When someone calls another person a “donkey,” what comes to mind?
Certainly not the idea of intelligence.
For years, people have labeled donkeys as stupid, stubborn, and lazy. But there is a flaw in this perspective.
Suppose a donkey suddenly stops on a dangerous path; it doesn’t necessarily mean it is acting foolishly.
It might actually be displaying great wisdom:
That is, pausing to think things through.
Recent studies show that donkeys possess excellent memory, a knack for recognizing routes, and sharp problem-solving skills. This very tendency to tread cautiously is perhaps the reason we have misunderstood them for so long.
Why Do Donkeys Stop Instead of Running?
Suppose a horse spots something frightening.
Its first instinct might be to move away immediately.
A donkey, however, might react differently.
When faced with something unfamiliar or risky, it stops in its tracks, tries to assess the situation, and then considers the best course of action. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo notes that donkeys are highly alert and cautious animals; before grasping the source of a threat, they either freeze completely or move forward very slowly.
To an observer, it might look like stubbornness.
But there is another way to view it.
The donkey isn’t actually refusing to move.
It is simply refusing to take a step without thinking it through.
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The “Stubborn” Animal May Actually Be Careful
Scientists studying the behavior of donkeys suggest that the notion of them being stubborn may be entirely incorrect.
Research conducted in 2021 on their intelligence revealed that we do not yet fully understand many aspects of their behavior, and their true intelligence is often overlooked due to long-held misconceptions.
Another study indicates that when donkeys suddenly stop in a new or unfamiliar situation, it is not an act of irrationality but rather an exercise in caution; this behavior may actually be a way for them to ensure their safety and conserve their energy.
In other words, the donkey’s famous “stubbornness” may sometimes be a very simple calculation:
“Is this safe? Let me check first.”
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Donkeys Have a Surprisingly Good Memory
Now, the real fun begins.
Donkeys are excellent at remembering routes, locations, and daily routines.
The New South Wales Department of Education acknowledges that donkeys are highly intelligent and possess remarkable memories, especially when it comes to paths or familiar places.
Recent research has also tested this memory and their ability to navigate locations.
In a 2024 study involving donkeys, scientists sought to determine whether the animals could remember the location of a hidden object and navigate through obstacles to reach a reward.
The donkeys remembered the location of the hidden object for at least one minute and thirty seconds. Furthermore, they successfully navigated around the obstacles.
Of course, the word “donkey” doesn’t usually bring such qualities to mind for most people.
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What About Those Zigzag Paths?
This fact about donkeys is truly fascinating.
You have likely seen narrow paths in the mountains that wind their way up rather than going straight up the slope.
It is interesting to think that these paths might have been created by donkeys, as they naturally avoid unnecessarily steep inclines and choose routes that are easier and safer to traverse.
There is a real behavioral idea behind this.
Donkeys are well adapted to difficult environments and tend to be cautious about where they place themselves. Their movement can favor routes that are safer and less demanding.
However, there’s an important distinction.
There isn’t strong scientific evidence that modern zigzag roads were literally created by donkeys and that this behavior directly established road engineering.
That’s a great story, but it should be treated as an interesting claim rather than established history.
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Donkeys Can Solve Problems, Too
Researchers have also tested donkeys using controlled cognitive experiments.
One 2019 study examined the cognitive abilities of 300 donkeys, using nonverbal problem-solving tests to investigate different cognitive processes. The researchers found evidence of measurable variation in donkey cognitive abilities and a heritable component to those abilities.
This certainly does not mean that donkeys possess human-like intelligence.
However, it does mean that we should not simply dismiss them as stupid.
Their minds are shaped by their surroundings and the struggle for survival.
And when discussing animal intelligence, it is crucial to understand this distinction.
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So, Are Donkeys Really “Smart”?
Yes, but we need to be careful about what “smart” means.
There isn’t a scientifically accepted leaderboard that lets us say a donkey is the 11th-smartest animal on Earth.
Different animals excel at different things.
A crow can solve certain problems that a donkey cannot. An elephant has extraordinary memory and social abilities. Dolphins have highly developed communication and problem-solving skills.
A donkey doesn’t need to beat them at their specialties.
Its intelligence is visible in the abilities that help a donkey survive and work effectively.
That includes memory, environmental awareness, cautious decision-making, and learning.
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Maybe “Stubborn” Isn't the Right Word
Here’s the part I find most interesting.
Sometimes, what we call stubbornness is simply behavior we don’t understand.
If a donkey refuses to walk into an unfamiliar or dangerous-looking place, humans may see an animal that won’t listen.
The donkey may see something completely different.
“I don’t know if this is safe yet.”
And honestly, that’s not such a bad approach to life.
Humans sometimes rush into situations because we’re confident we know what we’re doing.
The donkey takes a moment.
It observes.
It remembers.
It evaluates.
Then it moves.
So perhaps the next time someone calls you a donkey because you refused to take an unnecessary risk, you shouldn’t be offended.
You could simply say:
“Thanks. I was thinking.”
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Key Takeaways
- Donkeys are not scientifically “dumb”; research shows meaningful cognitive abilities.
- Their cautious behavior is often mistaken for stubbornness.
- Donkeys can remember routes, locations, and routines.
- A 2024 study found miniature donkeys could remember the location of a hidden object for at least 1 minute and 30 seconds.
- Research involving 300 donkeys found measurable variation in cognitive abilities and evidence of heritable cognitive differences.
- There is no reliable scientific basis for ranking donkeys as the “11th-smartest animal.”
- The claim that donkeys directly created the world’s zigzag roads should be treated as a popular story, not established fact.
FAQs
1. Are donkeys actually intelligent?
Yes. Scientific research has found evidence of memory, learning, problem-solving, spatial cognition, and other cognitive abilities in donkeys.
2. Why are donkeys considered stubborn?
Their tendency to stop when faced with unfamiliar or potentially dangerous situations can look like stubbornness. Researchers suggest that this behavior may instead reflect caution and self-preservation.
3. Do donkeys have good memories?
Yes. Donkeys can remember familiar routes, places, and routines. Experimental research has also demonstrated short-term memory for the location of hidden objects.
4. Can donkeys solve problems?
Yes. Studies have tested donkeys using problem-solving and detour tasks, providing evidence of cognitive abilities beyond simple instinctive behavior.
5. Are donkeys really the 11th-smartest animals?
There is no reliable scientific ranking that establishes donkeys as the world’s 11th-smartest animal. Animal intelligence is difficult to compare across species because different animals have different cognitive strengths.
6. Did donkeys create zigzag mountain roads?
This is a popular claim, but there isn’t strong evidence establishing that donkeys literally created the road systems humans later developed. Their natural preference for cautious movement through difficult terrain is real, but the larger road-building claim should be treated cautiously.