Have you ever wondered if animals experience joy, sadness, and anger just like humans? If so, you’re absolutely right! Some animals even have the remarkable ability to hold grudges for a very long time, and they might even seek revenge if you hurt them. Let’s take a look at three animal species known for their incredibly long memories of grievances in the natural world!
1. Crows
Crows are among the most intelligent birds in the world. According to a recent foreign study, researchers have highlighted the crow’s memory for human faces.
In a study by a team of scientists at the University of Washington, volunteers were asked to wear masks to trap crows and then walk around the campus. As a result, these volunteers were repeatedly attacked by crows.
Even five years later, the crows on campus still clearly remembered the faces of these “wrongdoers.” The reason explained is that the crows who felt threatened by humans “spread the word” to their flock, and the crows in the area gathered to drive away anyone who threatened them.
2. Elephants
Coming in second are elephants, an animal species with a memory that’s on par with crows. If we “offend” an elephant, even if we manage to escape, it will remember us until it’s old.
A classic story illustrating the memory of elephants occurred in 2002. Villagers in Nepal stoned an elephant to death, and afterward, the entire herd of elephants came and destroyed the entire village, killing 13 villagers.
Not only that, but elephants are also social animals; members of the herd are very close. If one member is harmed, the entire herd will carry a grudge. Even if decades pass, they are determined to get revenge. In addition to the story above, there’s also a case where a hunter killed an elephant, but thirteen years later, the elephant’s brother returned and killed the hunter.
3. Honey Badgers
This animal is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as “the most fearless animal in the world,” with the nickname “Brother Flathead.” Honey badgers are so combative that they don’t flinch even when encountering the “king of the jungle.” If you hit them, no matter how far you run, they will still chase after you.