Most people think animals in the wild are aggressive, fierce creatures that are ready to protect their territory at any time, but there are several animals that actually prefer to avoid confrontation and conflict when possible. While they still have their natural instincts, they try to focus on more peaceful activities whenever possible, such as enjoying nature, sleeping, or just hanging out with their friends and family members. Here are 10 peaceful animals in the wild you’ll want to snuggle.

1) Koala

Koalas are known for their cute and cuddly appearance, but don’t let their cuteness fool you. Koalas are aggressive animals that will scratch and bite if provoked. When they feel threatened, they will stand on their back legs and extend their claws. They can also deliver a strong punch with their front paws.

2) Cranes

Cranes may not be your first choice for a pet, but they are actually super friendly. They’re one of the most popular birds worldwide and live on every continent except Antarctica. The crane is also known as the gentle giant because it’s large yet gentle with its prey.

3) Elephants

It’s hard not to feel calm when you’re around an elephant. Elephants are gentle giants, and one of the most peaceful animals out there. They live in matriarchal societies, where they care for their young, mourn their dead and look after each other. Elephants have long been used as symbols for peace and tolerance across many cultures, including Hinduism and Buddhism.

4) Rhinos

Rhinos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They often raid villages for food and can kill people with their horn. Yet, despite these aggressive traits, rhinos are actually quite peaceful when they’re alone. The only time a rhino will charge is if it’s protecting its young, trying to conserve its territory or feels threatened by a perceived predator.

5) Turtles

Turtles are some of the most peaceful animals out there. They spend most of their time on land, resting and sunning themselves, but they can also be found in freshwater rivers and lakes. Turtles have a long lifespan – up to 60 years! To avoid predators, turtles bury themselves beneath sand or leaves at the first sign of danger. When they come out from hiding, they’re often too tired from fighting off predators that they don’t bother to run away.

6) Kangaroos

Kangaroos are large marsupials (mammals) with long powerful legs, large feet adapted for leaping, a long tail for balance and defense, and a small head. They use their strong tails as weapons when threatened. The kangaroo is one of the few large animals that uses hopping as its primary form of movement. The animal moves by hopping on its hind legs while using its forelimbs only for balance.

7) Giraffes

Giraffes are herbivores and their favorite foods include acacia leaves, flowers, twigs, and fruit. They have a long tongue that they use to extract food from trees. Giraffes can get up to eighteen feet tall and can weigh up to two thousand pounds. Even though they may seem intimidating, giraffes are actually one of the most peaceful animals in the wild.

8) Sloths

Sloths might not be everyone’s first choice of cute animals, but they are actually quite peacefull. Sloths spend most of their time hanging upside down from trees and sleeping. They can sleep up to 20 hours per day and are so peaceful that they don’t make any sounds at all.
The sloth is a small mammal, part of the order Pilosa and classified in the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, both found in Central and South America.

9) Bats

There are more than 1,100 different species of bats living around the world, which is about one-fifth of all mammals. Bats are fragile and susceptible animals who deserve our protection.
Bats eat insects, and sometimes fruit and nectar. They use echolocation (which means they use sound waves) to find their way around at night when it’s too dark for them to see. Some people think that they’re blind, but they can actually see just fine!

10) Dolphins

Dolphins are one of the few animals on this list that many people get a chance to see and interact with. Dolphins are mostly found in tropical waters, as they prefer warm water. They are intelligent and social creatures who live in pods where they can rely on one another for protection. Dolphins have an excellent sense of hearing, which helps them navigate the ocean depths and find food sources.