceptional mare, and her dispposition is as gentle and as friendly as you can imagine. Horses are huge animals and they are naturally wary, even of humans. For Fling to graze contentedly nearby without objecting was truly remarkable. Even when Dave leaned right over Felix to rub his belly, Fling didn't bat an eye. She did keep a careful watch, never straying too far from Felix as he napped and cuddled. Mares will not venture far from their foal's side in the first few weeks when they are especially vulnerable to predators. Ever ready to defend her baby, Fling would be protective if the need arose. But Felix was obviously enjoying the attention and Fling was obviously aware that her precious baby was in no danger. Is there anything as cute as a cuddly newborn horse?

Bandit and Lil Bear are great friends. They play together in the most adorable way. One of their favorite games is tug-of-war. Lil Bear usually initiates this game by bringing a chew toy in his mouth and standing in front of Bandit expectantly. Bandit never says no to the challenge. He is exceedingly gentle with his little friend, as if he is aware of his size and strength and he takes obvious care in how high he swings the smaller dog. If there is too much of the rope between them, Bandit will swing and drag Lil Bear without lifting his feet off the ground. It seems very obvious that part of the fun for both is getting Lil Bear airborne. Even Bandits huge legs were not long enough with the grip they had, so he climbed up on the footrest in front of the television in order to lift Lil Bear properly. Once he's up there, Lil Bear hangs on tight as he is swung like he's on carnival ride. This move shows an impressive amount of cleverness on the young Great Dane's part. Few things bring a smile to our faces as big or as quickly as happy dogs. To see animals playing and showing complete joy is a beautiful thing. An enormous puppy like Bandit is even more endearing. But as playful as Bandit is, he also has a very serious job to do. Bandit is a service dog for a young lady named Danielle. She is autistic and faces several challenges, including serious anxiety. Bandit is specially trained to help her deal with this anxiety and distract her when she has trouble managing the symptoms. He recognizes her behaviors and uses his special skills to shower Danielle with love and affection at just the right times. Bandit brings her comfort when she needs it most, companionship throughout the day, and he helps her in many other ways. He is also trained to help locate her if she becomes lost. Bandit is a very well loved member of his family by the other dogs and by his people. Great Danes are a highly intelligent breed and they are fiercely loyal. Known for their protectiveness, as well as their trustworthiness, most people who have the good fortune of having a Dane say they have fallen completely in love with the breed. Danes are adorably clumsy as they grow, majestic and graceful as they reach maturity, and dignified in their golden years. The only downside to having a Great Dane is that they, like other giant breeds, have a lifespan that is usually shorter than most dogs. Those who have them get to love them for a shorter period of time, but certainly no less so. Bandit is a wonderful and gentle soul who shows us all what true happiness looks like.

Nurse sharks are like the puppies of the deep. They follow divers over the coral out of curiosity and the possibility of a free meal. These sharks will cruise around and among the divers and will often come right up to them. It's hard to resist giving them a little pat or a stroke as they swim past. This young diver did just that, scratching the young shark on the head and back. The little fellow stayed with the divers for an hour as they explored the reef.

Kristy and Dave had hoped to see a hammerhead shark some day but didn't expect a curious 15 foot shark like this to come up and check them out. It quickly decides that they aren't food as it passes by closely. But it isn't close enough for Kristy. She's in hot pursuit to get her video, but when the shark turns back around towards her she has second thoughts about getting too close...

This calf has a serious case of the zoomies! Check it out!

Raven is a big puppy with a big love for unusual foods. She adores strawberries almost as much as she adores steak or chicken. As her family sits outside at the picnic table, Raven makes sure that they don't forget about her share! Raven is a dog who has found her forever family and she has them wrapped around her finger. She enjoys free roam of several acres of grass and trees throughout the day. She also lives very near an immense forest where she is taken almost every day. She explores off leash, romping along the trails and running freely through the trees. She chases chipmunks, although she has never caught one and she gallops with the grace and beauty of a thoroughbred horse. In the summers, Raven spends a lot of her time at a cottage where she roams freely on the island. She has huge dog beds in every room, but she prefers the couch and she stretches out like she owns it. Anyone who has ever owned a Great Dane knows that they take up space and command the room with their massive presence. Raven is a big baby and she takes her stuffed animals to bed each night. She loves to be tucked in with her cozy blanket and she snores away until it is time for breakfast. Raven is living the life. She is a beautiful soul.

Koda is one and a half years old and he has a beautiful personality. He will put up with almost anything without protest. This is a good thing because he belongs to a family with young kids who adore him and love to play with him. He soaks up all the love and affection good-naturedly. He also loves to play with toys that he can fetch or chew on, and he loves his treats. Surprisingly, Koda has found that he is very fond of lollipops. When his owner, Tianna holds the lollipop, he slowly licks it and savors it until it is completely gone. He’s a pretty smart dog and it’s possible that he has learned from his people just how these treats should be enjoyed, and it’s also possible that he’s just a patient dog who knows it will last much longer if he doesn’t crunch it all at once. It’s impossible not to laugh at Koda as he does the things he does. He has an irresistible face and he doesn’t even seem to mind being laughed at. Koda will do almost anything to be included in the fun. He loves hiking and walking with his people, lazing on the couch for TV time, playing with toys, and eating yummy things. Of course, he also knows how to use that face to his advantage when it’s time to beg for more treats. Koda is a mix of German shepherd, husky, and golden retriever. Commonly called "mutts", these mixed breeds often combine the best of several breeds and have the most wonderful temperaments. They seem to make the best family dogs too. As you can see, Koda is a beloved family member and he enjoys all the privileges of family, including having the odd people treat now and then.

These swimmers in the Galapagos Islands were beyond thrilled when a a group of young sea lions showed up in the water and surrounded them for playtime and a curious inspection. The beaches and rocky shores in the Galapagos Islands are inhabited by sea lions. They are large animals that look and act so much like our lovable canine companions that they are often referred to as "sea dogs" or "ocean puppies". The older sea lions are not very interested in humans. They can actually be quite grumpy if they are approached too closely. Males are especially territorial, and weighing well over 150kg (300lbs), with a head larger than a family dog, they are formidable animals. But the juvenile sea lions are curious and fun loving creatures that will investigate anything interesting in the water. These sea lions suddenly surrounded a couple who were swimming. They were fascinated with the camera and with the pair of clumsy humans who tried to mimic their movements under water. As the couple dove and rolled, the sea lions came closer and it seemed like they wanted to engage in a game. The sea lions floated past on their backs and blew bubbles as if they wanted to teach the humans how to do the same. They arced and swam gracefully in circles around Kristy who was delighted to have such an interaction with wild sea lions. A trip to the Galapagos Islands will provide a close look at some of the most unique and diverse life on the planet. The sea lions are one of the most interesting of all of them.

This recording shows a very mysterious white object flying directly at and under a small drone that was recording the scenery around Peterborough, Ontario. The day was uneventful. It was sunny and calm with a wind that was barely perceptible. The flight path took the small drone out from the Otonabee riverbank towards a scenic train bridge. The drone operator is directly behind the drone as it begins the flight at 12m (36 feet) above the water. The drone was flying forward at 40km/h (28mph), lifting slowly, recording at 4k, 30fps. The Silver Bean Cafe is behind the drone and the only reason for drone pilot being here this day is to record the scenery around the cafe. Nothing unusual was seen when the recording occurred. But looking through the footage that evening, the owner saw a fast moving object flying through the field of view at the 15 second point in the video. Initially, he thought it was a bird, but this is extremely unlikely because birds do not like the noise of a drone and they will simply not fly so close to one if they can avoid it. Closer analysis shows that the object was visible for less than .5 seconds. Frame by frame inspection shows that it appears and clears the camera view in 15 frames. It is first visible when it dips below the tree line somewhere near the train bridge that is well over 150m (450 feet) away from the drone. A calculation estimates the speed of the object at over 1080km/h (671mph). No bird is able to travel a this speed, especially in a horizontal direction. The slowed down and enlarged footage shows that the object has no wings. It does not look anything like an animal. It is slightly translucent, like plastic and has a different shape than a bird. But litter blowing through the air cannot reach such a speed. It also cannot travel in this manner without extreme wind. A small recreational drone could not remain stable in a gust of wind strong enough to carry this object. A projectile fired from the shore could possibly reach high speeds, but this is too large for a projectile and it is not the correct shape. The object also approaches at a slightly downward trajectory that is too flat for anything that could be launched from shore. The drone shows a small peninsula with houses and a lake beyond. There are no positions high enough to fire at the drone and doing so would have caused the object to strike the cafe behind the drone, or at least the water right in front of the cafe. There is simply no explanation that makes sense enough to explain this high velocity object appearing in this video. Any suggestions or discussion is welcome. But for now, this object is complete mystery.

Kristy has been scuba diving for 30 years, having dipped her fins in the waters of Belize, Mexico, Galapagos Islands, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. She is a seasoned diver who has met whale sharks, turtles, and many other creatures who call the ocean home. But until this moment, she had never had an encounter with a manta ray. It was on her bucket list to see these magnificent animals in the wild so she traveled to the island of Komodo in Indonesia. Kristy drifted along with her camera, 20m (60 feet beneath the waves, watching white tipped reef sharks and sea turtles glide by. Suddenly, out of the blue, an enormous manta ray appeared and headed straight for her. It changed its course to meet her face on, as if curious about this clumsy human. Just before colliding with her, it slowly banked to the left and passed almost directly over here head. Kristy was given a close look at the underside of one of the world's most majestic animals. and to make things even better, the first manta ray was followed closely by a second. The trailing manta passed by almost as closely, leaving Kristy astonished and thrilled with the encounter. Many scuba divers go their whole lives without seeing one of these rays. They are huge, sporting wingspans of up to 6m (18 feet). When fully grown, only large sharks and killer whales are a threat to these rays. They can swim very rapidly to escape predators. But manta rays have only one pup at a time, making it difficult for them to compensate for losses due to fishing. Unsubstantiated claims that their gill rakes have medicinal properties have made the manta a popular catch for the Chinese markets.

India is home to an incredible variety of wild animals, including the peacock, one of the most spectacular birds found anywhere. They are large and beautifully adorned with the longest feathers found anywhere. The Indian peafowl will eat snakes and rodents, but its diet is largely made up of insects. These peafowl have found a nest of ants and they hungrily devour as many as they can. But the ants have signaled that there is trouble and the excretion of a pheromone from a few have alerted the others and brought them out in an agitated frenzy. They will bite anything that they sense is a threat and the peacocks suddenly find themselves in over their heads. The swarm of fire ants on the ground is visible as they move rapidly, in search of any predator. Their great numbers allow them to overwhelm even a large predator with multiple stings and strong venom. If these peacocks do not leave the area, they can easily die from the venom. In such a case, the ants will devour the peacocks, turning the tables. The male has sensed the presence of the ants and he tries to eat them off his feet and legs as they sting him aggressively. The female decides there is no hope of winning and she takes flight almost immediately. Eventually, the male leaves as well. The fire ants cannot follow him far, but the few that remain on his legs will hold on and sting him mercilessly until he rids himself of the tiny warriors. Imported red fire ants are an invasive species to India, having made their way from South America. The stings cause itching, burning, and swelling, often resulting in blisters. In rare cases anaphylactic shock can occur and may cause death. Nests hold between 100,000 and 250,000 ants and they are a formidable opponent for any animal.

In a remote northern Ontario community, these pups were living under a porch and had been orphaned when their mother disappeared. The mother was a stray husky/shepherd cross and the father is a wolf who belongs to a wild pack that frequents the woods near the town. Residents had been feeding the mother and trying to help her when she took shelter under their porch to have her litter. They kept a close eye on the mother and her young but she didn't return one day. Waiting as long as they could for her, they knew that the pups would not survive without warmth and nourishment much longer. Rescuers crawled under the porch to bring the pups out to safety. These pups are 5 weeks old and are thriving now, with the help of caring foster parents. They will be fed and nurtured and placed in loving homes when they are old enough. Wolf dog hybrids have unique needs in terms of exercise and freedom to run in a large area. It is inadvisable to intentionally breed wolves and dogs but in more remote areas, it occasionally happens on its own. These pups are experiencing their first taste of freedom as they are let loose to run around together in a large enclosure. You can see their obvious happiness as they enjoy time to explore and play.

Chris has had a unique way with animals all his life, so it was no surprise to see a young cormorant quickly become so comfortable with him that it just waddles up on the rock to sit beside him! The cormorant responds with obvious curiosity as Chris speaks quietly to it as if nothing is unusual. Cormorants are extremely intelligent birds that dive for fish. It is rare to see one approaching a human so willingly.

A critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle cruises over the reef, looking for food. When divers come close to get it on film, the relaxed turtle actually swims with them! It even swims right up to the camera, providing an incredible view of its face in stunning detail. Catching a glimpse of such a rare turtle is an exciting experience for divers, but being able to swim with one like this is unforgettable. This turtle shows no fear as it regards them with mild curiosity.

India is home to two species of wild monkeys that run free in the forests and cities, and congregate along roadsides. They are seemingly anywhere that food can be found, such as beside this roadside fruit and vegetable stand. Dave, a tourist from Canada has always been fascinated with monkeys and he couldn't resist the opportunity to go up to these ones with a few snacks to share. The monkeys had come down from the hills and nearby forest to climb and run on a wall along this busy highway. The owner of the fruit stand and a few customers had been sharing food with the monkeys, a common practice. Somewhat used to humans, they were eager to take a banana or two from a friendly hand. There had also been peanuts spread out along the wall and on the ground, which the monkeys were snacking on. Rhesus macaques are powerfully built and can grow to 64cm (25 inches) and weigh up to 11kg (24 lb). Agile and quick, they have the potential to be a defend themselves against most animals that would threaten them. In a troop of dozens, very few animals would take them on. They have powerful jaws and formidable teeth. Monkeys in India have become heavily dependent on human populations for food. They forage for leftovers and scraps in trash, and they receive a considerable amount of food from tourists. Now, with the declining tourism following the coronavirus fears, monkeys are finding food much more scarce. This has led to unsettled monkey troops and fighting among monkeys for what little food there is to be had. People can't help but be fascinated with these animals. They look so much like we do, and behave much like we do, that we see ourselves in a lot of their behavior.