We’ve seen unlikely best friend pairings before but we defy you not to say “Awwwwwwwwwwwww” at this one.

Rick Anderson is a diving instructor from Port Macquarie, Australia, who has an enviable friendship with a (non-human-eating, obvs) Port Jackson shark. The two have been friends for over half a decade, having met when the shark was just a baby.

The 6-foot female shark recognises Rick every time they encounter one another underwater, and she will come over and poke him if he doesn't give her a hug.

Rick told Buzzfeed: “It got to the point that if I didn’t notice her, she would come out and tap me on the legs until I held out my arms for a cuddle, often to the amazement of my students.”

 

 

 

 

 Although this shark has been friendly for seven years, Rick says you should be careful when approaching marine animals: “They’re all wild animals and they’ll let you know if they don’t want to be handled. If you touch some of them, you can also wipe off their protective layers of skin.”