Stubborn Animals in the World (Examples and Pictures)

Do you know what it means to be “stubborn as a mule”? We often use this phrase to describe a stubborn person. Stubbornness is a trait we associate with humans. But, can you tell which are the most stubborn animals in the world?

Mules, bulls, cows, donkeys, goats, cats, and other animals are some of the most stubborn animals. While many others are disobedient and stubborn animals, these mentioned are generally more stubborn than others.

But there are many animals in the animal kingdom besides humans that possess stubbornness as a prominent identifying character. Now, when we talk about stubborn animals, we don’t mean particularly feral or wild ones.

An animal’s stubborn nature can come across as a headstrong attitude that can intimidate other animals.

In this article, we will try to identify some common stubborn animals around us and how they behave in real life. watch out.

Stubborn Animals In The World

Mules

First on our list of stubborn animals is the mule. Mules are hybrids of horses and donkeys. It is basically the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Now, mules are clearly labelled as stubborn because they find it really difficult to move them from their sitting or standing position.

However, it is all about our thoughts. Mules are much more than the obstinate animals we typically think of. Although they are highly intelligent and trainable animals, they frequently exhibit stubbornness and disobedience because their natural impulses are usually ones of caution.

Still, they are not fans of heavy loads. It is true that we can easily make a donkey do extra work and carry an extra load. But you can’t do this trick on a mule! The stubborn nature that a mule will show his mate is a way to protect himself from overworking himself.

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Bulls

Bulls belong to the scientific family Bovidae in the category of domestic cattle. They have a tendency to stick with anything for a very long time, which makes them frequently depicted as being stubborn animals.

Also, bulls are not easily trained creatures, in fact, they are very difficult to handle, and the stubborn nature of these animals is quite noticeable. They are persistent, and whatever they decide, they will always stick to that mindset.

Therefore, stubborn people often have a Taurus zodiac sign, which indicates their bull nature. In addition to stubbornness, bulls often represent a symbol of brutality and ferocity.

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Cows

Like bulls, cows can be very stubborn animals at times. If they don’t want to do anything, they will stand their ground and refuse to listen to you at all. While some docile cows respond to hiccups or bouncing, others resist it. They may also kick to avoid cooperating with you.

The cause of such behavior in cows is a past trauma or traumatic experience. Just as humans exhibit difficult emotional states after a traumatic experience, cattle follow the same psychology.

A bad experience going through a cattle house can turn a cow into a very stubborn creature out of fear and shock.

For animals to avoid acting stubbornly, they must be free from stress. Stressful situations such as being pushed from a cradle or being separated from calves can make the cow difficult to handle.

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Donkeys

The quality of stubbornness is often associated with donkeys. It is normal for a donkey to resist when you want it to move or do something against its will. We have this misconception that the donkey is deliberately being stubborn and refusing to follow instructions.

However, in reality, a donkey perceives any situation differently than a human and often has good reason to be stubborn.

For example, when a donkey senses a dangerous situation, it freezes and refuses to move until it is sure. This makes the donkey one of the most stubborn animals.

However, it is one of the survival instincts of donkeys to freeze in place, think, and find the safest way to escape danger rather than running or following instructions.

Some might argue that this is caution, not stubbornness. But explain that to a donkey!

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Goats

You have often heard people say that they are “as stubborn as a goat”. Goats are actually considered quite stubborn even though they are one of the best domestic animals. They are friendly with other farm animals, easy to handle if you know the technique, and playful.

But, they are also stubborn and have a mind of their own. Goats, like other animals, have their own ways of thinking and have a different perspective on a situation than humans.

So, if they need companionship or something gets in the way of their access to food and water, they may become stubborn, without knowing how to resolve the situation.

But with the appropriate methods, a stubborn goat may be trained to behave well. It is important to understand how they think in order to overcome their stubborn or aggressive behavior.

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Cats

The last member of our list of stubborn animals is cats. Cats are known to be loyal pets, they look cute and dote on their owners. But, on the other hand, they can be very stubborn and moody due to their independent behavior.

For example, they may throw tantrums when you try to feed them against their will. Also, it can be difficult to get them to do anything they don’t like with their aggressive scratching.

A cat will usually refuse to obey your commands or wishes at times because it is a cat’s nature to show dominance and independent spirit like big cats.

Pet owners generally have less trouble training dogs than cats. While dogs can be stubborn too, cats are more likely to show you their stubbornness, anger and aggression.

Cats are often quite affectionate, but their decision to obey their owner can be optional in their nature. They may respond to your calls and eat what you give them, or they may refuse to pay any attention to your commands.

It depends entirely on their will, and understanding their nature is essential to know the reason for stubborn behavior.

Last Words On The Stubborn Animals In The World

Some animals are born aggressive, stubborn and difficult to control by nature. Others may do this from their own perspective to assess the situation or react differently than humans.

It is important to understand the nature of animals and their behavioral characteristics or thought processes to understand why they behave stubbornly. If you liked this post, I recommend you also read – Animals That Are Quiet