When we think of the word “cuddle,” we usually imagine something soft, like a teddy bear. But what if I told you that the word “cuddle” could also fit with a shark? Yes, a shark. It might sound strange, but there’s a true story that’s surprising and heartwarming.
Rick Anderson is a man who has a very special friend—a shark. This shark is a female Port Jackson shark, and she has markings on her body that help Rick know it’s her. Rick doesn’t feed her, or chase her. Instead, they have a gentle friendship that started over ten years ago.
Rick remembers the first time he met her. She was just a little six-inch baby shark, swimming in the ocean near Nobbys Beach in Australia. Rick was careful not to scare her. Slowly, he reached out his hand and touched her softly. She didn’t swim away. Instead, she let him be near her, and from that moment, they became friends.
Over the years, Rick has kept visiting her. Whenever he went diving, she would come to find him. It was as if she knew him. She would tap his legs, asking for a cuddle, just like a dog might do when it wants attention. And Rick would always give it to her, talking to her softly through his breathing regulator.
Even though Rick loves sharks, he doesn’t see them like most people do. Many people are afraid of sharks, thinking they are dangerous and only want to hurt people. But Rick knows better. He treats sharks like his other animal friends, like dogs or cats. He has spent over 30 years diving with all sorts of sharks—tiger sharks, bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, and even great whites. He believes they are not the monsters people think they are.
Rick wants others to see sharks differently, too. He wants to show that sharks can be gentle and even playful. He hopes his story helps people understand that these creatures aren’t just out there to hurt us. They can be as kind and caring as any other animal, if only we take the time to really see them.
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