What is a Donkey?

Donkeys are relatives to horses and zebras. These three animals are all members of the Equidae family. The donkey is widely believed to be a descendant of the Nubian subspecies of African Wild Ass which is now rare and found in only a few remote parts the African continent.

Donkeys are different from horses mainly in its physical appearance. Donkey’s ears are very much noticeably larger than that of a horse in terms of proportion to its over all size. Donkeys have a much straighter neck, its crump and romp sizes differs from the horse, lacking in withers make up a straighter back of the donkeys and the tail and mane of donkeys are coarse leaving the tail to be covered with short body hair for its entirety.

Donkeys need shelter during times when rains pour heavily because as another difference with horses, donkey’s fur does not have waterproof capability.

Unlike Horses who adapts in a close knit herd and stables type of living condition, Donkeys are very much at ease in occupying and living in wide open marginal desert lands where there are almost a scarcity of food sources. For this reasons Donkeys have developed a distinguished loud voices that produces raspy and brassy sounds that can be heard for at least three kilometers away. This ability allows them to interact and communicate with one another.

Donkeys digestive system is something that stands out, it can easily break down the most inedible vegetation food and at the same time save and extract as many moisture as possible.

When push comes to shove in the wild, Donkey are also capable of defending themselves properly by using their hind legs for a forceful kick.

Most domestic Donkey stands between 35 to 55 inches tall. Unlike horses Donkeys needs a much smaller amount of food, they are prone to a disease called laminitis if they are overfed.

Domestic Donkeys are also classified by their sizes rather than their breed as a result of cross generational breeding there weren’t enough pure breeds left.

The size categories are:

Miniature - 35 inches (91 cm)
Small Standard – 39 inches (101 cm)
Standard – 48 inches (122 cm)
Large Standard – 55 inches (142 cm)
Mammoth Jacks – Over 55 inches (over 142 cm)

Most Donkeys have a mouse gray color but there are donkeys that have different colors like black, white, all shades of gray, brown and even albino white. There are also donkeys that were known as “strawberry roan” because of their pink color (a mixture of grey dun and light red).
The average lifespan of Donkeys ranges from 25 years to its considered elderly age of 40 years. Some lucky Donkeys have been recorded to live through the ripe old age of 60.
Facts regarding the difference between Donkeys and Horses:

Donkeys have a much higher form of intelligence; they are patient and make up for better pack animals, but they are much less powerful and slower than Horses.
Donkeys are more properly adaptable to desert marginal lands as compared to Horses which thrives in lush grass field regions.
During times of panic and danger, Donkeys will simply stay put in one place as compared to Horses whose tendency is to run away.
Donkeys are considered to be more laid back than Horses.

Donkeys are a wonderful animal although very much different from Horses, donkeys can also have their fair share of uses like protecting fellow herd animals such as sheep and cattle goats from predators, a reliable stable companion of horses and even be used as a ride for the disabled people because Donkeys are considered kind, patient and affectionate animal.

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