Donkey

The donkey or ass is a domesticated animal related to horses, known scientifically as either Equus africanus asinus or Equus asinus. It comes from the African wild ass and was first tamed in Africa between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago. Donkeys have been important working animals for thousands of years.

Today, there are over 40 million donkeys around the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries. They help people by carrying heavy loads or pulling things, which is called being a draught or pack animal. Some donkeys are kept as pets or for breeding in wealthier places.

Male donkeys are called jacks or jackasses, and female donkeys are called jennies or jennets. When a jack is mated with a female horse (mare), they produce a special animal called a mule. If a male horse (stallion) mates with a jenny, the offspring is called a hinny. Donkeys are strong, loyal, and have been good friends to people for many centuries.

Nomenclature

The scientific name for the donkey has changed over time. It is now known as Equus africanus asinus when it is considered a subspecies, or Equus asinus when it is considered a separate species.

The word "donkey" first appeared in the years 1784 or 1785. Before that, people often used the word "ass" to describe a donkey. Over time, "donkey" became more common, possibly because "ass" had other meanings that people wanted to avoid. Different places have their own words for donkeys, like "burro" in Spanish and Portuguese.

History

See also: Evolution of the horse

The genus Equus, which includes all living equines, evolved from earlier animals like Dinohippus. One of the oldest known species is Equus simplicidens, which looked like a zebra but had a head shape similar to a donkey. Fossils of these ancient equines are about 3.5 million years old and were found in Idaho in the United States.

The ancestors of today’s donkeys were the Nubian and Somalian subspecies of the African wild ass. People began domesticating donkeys around 5,000 to 7,000 years ago in Africa. They were important to early cultures because they could carry heavy loads without needing to rest to chew their cud like cows. In ancient Egypt, donkeys were used in farming, for food, and even as pack animals. Wealthy people owned many donkeys, and some were buried with their owners as a sign of their importance.

Donkeys spread to Southwest Asia by the end of the fourth millennium BC and to Mesopotamia by 1800 BC. They became popular in places like Damascus for riding and in Syria for different types of work. By the second millennium BC, donkeys had reached Europe, likely arriving with the spread of wine-making. They were brought to the Americas by Christopher Columbus in 1495 and were used in mining and other work in places like Mexico and the western United States.

Characteristics

Donkeys come in many sizes, usually ranging from about 90 to 150 centimeters tall. They can live longer in wealthier countries, often up to 30 to 50 years, compared to 12 to 15 years in poorer regions.

Donkeys are well-suited to dry and desert areas. They have large ears that help them hear sounds from far away and stay cool. Donkeys can make loud brays that carry over long distances, helping them stay in touch with others. They can defend themselves by biting or kicking. Most donkeys have a special cross-shaped pattern on their backs.

Donkeys usually have one baby every year after a pregnancy of about 12 months. They can have offspring with horses, creating animals called mules or hinnies, which are often used for work. Donkeys are known for being cautious and intelligent, and they form strong bonds with people they trust.

Uses

The donkey has been a helpful working animal for over 5000 years. Today, most donkeys live in countries where they help carry heavy loads or pull things for farming. They can also be ridden, used to move water, or help with other tasks. In places where they are not needed for work, donkeys may be kept as pets, used to give children rides, or help protect sheep from predators.

In some countries, donkey meat is eaten, and their milk is used for special products. Donkeys have also helped in wars, carrying supplies and even helping to move wounded soldiers to safety.

Care

Donkeys need regular care to stay healthy. Their hooves are more elastic than horses’ and don’t wear down naturally, so they often need clipping to prevent damage. When working, donkeys may need special small shoes, similar to horseshoes but without toe-clips.

Donkeys can survive on less food than horses. They are good at digesting rough plants and need only about 1.5 percent of their body weight in food each day. They get energy from plants and do well when they eat small amounts over long periods. In dry areas, they can graze for six to seven hours a day. If they can’t graze, they need hay or other dried plants, plus salt, minerals, and clean water.

Feral populations

In some places, domestic donkeys have gone back to living wild and formed groups called feral populations. Examples include the burro of North America and the Asinara donkey of Sardinia, Italy, which both have special protection.

Feral donkeys can sometimes cause problems, especially in places where animals like them have never lived before. In Australia, there are around 5 million feral donkeys, and they are seen as harmful to the environment. They can compete with other animals for food and water, spread weeds, and damage the land.

Donkey hybrids

The earliest known donkey hybrid was the kunga, used as a strong animal in ancient Syrian and Mesopotamian kingdoms. It came from crossing a wild male Syrian wild ass with a female domestic donkey. These animals were important and often given as gifts, used in battles, and even buried with important people.

Today, crossing a male donkey with a female horse creates a mule, while a male horse with a female donkey makes a hinny. These hybrids usually cannot have babies themselves. Other fun mixes include the zonkey, which comes from a zebra and a donkey.