Cyber Monday Sale! 50% Off All Access

10 Times Animals Were Hilariously Mystified by Modern Technology From the dog that couldn't grasp the concept of an escalator to the eagle that destroyed a drone, here are some of the most epic encounters between animals and modern gadgets.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

TexasGirly1979 | Youtube

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks -- and, indeed, in a tech-obsessed era where gadgets of every stripe abound, our furry friends tend to be both hilariously mystified and a little miffed.

The heated rivalry between cats and printers (and toaster ovens and treadmills), for instance, are tales as old as time -- though certain amphibians are slowly warming to the idea of mobile gaming. And as drones continue to populate our skies, it might not be regulatory tussles that ultimately ground the devices so much as weary wedge-tailed eagles.

From dogs to mice to monkeys to snakes, check out our list of 10 of the most epic encounters between animals and modern technology below:

1. Cat costumed as shark chases duck on Roomba

This actually happened: A cat, dressed in a shark costume, riding a Roomba, chases a stray duckling across a Texas woman's kitchen floor. Suddenly, a pitbull in a hammerhead onesie appears.

But perhaps most surreal of all is the fact that Elon Musk shared this video in a Reddit AMA as evidence of the impending perils of AI.

We might need a minute to process this…

Related: Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking Warn That AI Military Robots Could Ignite the Next Global Arms Race


2. Cat pwns printer

Every college student knows the agony of finishing an assignment at the very last minute and waiting, white-knuckled, for the printer to finish printing. This frazzled kitten clearly has places to be, and is having absolutely none of it.


3. A most entrepreneurial mouse

Entrepreneurs often face problems that are bigger than they are, which seem impossibly out of reach -- not unlike this adorable little mouse who stumbles upon a maddeningly king-sized cracker.

But the way that the intrepid rodent reflects, shifts strategies and returns to the challenge undaunted should serve as a lesson in resilience for business owners everywhere.


4. Eagle destroys drone in aerial smackdown

While drones continue to linger in regulation purgatory, there seems to be a consensus about how to deal with the devices among members of the animal kingdom: kill, kill, kill.


5. Pawing at thin air

Jolly, you're missing the point! When the Jack Russell/Papillon mix is carried onto an escalator by his dad, Dylan, the adorable pooch -- unwilling to simply coast back and descend -- continues to paw dutifully at thin air.

Related: Derby the Dog Can Now Run Free Thanks to His New 3-D Printed Legs


6. Singing husky could be the next T-Pain

Let's be honest: this Siberian Husky is probably a better singer than you are. With a little help from LaDiDa -- a music app that autotunes users' voices and alters background tracks to match -- Mishka is able to hit some fairly impressive high notes, and even articulate heartfelt lyrics like "I love you.'

Mishka's debut single, entitled "Mishka's Song,' is currently available on iTunes.


7. African bullfrog is an ace gamer

Who says video games don't encourage violence? After playing a couple rounds of Ants Smasher -- a mobile app in which players must virtually squish as many insects as possible with their fingers -- this African bullfrog finally gets so fed up that he takes a bite of his owner's finger.


8. Some monkey business at the vending machine

Nothing's going to come between this monkey and his tasty vending machine treats. When the machine initially seems to be taking longer than usual to process his grape juice request, he goads it on with some exasperated (and clearly helpful) banging.


9. Bringing new meaning to the term "computer bug'

Rather than running anti-virus software, when Brisbane resident Rod Thompson's computer had a bug, he simply removed the praying mantis from his MacBook screen and returned it to the wild.


10. Snake squeezing a (computer) mouse

snake-holding-a-mouse-controller

Image credit: Pleated Jeans

This is just plain creepy.

Related: What the Year of the Snake Could Mean for Your Business

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

There Are Certain Words That Will Break ChatGPT. I Tried Them — Here's What Happened.

ChatGPT appears to be unable to process requests that contain a few notable names.

Fundraising

'Elevator Pitch' Meltdown: Watch the Moment That Broke This Entrepreneur's Brain

On this episode of 'Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch,' an investor makes an offer that leaves a contestant speechless.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

Leadership vs. Management: How to Understand the Difference and 6 Ways to Bridge the Gap

Here are the key differences between leadership and management, highlighting their complementary roles and providing six strategies to develop managers into future leaders.

Business News

Tesla Cybertruck Factory Workers Reportedly Told 'You Do Not Need to Report to Work' for 3 Days This Week

According to a memo first viewed by Business Insider, Tesla factory workers in Austin were reportedly told to stay home Tuesday through Thursday.

Business Process

5 Powerful Ways to Streamline Your Work Processes with AI

The correct way to combine AI, automation, and human talent in the modern world by adopting a hybrid model. Learn the key steps businesses can take to successfully streamline operations and enhance performance using advanced technology.