It’s almost Thanksgiving! In case you forgot, since society seems to love jumping right from spooky season to the winter holidays, Thanksgiving is coming right up, and for most people, that could only mean one thing.
Two turkeys walking around together.Image via Shutterstock / Andriy Kotlyarov
Not me, though. I prefer my turkeys alive, well, and being adorable. Thankfully, one zoo recently made sure I got my wish! On Monday, November 17th, they posted a video of a beautiful deer and a precious baby turkey having the cutest moment ever:
Brevard Zoo (and according to the caption, Keeper Mallory specifically) totally made my year with this one. Their names are Peach, the white-tailed deer, and Pillsbury, the turkey! Pillsbury is specifically an Osceola turkey, or a Florida wild turkey.
Brevard Zoo is in Melbourne, Florida, and they focus heavily on conservation and education. They have an impressive mix of exotic animals as well as native ones: there’s something for everybody! Some animals, like deer and turkeys, get to live together because of similar habitats and care needs.
Related: Golden Retriever Sits Like a Polite Gentleman When He Sees a Deer on Walk
A few people in the comments were asking if Pillsbury’s heavy breathing meant that she was anxious. According to the zoo, though, her shakiness is a sign of happiness and contentment, almost like purring in cats. It sounds like Pillsbury loves Peach very much!
How could she not? Look at Peach in the sunlight! She’s such a little polka dot princess:
I love deer so much. There are a bunch who basically live in my backyard, and I love watching them live their lives! There are some turkeys, too, but they don’t seem to be friends…
Turkeys Can Be Super Friendly
Obviously, if you approach a wild turkey, they’re not going to be very happy about it. However, in the right circumstances, turkeys are very friendly and social birds who can even enjoy physical affection. Many farms and sanctuaries raise turkeys together with other animals all the time.
In fact, turkeys really shouldn’t be kept alone at all: they always need to have at least one friend, whether that’s more turkeys, other birds, or farm animals. They need to have friends, and you should make sure to interact with them, too! They’re easy to tame!
Apparently, deer make great companions, too! Peach and Pillsbury prove that!
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.