Life on Earth would be so dull withoutanimals. Lucky for us, there are more than 8 million different species of them on the planet, many of which we might never encounter in our lifetime. Fromminiatureto majestic, graceful to gross, each has its own set of characteristics and quirks. And while most are pretty set in their ways, sometimes they go off the rails and malfunction. Much to the amusement of anyone who has the delight of witnessing it.Animals Going Goblin Modeis the Facebook page you never knew you needed. It has over 21,000 followers and shares hilarious animal shenanigans. All creatures, great and small, are caught in the act of being completely unhinged. If you thought some people were crazy, wait until you see what our animal counterparts get up to.Bored Pandahas picked the top posts from the page and some might leave you cackling or howling with laughter. Don’t miss the really interesting chat we had with human-animal bond expertPhilip Tedeschi.He’s a leader in his field and an advisor for pet-sitting platformRover.This post may includeaffiliate links.

Life on Earth would be so dull withoutanimals. Lucky for us, there are more than 8 million different species of them on the planet, many of which we might never encounter in our lifetime. Fromminiatureto majestic, graceful to gross, each has its own set of characteristics and quirks. And while most are pretty set in their ways, sometimes they go off the rails and malfunction. Much to the amusement of anyone who has the delight of witnessing it.

Animals Going Goblin Modeis the Facebook page you never knew you needed. It has over 21,000 followers and shares hilarious animal shenanigans. All creatures, great and small, are caught in the act of being completely unhinged. If you thought some people were crazy, wait until you see what our animal counterparts get up to.Bored Pandahas picked the top posts from the page and some might leave you cackling or howling with laughter. Don’t miss the really interesting chat we had with human-animal bond expertPhilip Tedeschi.He’s a leader in his field and an advisor for pet-sitting platformRover.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

A small bird amusingly rides on a large fluffy dog, showcasing animals going full goblin mode.

If there’s anyone who knows a lot about animals going off-script, it’s got to bePhilip Tedeschi. As a professor and researcher on the human-animal bond, he’s a leader in his field and the human-animal connection expert advisor for pet-sitting platformRover. We were thrilled when he agreed to chat with Bored Panda and share some insights into the weird and wonderful happenings in the animal kingdom.Tedeschi almost didn’t follow this career path. He initially studied veterinary medicine and planned to specialize in large animal care. But it was his side hustle teaching horseback riding to other college students while working as a student vet technician that changed his trajectory.“During this time, I was asked to teach a group of recently de-institutionalized persons withschizophreniahow to ride horses. That experience changed my career path because watching these individuals interacting with horses was incredible – almost magical,” he tells Bored Panda.“You would see right in front of your eyes, changes that, although now we have greater understanding of at the time, could not easily be explained, such as persons beginning to talk who were non-verbal, increased physical and cognitive normalization and self-regulation. This experience resulted in my interest in thehealth-promoting benefits of interacting withanimalsand the ethical considerations for how we treat other animals.“Tedeschi soon decided to change his academic direction and instead of studying animal medicine, was given permission to formulate his own degree program where he studied human-animalrelationships.“At the time, it was not a degree program but now several universities have programs focused on human-animal interaction (HAI) and the human-animal bond (HAB). My thesis was entitledBio-Affiliation - The Human-Animal Connection,” he says.

If there’s anyone who knows a lot about animals going off-script, it’s got to bePhilip Tedeschi. As a professor and researcher on the human-animal bond, he’s a leader in his field and the human-animal connection expert advisor for pet-sitting platformRover. We were thrilled when he agreed to chat with Bored Panda and share some insights into the weird and wonderful happenings in the animal kingdom.

Tedeschi almost didn’t follow this career path. He initially studied veterinary medicine and planned to specialize in large animal care. But it was his side hustle teaching horseback riding to other college students while working as a student vet technician that changed his trajectory.

“During this time, I was asked to teach a group of recently de-institutionalized persons withschizophreniahow to ride horses. That experience changed my career path because watching these individuals interacting with horses was incredible – almost magical,” he tells Bored Panda.

“You would see right in front of your eyes, changes that, although now we have greater understanding of at the time, could not easily be explained, such as persons beginning to talk who were non-verbal, increased physical and cognitive normalization and self-regulation. This experience resulted in my interest in thehealth-promoting benefits of interacting withanimalsand the ethical considerations for how we treat other animals.”

Tedeschi soon decided to change his academic direction and instead of studying animal medicine, was given permission to formulate his own degree program where he studied human-animalrelationships.

“At the time, it was not a degree program but now several universities have programs focused on human-animal interaction (HAI) and the human-animal bond (HAB). My thesis was entitledBio-Affiliation - The Human-Animal Connection,” he says.

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Two dogs with hilarious expressions, one looking shocked, embodying full “goblin mode” humor.

Wet chickens resting in water, exhibiting hilarious “goblin mode” behavior.

It goes without saying that the expert has since encountered all sorts of good and bad animal behavior. We asked him to share some of the quirky moments he’s witnessed during his career.“I’ve seen animals do many amazing andfunnythings. There is no question that animals have a sense of joy, humor, and a penchant for games and play. If you are observant, you can see many animals, including ourcatsanddogs, smile and laugh,” he told us.“I’ve seen many humorous events with animals, and watching people and animals interact with one another, for me, is still one of the most enjoyable activities. Many of the humorous moments surround a cat or a dog getting the zoomies or finding unique ways to play. I especially recall having an amazing cat that liked to ambush unsuspecting people around the house and apparently loved their startled reaction and scrams…. the joy it brought Dexter never failed to get a laugh.”

It goes without saying that the expert has since encountered all sorts of good and bad animal behavior. We asked him to share some of the quirky moments he’s witnessed during his career.

“I’ve seen animals do many amazing andfunnythings. There is no question that animals have a sense of joy, humor, and a penchant for games and play. If you are observant, you can see many animals, including ourcatsanddogs, smile and laugh,” he told us.

“I’ve seen many humorous events with animals, and watching people and animals interact with one another, for me, is still one of the most enjoyable activities. Many of the humorous moments surround a cat or a dog getting the zoomies or finding unique ways to play. I especially recall having an amazing cat that liked to ambush unsuspecting people around the house and apparently loved their startled reaction and scrams…. the joy it brought Dexter never failed to get a laugh.”

Vintage photo of a scruffy cat embodying “goblin mode,” labeled “One Eye Pete” with handwritten “Tough, I am."

Dog curiously interacting with a person in a cow costume in a shop.

Cat in “goblin mode,” trying to eat a chocolate cupcake through a glass table, tongue and mouth open wide.

As we know, puppies are generally in full-time play mode and love to play tug-of-war and hide-and-seek, says Tedeschi, and he’s had buckets of fun observing his own dog go off the rails.“Watching my dog attack a cardboard box and run from one end of the yard with a giant cardboard box on their head, even though it resulted in them not being able to see where they were going and running into everything and everyone, was toofunny,” he says.“Possibly one of the funniest experiences I had, however, was from the human side of the story. I was attending a prestigious and rather fancy event at the university when one of the featured guests and a very high-ranking administrator came over and whispered in my ear… ‘Why does my dog chew up my underwear when I go on business trips?’ It was a funny TMI situation.”

As we know, puppies are generally in full-time play mode and love to play tug-of-war and hide-and-seek, says Tedeschi, and he’s had buckets of fun observing his own dog go off the rails.

“Watching my dog attack a cardboard box and run from one end of the yard with a giant cardboard box on their head, even though it resulted in them not being able to see where they were going and running into everything and everyone, was toofunny,” he says.

“Possibly one of the funniest experiences I had, however, was from the human side of the story. I was attending a prestigious and rather fancy event at the university when one of the featured guests and a very high-ranking administrator came over and whispered in my ear… ‘Why does my dog chew up my underwear when I go on business trips?’ It was a funny TMI situation.”

Cat on a bed striking a playful pose, showing off its “goblin mode” antics.

Orange cat lounging on a bed with a humorous expression, embodying full goblin mode.

A rat sitting on the back of a fluffy orange kitten, showcasing animals going off the rails in a playful moment.

“Although he denied overfeeding his pony, in a moment of guilt, my friend admitted that his pony would come stick his head through his office window almost every day and he could not resist sharing candy bars because his pony loved them so much.”

Two cats going off the rails as one eagerly licks a treat while the other looks on with wide eyes and tongue out.

Dog covered in mud lying in a muddy hole, depicting animals going full goblin mode.

A small duckling perched on a human arm appearing playful and cheeky, embodying funny animals in “goblin mode”.

Tedeschi tells us thatanimalsare able to mimic human behaviors. “Our companion dogs might be the most likely to mimic our behavior because we have been co-evolving with them as a species for thousands of years – they are very careful observers of human behavior, especially those they live with,” he says.“Otherhighly intelligent animals such as elephants, cetaceans and primates have also been found to be capable and curious about communicating with humans. This can happen in part because all animals are highly sentient beings and have the capacity for social and emotional learning and hold the capacity for deep emotional lives and complex thoughts much like humans do.“The expert says animals can experience a wide range of emotional experiences including joy, fear and anxiety, jealousy and curiosity, and grief and sadness.

Tedeschi tells us thatanimalsare able to mimic human behaviors. “Our companion dogs might be the most likely to mimic our behavior because we have been co-evolving with them as a species for thousands of years – they are very careful observers of human behavior, especially those they live with,” he says.

“Otherhighly intelligent animals such as elephants, cetaceans and primates have also been found to be capable and curious about communicating with humans. This can happen in part because all animals are highly sentient beings and have the capacity for social and emotional learning and hold the capacity for deep emotional lives and complex thoughts much like humans do.”

The expert says animals can experience a wide range of emotional experiences including joy, fear and anxiety, jealousy and curiosity, and grief and sadness.

Dog in goblin mode smiling mischievously, after chewing a TV remote, sitting on a wooden floor.

A fluffy white bird in a hand, showcasing hilarious animals in goblin mode.

White puppy sleeping in a bowl of kibble, showcasing animals in goblin mode.

Man in work uniform taking a selfie with a deer in a forklift, showcasing animals going off the rails.

Dog staring at its reflection in a mirror, appearing surprised and confused, embodying “goblin mode” behavior.

A bear in mid-air surrounded by officers, resembling animals going off the rails, near a tree and a trampoline.

He explains that humans have co-evolved with dogs and cats for thousands of years and have learned to understand eachother’s nuanced actions, expressions and behaviors with a high degree of accuracy.“For example, in studies looking at humans’ ability to accurately discern the purpose of a dog’s vocalization, people have been found to be relatively discerning evaluators of differing types of dog vocalization. If observant, we can often recognize changes in emotions, including sadness and grief inanimalswhen they are separated from or lose a friend, or conversely see joy when taken off leash or when welcoming home a member of the family pack.”

He explains that humans have co-evolved with dogs and cats for thousands of years and have learned to understand eachother’s nuanced actions, expressions and behaviors with a high degree of accuracy.

“For example, in studies looking at humans’ ability to accurately discern the purpose of a dog’s vocalization, people have been found to be relatively discerning evaluators of differing types of dog vocalization. If observant, we can often recognize changes in emotions, including sadness and grief inanimalswhen they are separated from or lose a friend, or conversely see joy when taken off leash or when welcoming home a member of the family pack.”

Tortoise breaking through a wall, showcasing hilarious animal behavior.

Raccoon riding on an alligator in a pond, showcasing animals in full goblin mode.

Giraffe sticking its head through a window into a dining room, going full goblin mode with curious diners watching.

While we had Tedeschi’s full attention, we decided to ask the million-dollar question: Why do dogs chase their tails?

“It may look like fun and games but that’s not always the case,” he replies. “It’s important to remember that allanimalshave both species-specific behaviors that may be common in that particular species but are also individuals.”

Two pugs in muddy water, one with a playful expression and muddy coat, embodying full “goblin mode."

Cat in “goblin mode” sprawled on the floor in front of a fan in a tiled hallway.

Lion on a rooftop above a red SUV, showcasing hilarious animal antics.

So when should humans be worried about weird animal behavior? “Your own sense that something is wrong is the single most important indicator that your pet is stressed,” says Tedeschi.“One of the most challenging circumstances in making an accurate assessment about a pet’s well-being or stress indicators is when we do not know them very well and are unfamiliar with their normal behaviors, communication, calming signals and mannerisms. But often with our own pets, we know them well and quickly recognize changes in demeanor, social interactions, vocalizations, energy level andotherbehavioral indicators such as lack of interest infoodor play.“The expert adds that when we are trying to prioritize hierarchically the most important signs of stress in our pets, a significant change in their normal functioning or behavior is a good place to start. He says it’s important that people get to know their pets well and are able to pick up any changes if or when they arise.

So when should humans be worried about weird animal behavior? “Your own sense that something is wrong is the single most important indicator that your pet is stressed,” says Tedeschi.

“One of the most challenging circumstances in making an accurate assessment about a pet’s well-being or stress indicators is when we do not know them very well and are unfamiliar with their normal behaviors, communication, calming signals and mannerisms. But often with our own pets, we know them well and quickly recognize changes in demeanor, social interactions, vocalizations, energy level andotherbehavioral indicators such as lack of interest infoodor play.”

The expert adds that when we are trying to prioritize hierarchically the most important signs of stress in our pets, a significant change in their normal functioning or behavior is a good place to start. He says it’s important that people get to know their pets well and are able to pick up any changes if or when they arise.

Two dogs going off the rails, one snarling and the other poking fun by sticking out its tongue through a fence.

Dog sitting on a horse, showcasing animals in hilarious goblin mode.

Bear sitting on deflated red pool toy, surrounded by children’s play items, going “goblin mode” outdoors.

“Unless there is a chronic level of distress, evidence of pain or significant departure from normative behavior, there is probably not an urgent or dangerous issue,” he told Bored Panda.“But as in all ourrelationships, ignoring and discounting needs or intentional communication can be frustrating and lead to various types of escalation, insistence and acting out.“Tedeschi says our pets communicate with us, and sometimes we don’t even realize it. “For example, if I am glued to my computer screen and my dog is telling me they really need a break outside, my ignoring that behavior can result in my dog intensifying the behavior to force me to recognize the importance of their needs,” he explains. “As dogs learn to trust your commitment to them and their own ability to effectively communicate, these interactions help us become supportive of eachother’s needs.”

“Unless there is a chronic level of distress, evidence of pain or significant departure from normative behavior, there is probably not an urgent or dangerous issue,” he told Bored Panda.

“But as in all ourrelationships, ignoring and discounting needs or intentional communication can be frustrating and lead to various types of escalation, insistence and acting out.”

Tedeschi says our pets communicate with us, and sometimes we don’t even realize it. “For example, if I am glued to my computer screen and my dog is telling me they really need a break outside, my ignoring that behavior can result in my dog intensifying the behavior to force me to recognize the importance of their needs,” he explains. “As dogs learn to trust your commitment to them and their own ability to effectively communicate, these interactions help us become supportive of eachother’s needs.”

A cat in midair with glowing eyes, embodying goblin mode in a humorous action shot.

A small green bird humorously rides a tiny skateboard in a playful manner.

A crocodile leaping upright out of the water, exhibiting amusing “goblin mode” behavior in a river setting.

Cat in a cardboard mech suit labeled “Mad Cat,” showcasing hilarious animal behavior.

Cat wearing oversized animal paw slippers on blue carpet, embodying hilarious goblin mode.

Horse licking a dog’s face humorously, another dog nearby; animals in goblin mode.

Puppy going full goblin mode at the gym with a barbell, surrounded by amused people.

A small dog with a fluffy coat playfully bites the edge of a wooden table, embodying full goblin mode.

Dog in “goblin mode” with eyes closed, relishing a slice of pizza held in front.

Dog going “goblin mode,” standing with mouth open on car steering wheel, looking excited.

Dog playfully stuck in an orange chair outdoors, embodying hilarious animal goblin mode antics.

Armadillo inside a house after leaping through a window, showcasing hilarious animal antics.

Cat hilariously positioned in front of a TV screen showing sprinters at the starting line, going full goblin mode.

Cat in front of a computer looking guilty beside a chewed up microphone, embodying goblin mode antics.

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Cat on green dinosaur sculpture, jumping off in funny “goblin mode” style.

Pelican and capybaras sharing a meal, showcasing animals in full goblin mode with carrots.

Turtle in a bathroom corner, near a toilet, embodying goblin mode playfully.

Dog peeking through ceiling tiles, going full goblin mode, with a playful expression.

Crocodile in a car seat with a man driving, showcasing animals in hilarious situations.

A dog riding on the back of a horse on a rural road, showcasing hilarious animal behavior.

A pink hamster in a comical standing pose, appearing playful and mischievous.

Baboon in goblin mode licking a car window, showing off its playful side in a humorous manner.

Dog on pavement, mouth open in funny expression, going full “goblin mode."

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Dog looking out window with chewed blinds, embodying goblin mode.

Dog sitting in the backseat of a police car, humorously going full goblin mode.

A small dog with wide eyes and bubbles on its nose, looking surprised in a comical goblin mode.

Cat and dog in goblin mode observing a half-eaten watermelon on a table.

Snail perched on knife handle, showcasing animals in goblin mode on a wooden table.

Cat in a playful pose with a toy alligator on a tiled floor, exemplifying animals going off the rails in a humorous setting.

Cat in “goblin mode” wearing a banana peel as a hat, displaying a whimsical expression.

A horse sticking out its tongue in a funny manner, embodying “goblin mode” against a scenic mountain backdrop.

Seal blissfully relaxing, covered in mud, embodying the spirit of goblin mode.

Orange cat in a quirky pose on a green blanket, embodying hilarious animals' “goblin mode."

Horse standing awkwardly in a large blue sculpture indoors, embodying hilarious animal behavior.

Black dog on a path with a humorous expression, capturing an animal in goblin mode.

Dog in kitchen with spilt flour and baking tools, embodying hilarious goblin mode.

A small dog in motion with a wild expression, embodying goblin mode on a wooden floor.

A cat hilariously dives face-first into a blue food bowl, showcasing animal goblin mode.

Turtle riding on a fish, showcasing animals going goblin mode in an aquarium setting.

A small dog in mid-air by a kitchen counter, eyeing a fresh loaf, showcasing animals in full goblin mode.

Eagle swooping down to grab a sandwich by the lake, showcasing animals going “goblin mode” with humorous flair.

Three dogs in a car at night, with one at the steering wheel, showcasing hilarious animal behavior.

Excited dog with wide eyes and open mouth, embodying “goblin mode” humor.

Iguana amusingly holding a tortilla in its mouth as a girl looks on, showcasing animals going off the rails.

White cat with heterochromia making a funny face and spreading its paws, embodying “goblin mode” energy.

Dolphin peering through a window at trays of pasta, displaying funny animal curiosity.

Dog playfully arm-wrestling with a person at a table, going off the rails in a funny moment.

Dog in a car with destroyed seats, showcasing hilarious animal goblin mode behavior.

Horse poking head out of a bus window, going full “goblin mode” in a humorous scene.

Horse standing on a small balcony, showcasing hilarious animal antics.

Dog with glowing eyes holding a sword, surrounded by friends laughing. Hilarious animal going full “goblin mode."

Two horses interacting humorously in a dirt paddock, showcasing animals in goblin mode.

Man playing video game while sitting on a horse indoors, showcasing animals in hilarious goblin mode.

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Justinas Keturka

Animals