It may be a dog-eat-dog world, but – as these photographs attest – best friends come in all shapes and sizes.
The fuzzy, feathered, and furry friends are clearly demonstrating their affection for one another even though their chum choice seems odd at first sight.
The bizarre buddies include a Maasai giraffe who has found an ally in two tiny birds and a welcoming warthog happy to give his comrade a crow and a piggyback ride.
A Northern sea otter rests in the water with a Common Goldeneye drake, while a Persian cat lies on the sofa with a rat.
In Australia, a Tasmanian Devil cuddles with its companion, a kangaroo, in Tasmania; and a Red Deer is beloved by a group of jackdaws.
A Green Sea Turtle appears to be having a lovely time swimming with three Remora fish in the Red Sea, and a Jack Russell finds a firm buddy in a fox cub while walking in Bedfordshire, UK.
The heartwarming photos taken by a slew of photographers from all over the world show that we all need a little assistance from our friends, no matter what species or planet we’re on.