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Why do humans pat animals on the head? I know we do it with cats and dogs, but I recently saw footage of a diver trying to pat an octopus. (continued)

Felix Ansell
Haworth, West Yorkshire, UK

Because it is either much safer than patting anywhere within easy reach of teeth or claws, or, in the case of an octopus, 87.5 per cent easier than shaking limbs.

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