Viral video: Man dares to pet massive spotted hyena, watch what happens next

In a captivating display of trust and bravery, a new viral video has surfaced showcasing an unusual yet heartwarming interaction between a man and a Spotted Hyena. The footage, which has taken social media by storm, shows the man gently petting the large carnivore on its head—a gesture that appears to be reciprocated with clear affection from the hyena.

Spotted Hyenas are bigger than you think. pic.twitter.com/1g5rvkbhAU

— Nature is Amazing  (@AMAZlNGNATURE) July 18, 2024

Unlike the typical cautious approach most people would take when encountering such a formidable animal, this man seems to have discovered the hyena's soft spot. The video, which has garnered an impressive 415,000 views on X (formerly Twitter), highlights the hyena's surprisingly docile reaction to being petted. Instead of showing aggression, the hyena responds in a manner reminiscent of a contented house cat enjoying a scratch.

Social media users have been quick to express their amazement at the extraordinary bond displayed in the video. Many viewers drew comparisons to how domestic cats and dogs react when scratched in their favorite spots. “Our pet cats react the same way when they are rubbed by the ears…” one commenter noted, while another added, “My dog and cat love to be scratched there… They have a lot of nerve endings so whenever you scratch them there, they enjoy it a lot.”

The video has also sparked a few humorous observations, with one user jokingly remarking, “It can also take your leg,” highlighting the surprising and endearing nature of this rare encounter between human and hyena.