Ripley the cuddling toucan wants to be your friend

This is the one moment in your life that you'll come back to. It's the moment when you realized you want — nay, need — a pet toucan.

Ripley is an adorable toucan belonging to Brock and Lena Miculek Afentul of Louisiana.

See also: You can stand under this scooter-riding dog's umbrella

Image: Brock Afentul

The couple decided they wanted to get Ripley because Brock has always loved birds, and toucans specifically.

"We got Ripley from a zoo about a year and a half ago when she was around 3 months old. We got in contact with the breeder and had to wait until she had hatched and was able to eat on her own before she could be shipped to us via airline," Brock told Mashable in an email. "When we got her she was just a little ball of black and white fluff with a short little yellow bill but she grew up quickly!"

Image: Brock Afentul

Adorable, right?

But you might be wondering what it's like to live with a legitimate jungle creature.

"Imagine having a little velociraptor with the intelligence of 4 year old, ADHD, that's constantly high on crack and has the ability to fly," Brock says. "Unlike parrots, toucans are extremely hyperactive and very inquisitive. You have to watch what you have out when she's around because she always wants to figure out what things are and promptly knock it on the ground."

So in sum, pet toucans are basically a hybrid dog-cat with wings.

Image: Facebook: Ripley the Toucan

Need more proof?

"She likes to play catch, and they actually do this naturally. You can throw a blueberry or toy in the air and if she's not near it, she'll take off and catch it mid air," Brock explains. "She also enjoys sun bathing and when she sun isn't out, she will go fluff up on a lamp and warm her butt on it."

Image: Brock Afentul

One of the most charming things about Ripley is that she loves to cuddle.

"I can't recall the first time she tried to snuggle up to us," Brock says. "But it's probably some of the only times where she actually stays still. She will usually come hop in your lap, squat down and fluff up when she wants to be loved on. She'll also rub her head on us as a kind of cue that she wants somebody to pet her."

Ripley's famous snuggles have been captured on camera multiple times and posted to her very own YouTube channel. But if you decide to go watch, we feel the need to warn you that you may find yourself calling up a breeder to get a snuggly toucan for yourself.

Image: Brock Afentul

While you may be itching to get your own toucan, Brock warns of all the work it takes to care for one.

"When people get to know her, they fall in love with her even more. But with that being said, toucans aren't for everyone. They're expensive up front, very rare in captivity and require a lot of space, attention and love. They also have very specific diets."

He also highlights that they can't be left alone for long.

"My wife and I are both self employed and travel about 180 days of the year," he says. "Ripley usually travels with us or I will stay home with her."

Image: Ripley the Toucan

While toucans may not be for everyone, it's hard to not want one after seeing the joy and adorable cuddles Ripley brings to her family.