So the lesson learned is wildlife can oftentimes be unpredictable.
I have a friend who can't keep his hands to himself. I better explain. On hikes and even bike rides I've noticed he has the uncontrollable desire to pick up any small creature he can lay hands on. Often snakes. I have no squeamish issues but have on a number of occasions strongly suggested that it would be preferable to simply observe wildlife from a" respectful (to them) distance rather than pursue them to pick them up. I described his behaviour to him as ego tripping harassment. I admit it's been a lifelong daydream of mine to whistle and have a raptor land on my shoulder, just like that. I would then pull a dead mouse from my pocket and reward my new wild friend. (Yeah, like I carry dead rodents in my pockets, ever.) The owl, hawk, or eagle would then lift off and be gone. How cool would that be!!? But I know this adventure would be way cooler for me than the wildlife. Ergo ego. But my friend each time just gives me a smarmy smile and coos over the serpent saying "I think it likes me, really. There's no harm!" Our last encounter last summer he finally heard my whispers "Bite the sonovabitch!"
In this video my empathy lies with the sea lion and not the paddler (whatever the blade). Okay maybe mostly the octopus.