Do animals hold grudges? It’s a question that may have crossed your mind at some point. Well, the answer is yes. Animals have complex emotions just like we do, and they can get angry and vengeful too. In fact, some animals are known to be quite vindictive when they’ve been wronged. From dolphins to elephants to crows, these creatures have been observed taking revenge in some intriguing ways.
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If you’re intrigued to know more, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore five of the most vengeful animals on the planet, and you’ll be surprised at just how clever and calculating they can be.
List of Most Vengeful Animals
Siberian Tigers
- Scientific Name: Panthera tigris altaica
- Type of Animal: Mammal
- Diet: Carnivore
- Range: Eastern Russia and Northern China
Siberian tigers are truly a sight to behold. Their beautiful fur and majestic movements make anyone stop and stare. However, don’t let their stunning appearance fool you.
These big cats are some of the most vengeful creatures out there. If you cross them, they won’t hesitate to seek revenge. In fact, there have been numerous accounts of people who have made the mistake of crossing a tiger, only to be stalked as their prey.
One such story is that of Vladimir Markov, a Russian poacher who injured a tiger while trying to kill it. The tiger found Markov’s cabin, destroyed his belongings and waited for him to return to execute his attack. Similarly, a female tiger escaped her zoo habitat after being taunted by intoxicated men. She only went after the men who had thrown objects at her while in captivity.
Crows
Scientific Name: Corvus
Type of Animal: Bird
Diet: Omnivore
Range: Worldwide
Crows are fascinating creatures with exceptional memory. Once a crow has been wronged or mistreated, it has the ability to remember the person’s face for an extended period of up to five years.
What’s more intriguing is its widely-known tendency to seek revenge. If one crow is wronged, it spreads the message to its flock members, and they work together towards exacting revenge. A reported case tells of a man who unintentionally caused the death of a baby crow.
Consequently, he was tormented by a group of crows for at least three years. Therefore, treating crows with kindness goes a long way, and they also remember a good deed.
African Buffalos
Scientific Name: Syncerus caffer
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
The African Buffalo, also known as the Cape Buffalo, is no ordinary animal. These powerful beasts are known for their deadly combination of bravery and aggression that makes them some of the most formidable creatures on the planet.
When threatened, or if a herd member is injured by a lion, the cape buffalos will band together and seek revenge. They have even been known to trample sleeping lions, just to increase their advantage.
It’s not just lions that they’re fierce against, however, as hunters have been attacked by the cape buffalos on many occasions. With a reputation for being fearless and dangerous, it’s no wonder that they’re also known as “The Widows’ maker”.
Lions
Scientific Name: Panthera leo
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Lions are also commonly known to seek vengeance when an enemy has crossed them.
When it comes to the vengeance of lions, they will even retaliate against their own species if a lion strikes them from another territory.
In the wild, it’s not uncommon for lions to go after another animal that has harmed or killed one of their fellow lions. They are fiercely protective of one another, their territory, and especially their lionesses.
There have also been many reported attacks on trophy hunters.
In many of these cases, the hunters are attacked by what is likely another lion from the group seeking to harm the one that caused harm to their fellow troop members.
Lions are not only powerful animals, but they are also known for their fierce loyalty towards their pride members. This loyalty extends to seeking vengeance when any of their group members are hurt or killed.
Even if a lion from another territory harms them, they won’t hesitate to retaliate. The protection of their territory and lionesses is of utmost importance to them. Their retaliatory nature is not limited to their own species either, as trophy hunters have also experienced this wrath.
These attacks are likely due to another lion seeking revenge for the harm caused to their fellow troop member. Lions are undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with and one must think twice before crossing them.
Elephants
Scientific Name: Elephantidae
Type of Animal: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
Range: Africa and Asia
Recent studies have shed light on the rising number of incidents involving elephants attacking humans. These reports have suggested that elephants may be acting with vindictive intent when they lash out, due to their exceptional memory and intelligence.
While the animals have been known to attack other species that have harmed their herd members, the increased number of attacks on humans has prompted scientists to explore the cause of this behaviour.
Many have concluded that watching hunters harm elephants for so long has resulted in the animals seeking revenge by attacking humans and their villages. The potential for elephants to act out of spite only emphasizes the need for increased education and conservation efforts to protect these majestic creatures.
FAQs
Which animal is known for revenge?
Elephant
Which animals are vengeful?
Some primates, such as chimpanzees, have been known to engage in revenge behaviour, such as attacking a member of another group as “payback” for a previous altercation. Similarly, elephants have been observed seeking retribution for perceived wrongs, such as destroying crops or homes.
What animals can hold grudges?
While most animals have short-term memory, certain species, such as elephants, dolphins, and primates, have been observed holding onto negative emotions towards specific individuals or groups for an extended period.
Do elephants seek revenge?
There have been reports of elephants seeking revenge against humans and other animals that have caused harm to their herds or families. In one instance, an elephant attacked and killed a hunter who had killed its mate.
Another elephant was reported to have destroyed a house in revenge for being hit by one of its occupants. However, some experts argue that these incidents may not necessarily be acts of revenge, but rather a response to perceived threats against the herd or family.
Final Words
While there are no scientific studies to prove this, there is certainly evidence to suggest that some animals are capable of holding a grudge. In fact, some of the most vengeful creatures are tigers, elephants, lions, crows, and Cape buffalos. From attacking humans who have wronged them to seeking retribution against other animals that have crossed them, these creatures have proven that they can be just as cunning and determined as we are.
Reference:
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/crows-hold-grudges-a4484146.html
- https://phys.org/news/2006-02-elephants-revenge.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7999229/
Rahul M Suresh
Visiting the Zoo can be an exciting and educational experience for all involved. As a guide, I have the privilege of helping students and visitors alike to appreciate these animals in their natural habitat as well as introducing them to the various aspects of zoo life. I provide detailed information about the individual animals and their habitats, giving visitors an opportunity to understand each one more fully and appreciate them in a more intimate way.
