Ripley the baby Toucan is rippin’ it on social media. This adorable, long-beaked beauty is all over the internet wowing everyone with her intelligence, lovable nature and canine antics. Yes…..One-year-old Ripley thinks she is a puppy. All that’s missing is a tail and small, wet nose. She is a great cuddle buddy, loving pet and curious creature to her owners who reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her master is named Brock, and he cuddles with Ripley just as if she were a puppy. He strokes her neck and tickles her behind the ears, and she curls up to her owner.
Instead of a bark, Ripley shows her presence by flapping her small wings and making a distinct clacking nose. Brock claims the sounds she makes indicate what kind of mood the beautiful, tropical bird is in:
“In this instance the ‘clacking’ was just her being silly I think,” Brook explained to a reporter. “But they use the clicking sound to show many different moods, depending on the pitch. Usually it means they’re contented. But they do it just to try and talk to you as well.”
Like a puppy, Ripley likes playing with toys or objects she finds around the house. Her wings are small so she cannot fly very far, but that’s okay, because she cutely hops around the house. Her large, long, yellow-orange beak looks heavy, but it really isn’t. It’s lightweight and made of keratin protein. In fact, a toucan like Ripley will come to weigh only 1.5 pounds as an adult bird and measure about 29 inches long.
Fans fall in love with Ripley for her loving nature, puppy-like behavior and adorable snuggling. When Brock goes out driving, Ripley sits perched on his right shoulder enjoying the ride, looking out the window and playfully biting Brock’s nose.
Let’s face it. Ripley is one incredible toucan. She even has a large Facebook following. To check her out, click here.