From bears, rhinos and hippos … to the fearsome cape buffalo ... Here are 12 wild animals that cannot be domesticated Subscribe for weekly wacky videos and learn interesting facts about the world with awesome top 10 lists and other amazing videos.
#7 Hyenas
Are they related to dogs, or are they related to cats? Hyenas are identified as ‘feliform’ creatures which are cat-like carnivorans. But even though they could be related to your housecat, they’ll never be domesticated. That’s in spite of claims that the animals may have been domesticated by Ancient Egyptians for use as a food source. That theory was later discounted largely due to their diet. Since hyenas feed on carrion, their meat would be loaded with worms and parasites. But experts say it’s remotely possible that the animals were tamed for a very short time.
#6 Elephants
African Bush elephants are the world’s largest terrestrial mammals, weighing up to 14,000 pounds (6,350 kg). Their sheer immensity can impede these animals from being domesticated because they’re difficult to keep fenced in. Greater obstacles include the animal’s long reproductive cycle and their reluctance to breed in captivity. Because of those factors there are no domesticated breeds. But that doesn’t mean elephants can’t be tamed. Asian elephants are known for their capacity for transporting heavy objects like timber through dense areas of the jungle. They’ve also been used for ceremonial purposes, and as siege engines in warfare.
#5 Hippos
They rank as the third largest land mammals in the world. They also rank high as one of the world’s most dangerous animals. Given an average weight that exceeds 3,300 pounds (1,500 kg), maybe it’s not surprising to learn that hippos are related to whales. Even with that size, strength, and huge ivory tusks, many people still think they look endearingly cute. Tell that to a farmer from South Africa who adopted a hippo, named it Humphrey, and treated it like his child. One day Humphrey mauled his adoptive dad to death even though the animal was thought to be domesticated. Thanks to their aggression and unpredictable behavior, domestication will never happen with rhinos.
#4 Rhinoceros
There are five extant species of this beast, and the smallest of them weighs around 1,500 pounds (700 kg). GIven their size, power, and bad temper these animals aren’t the best candidates for domestication. Did you know that the rhino’s ill temper is partly due to their poor eyesight? Because of that, they’ll often charge when startled. Rhinos in the wild have been observed to charge at stationary objects like trees or boulders. So if they were to be domesticated rhinos would have to be selectively bred to improve their vision. That’s in addition to breeding out any aggression towards humans. Since rhinos take a long time to mature, they’re not good candidates for domestication anyway.
#3 Big Cats
There has been a rising demand for exotic pets, and much of the interest has been linked to videos posted on social media. That’s helped to fuel the popularity of Tigers in the exotic pet trade. But while they may appear tame, they’re not domesticated. These animals haven’t evolved to live within human habitats and they still retain their wild instincts. And consider how large and powerful they become. A six month tiger cub can already weigh 100 pounds (45 kg), and will grow into an animal strong enough to maul or kill its owner. None of the Big Cats are good candidates for domestication. That includes Jaguars, which are so unpredictable that they cannot be tamed in the manner of tigers or lions. It’s one reason why the spotted cats aren’t featured in circus acts. And since they’re not regarded as good exhibition animals, they’re not seen as often in zoos.
#2 Giant Panda Bears
They look cute and cuddly, and we tend to regard them as gentle giants. But make no mistake that these animals can be dangerous. They’re built for aggression and are powerful enough to inflict serious damage. Keepers typically will not enter the Panda’s enclosure if the bears are present. And even though these critters mainly eat bamboo, they are still technically carnivores with jaws that can exert a lethal bite force. They’re unlikely to be domesticated because they breed more successfully in open territories. Once captured, they seem to lose their mating instinct in close quarters.
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