This is the moment a wild sea lion swam up to a teenager snorkeling off the coast of Mexico with his dad and began embracing him.
Ethan Becker, 15, was in shallow waters with his dad Chuck Becker, 47, when they spotted the friendly sea lion heading straight toward them.
Chuck got out his underwater camera and began filming as soon as he realised the curious animal just wanted to play.
Ethan swam around with the sea lion in the Gulf of California, and let it check him out for about 30 seconds — even hugging him a couple of times.
Ethan Becker, 15, was snorkeling with his dad Chuck Becker, 47, when they spotted a friendly sea lion heading straight toward them
Ethan Becker, 15, was snorkeling with his dad Chuck Becker, 47, when they spotted a sea lion heading straight toward them
The video, filmed on August 3, shows the sea lion playfully biting a stray part of the teenager’s diving suit, before swimming around him some more.
The animal then surfaces to take a gulp of air before diving back down and nibbling on the snorkeler’s flipper.
Ethan pets the sea lion, which keeps on somersaulting while paying close attention to the teenager.
The sea lion hung around Ethan a little more before it swam over to have a look at Chuck.
After inspecting Chuck’s flippers, the animal swam away and left Ethan and Chuck lost for words.
Ethan, who lives in Washington with his dad, described it as a moment he’d never forget and one he’d love to experience again.
The snorkeler pets the sea lion, which keeps on somersaulting while paying close attention to him
The sea lion hung around Ethan a little more before it swam over to have a look at Chuck, who was filing the encounter
He said: ‘I don’t really know how to describe it as I was just totally taken back.
‘It felt so euphoric in that moment that I almost forgot to put the snorkel in my mouth so I could breathe!
‘Looking back, I probably should have been more scared of being bit. But if I was ever given the chance I’d definitely dive there again.’
Source: dailymail.co.uk
