Preposterous Pets

A young woman on the west coast of America experiences the nightlife with a pair of tamandua anteaters. The programme follows her nocturnal adventures alongside the two anteaters. It also tells the story of a couple who share their home with hippos.

Petting Jaws is a single‑episode programme that falls under the “episode” genre. It is presented as a slice‑of‑life documentary‑style feature, focusing on unusual animal companionships in contemporary settings. The title hints at the quirky nature of the stories it follows, and the format keeps the narrative tight and focused. The first segment follows a young woman living on the west coast of America as she navigates the nocturnal world alongside a pair of tamandua anteaters. Rather than a typical night‑out, her evenings are spent observing and interacting with these small, arboreal mammals, offering a glimpse into a world where human and wildlife rhythms intersect in unexpected ways. The second storyline centres on a couple who have chosen to share their home with hippos. Their daily routine includes caring for these large, semi‑aquatic animals, highlighting the practical and emotional dimensions of cohabiting with creatures far removed from ordinary domestic pets. Together, the two narratives provide a portrait of people forming bonds with animals that lie far outside conventional pet ownership. By juxtaposing the quiet, night‑time companionship of the tamanduas with the more demanding presence of hippos in a household, the episode paints a picture of diverse, unconventional relationships that challenge typical ideas of what it means to live alongside wildlife.