You’re not alone—animals have weird friends, too! Animals play an essential role in our ecosystem and do so while forming social networks and long-lasting friendships within their own. Sometimes, though, these relationships occur outside of the expected wildlife realm, making for some hilariously unusual animal friends.

While many inter-species friendships are limited due to habitat, predator-prey relations, and other wildlife realities, some animals (particularly those in rescues) have found their way around the rules, forming bonds bizarre enough to make anyone’s heart melt.

With so many animals facing the threat of extinction due to the effects of climate change (think soaring temperatures, habitat loss, and deforestation), it’s important that we do our part to protect them where and when we can—the better to leave room for these beautiful and inspiring connections.

From a long-necked duo, to a BLT, here are 12 truly unlikely animal friends. 

12 Unusual Animal Friends

1. The Dog and the Elephant

After her rescue from ivory poachers in Africa, Bubbles the elephant was brought to a U.S. safari reserve. There she met Bella the labrador, the pet of a park contractor. The two immediately became fast friends and love to swim together.

Bella has been known to make use of Bubbles’ size, using the elephant as a natural diving board.

2. The Otters and Orangutans

In one Belgium zoo, legend has it that otters and orangutans live in harmony. The two species were originally brought together as a form of enrichment and entertainment, an experiment that resulted in an unlikely friendship between the otters and primates Uijan and Sari.

3. The Chicken and the Puppies

After Mable the chicken was moved into her owner’s home due to a foot injury, she took a liking to the homeowner’s puppies. Mable showed her motherly affection for the pups by covering them to keep them warm, just as she would her own chicks.

4. The Giraffe and the Ostrich

Long necks, unite! Bea the Giraffe and Wilma the ostrich met at the Busch Gardens, where they were raised in the same enclosure. Their natural curiosity soon bloomed into a full-on friendship: even with over 65 acres of land, the two choose to spend time together.

5. The Goat and the Saint Bernards

Hans the goat was adopted by Isolde Mattart after the goat’s mother died and his original owners were unable to properly care for him. Mattart’s Saint Bernards, Julie and Basiel, took on their parental roles with relish, and the trio has since become inseparable.

Hans’ favorite thing to do with his canine parents? Snuggle up for a cuddly nap.

6. Capybaras and Crocodiles

Capybaras are incredibly social creatures and love to socialize with other animals, even those as fierce as crocodiles.

Capybaras and crocodiles can be spotted hanging out in the same waters. This unusual animal friendship works out nicely, as capybaras are too large for crocodiles to swallow, eliminating the risk of, well, bad blood.

Capybaras have even been seen riding on the backs of crocodiles, in case you needed a visual pick-me-up:

7. The Lion and the Daschund

Bonedigger the lion and Milo the dachshund enjoy an unlikely kinship. Bonedigger was born with a metabolic bone disease, leaving him disabled and ultimately with a home at an Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, where he met Milo.

The two have been bonded since Bonedigger was a cub, and their love shows no signs of stopping.

8. The Lion, the Tiger, and the Bear

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Shere Khan the tiger, Baloo the bear, and Leo the lion are best friends known collectively as the BLT. All three suffered abuse, and after their rescue by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary formed an adorable relationship.

Though the friendship started early on, it has continued into the BLT’s adulthood.

9. The Chimpanzee and Tiger Cubs

Two tiger cubs born in a hurricane may sound like the premise of an obscure folk song, but this was the reality for Mitra and Shiva.

After being placed in the Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species in South Carolina, the cubs found love and security in Anjana the chimp, who took on a role of surrogate mother to the cat couple.

10. The Hippo and the Tortoise

Owen the baby hippopotamus’ and Mzee the tortoise’s friendship proves that it’s what’s on the inside that counts—at the end of the day, it’s all about who provides you with comfort.

Owen was rescued from a reef and brought to the Lafarge Ecosystems sanctuary in Kenya, where the pair first met. Frightened, Owen ran and hid behind Mzee. The two have been inseparable ever since.