A heartwarming video of a coyote and a badger playing beneath a busy highway in California is so sweet, you would be forgiven for thinking it is straight out of a Disney film.
The footage captures the moment a coyote pounces playfully on the grass outside of a culvert - a tunnel beneath a roadway - as it waits for its badger companion.
It then wags its tail before heading into the tunnel with its friend following close behind.
The video was recorded by Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST) as part of a research programme with their partners, Pathways for Wildlife.
And as soon as they shared the video to Twitter, Neal Sharma, POST’s Wildlife Linkages Program Manager said: "This video of the coyote and badger is one of our favorites, and it’s clearly captured the hearts of people around the world".
He continued: "We believe this is the first video documenting the pair travelling together through a human-made structure."
Whilst this friendship may seen unlikely, studies show that it's not uncommon for coyotes and badgers to hunt together.
The badger can dig into squirrels' dens and once the prey comes to the surface, the coyote can chase it down.
Actor Chris Evans replied to POST's tweet saying: "I'm choosing to believe that the coyote sounds like Michael J. Fox and the badger sounds like Sam Elliot and they're best friends on an adventure".
Another person replied: "Disney buy the rights yet?"
A third said: "Has the makings of a great buddy movie script."
The team have over 50 remote sensor cameras at existing bridges and culverts around the Southern Santa Cruz Mountains, to help gain a clearer understanding on how wildlife interact with major roadways.
