10 Fascinating Insights About Circus Animals

One of my most cherished insults is labeling someone a circus animal. What makes it so gratifying? It’s hard to pinpoint, but perhaps it suggests the target is utterly absurd — imagine an elephant donning a miniature crown while sipping tea. It also evokes a sense of madness, akin to a horse sprinting at full tilt while allowing an acrobat to flip on its back. Lastly, it conjures images of sheer lunacy, like a lion permitting a human to place their head inside its mouth!

However, circus animals are far more than mere caricatures. Since the dawn of the circus, they’ve been celebrated as true performers. Audiences are encouraged to view them as skilled actors, not just animals trained to perform tricks. Some argue that behind the curtains, they endure conditions far harsher than those of a household pet. With this in mind, we’ve gathered a collection of circus animal facts that shed light on their historical roles and highlight how the circus has, at times, exploited its stars.

10: Circus Animals Originated in Greek Theatre

The tradition of circus animals likely began when humans realized dogs could obey commands or monkeys looked amusing riding bikes. (Dogs probably came first, but history holds the truth.) Records show Greeks and Romans enjoyed watching animals perform [source: Speaight]. While many associate the "circus" with Circus Maximus — Rome's massive amphitheater — it’s worth noting that animals there were mostly used for gladiatorial sacrifices, not entertainment. Hardly suitable for modern family outings.

By the Middle Ages and Renaissance, performing animals had gained popularity and, unlike today’s circus, were often used for propaganda. One famous act featured an ape that leaped for the King of England but refused to move when the command was attributed to the Pope [source: Speaight]. While chimps and apes were crowd-pleasers, it was two other animals that inspired a beloved circus term.

9: The Dog and Pony Show

The circus is often linked to exotic animals like elephants, tigers, and even performing bears, which draw massive crowds. However, it might surprise you to learn that early circus-like events — Medieval and Renaissance fairs and carnivals, which evolved into circuses by the 18th and 19th centuries — frequently featured dog and pony acts. These shows relied on readily available and trainable animals to perform tricks [source: Speaight].

Interestingly, the dog and pony show didn’t disappear with the rise of the Big Circus. Instead, these smaller acts became a way for less reputable individuals to profit from the circus’s allure without offering much substance. Often, they served as covers for illegal activities like bootlegging or unadvertised adult entertainment, leading to strict regulations in 19th and 20th century America [source: A Way With Words]. This history of trickery is why the term "dog and pony show" is often used dismissively, referencing the shady origins of these lesser-known performances.

8: Horses Are The Thing

To truly understand circus animals, it’s essential to recognize the pivotal role horses played in shaping the modern circus. Despite the fascination with tame lions and trained elephants today, the circus originated with skilled equestrian riders and their remarkable horses.

In late 18th-century Britain, equestrian schools began showcasing performances of trick riding, featuring daring stunts like standing on galloping stallions and acrobatic maneuvers during rides [source: Speaight]. These acts were performed in a circular ring, allowing audiences to view the spectacle from all angles. Unlike a straight track, the circular setup made it easier for crowds to follow the action. This ring inspired the name for the mix of clowning, juggling, acrobatics, and other acts that complemented the horse performances — derived from the Latin word "circus," meaning circle.

However, the connection between horses and the circus holds even more intrigue. Let’s explore how circus animals were initially part of a broader theatrical tradition.

7: Hip Hip Hippodrama

Before dismissing the circus animals you see performing for modest rewards, consider their grandiose origins. Many of these animals were already celebrated stage stars before the circus capitalized on their fame.

Even horses — the pioneers of circus animals — gained popularity in the 19th century through hippodrama, a unique fusion of theater and equestrian skills. These performances centered around horses playing key roles in the narrative, captivating audiences with tales like bandits galloping on horseback [source: Speaight]. Later, other trainable animals, such as lions, were introduced, sparking public fascination with exotic creatures. Queen Victoria famously watched "Charlemagne" seven times, enthralled by a scene featuring a lion and panther performing together [source: Speaight].

But let’s move beyond the exotic animals that dominate modern circuses. Instead, let’s explore some circus animals that, while not fearsome, were incredibly popular — the kind we might find in our homes or on farms.

6: Old McDonald Could've Had a Circus

As mentioned earlier, circus animals aren’t always exotic creatures from distant lands. In fact, many shows today still feature more familiar animals. Equestrian acts remain a circus staple, and let’s not overlook the incredible Acro-Cats, which continue to tour. While trained cats might seem unusual, they have a long history in the circus. For instance, a 19th-century clown had an act where cats obediently pulled him in a cart [source: Speaight]. Take that, lions.

Early circuses didn’t just feature fully domesticated animals. Pigs were major stars, appearing in shows as far back as the 18th century [source: Speaight]. Bulls and cows also made appearances, though their limited capacity for tricks made them less exciting — hardly surprising if you’ve ever tried to engage a cow in anything complex. Over time, audiences grew tired of farm animals performing simple tricks, craving instead the spectacle of the dazzling circus animals we know today.

5: Animals Got No Respect

While we’ve explored the history of circus animals, let’s delve into some modern facts. First, we must address the undeniable truth: circus animals, both historically and today, have often been treated poorly, and it’s crucial to acknowledge this. One thing is clear: circuses were far from cruelty-free in their early days.

In the early days, animal trainers (or tamers or keepers) relied on harsh methods to "teach" animals tricks. Isaac Van Amburgh, the 19th century’s most famous lion trainer, was known for his seemingly playful interactions with animals during performances. However, behind the scenes, he subjected them to severe cruelty, reportedly beating them with a crowbar [source: Speaight]. While this might have been his way of training, it’s also a surefire way to provoke a dangerous response [source: Thayer].

What about today? Are circus animals still subjected to such poor treatment?

4: . . . And Still Don't

Even in recent years, circuses have faced significant backlash over their treatment of animal performers. In 2011, Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, was fined $270,000 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act [source: Grove]. While this was the largest fine ever imposed, it likely had little impact on their $1 billion annual revenue [source: Grove].

Bullhooks, a controversial training tool for elephants, resemble fireplace pokers with a sharp-hooked end designed to prod an elephant’s sensitive skin. Many argue this practice is inherently cruel. By 2014, over 40 U.S. municipalities and 30 countries had implemented regulations or outright bans on bullhooks, including cities like Oakland and Los Angeles. This shift in policy highlights another lesser-known fact about elephants in circuses.

3: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Won't Use Elephants (Eventually)

Following the bullhook bans in Los Angeles and Oakland in 2014, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus initially refused to perform in those cities. However, in 2015, Feld Entertainment, the parent company, announced a major decision: all elephants would be retired by 2018 and relocated to a conservation center in Florida, effectively ending elephant performances in their shows [source: Izadi].

It’s important to note that Feld Entertainment didn’t admit wrongdoing or yield to pressure from animal rights groups. In fact, the company had been embroiled in legal battles, including a case where the ASPCA paid $9.3 million after losing a lawsuit filed by Feld [source: Allen]. The situation around elephant cruelty prevention became contentious, with Feld claiming their decision to retire elephants by 2018 was aimed at supporting Asian elephant conservation. However, animal rights advocates questioned why the process would take three years [source: Izadi].

2: Flea Circuses Are Real (Even if the Fleas Aren't)

While humane treatment of animals is crucial, the circus should also bring joy. Let’s shift to a lighter topic: a circus attraction shrouded in mystery because its very existence is debated. Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to discover the fascinating world of fleas.

The biggest question about the flea circus is whether fleas are actually involved. Professor A.G. Gertsacov, ringmaster of the Acme Miniature Flea Circus, claims to use pulex irritans (human fleas) in his performances, where they pull tiny chariots [source: Viera]. However, not all shows are genuine — some rely on electronics or magnets to animate props.

Historically, in 1578, a blacksmith named Mark Scalliot gained fame in London for crafting a tiny gold collar for a flea, marking the earliest recorded flea circus [source: Furgurson].

1: When Circus Animals Retire

Not all circus animals perform until the end of their lives. Some spend their later years free from the demands of balancing on hind legs or leaping through hoops. When the Great British Circus sold their animals in 2012, they even advertised a zebra and two horses in the classifieds of Horse and Hound Magazine [source: Animal Defenders International].

Interestingly, some circus animals aren’t owned by the shows themselves but by private individuals who lease them out. Once retired, these animals return to their owners’ care [source: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey]. Others, like elephants, may relocate to zoos to live among their kind. Many, however, find homes in wildlife sanctuaries, such as those operated by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Florida for elephants and big cats.