DonkeyInteresting facts and information

• The domestic donkey (Equus africanus asinus) descends from African wild asses. People keep donkeys for work and companionship in many regions. Domestic donkeys and threatened wild asses have different conservation situations.

Donkeys are sturdy plant-eating mammals well adapted to rough ground and dry climates. Compared with horses, they are usually smaller, tougher and more cautious, with an efficient metabolism and remarkable intelligence.

Main physical features:

Special adaptations:

• Large ears - Help them lose heat in hot climates and hear danger, and other donkeys, from far away.
• An efficient digestive system - Extracts nutrients and water from poor food, so donkeys survive in harsh conditions.
• Great strength - A healthy donkey can carry a load of roughly 20-30% of its body weight; heavier loads harm its welfare.
• Defensive kicks - When a donkey feels threatened, it can kick with great force.

Donkeys are intelligent, curious and very cautious animals. Unlike horses, which tend to run at the first sign of danger, donkeys often stop and assess the situation first, which has given them their reputation for being "stubborn".

Social behaviour:

• Living alone or in small groups - In the wild, donkeys often live alone, in pairs or in small groups.
• Strong bonds - Donkeys form close friendships, and if a donkey loses its companion, it may become depressed and stop eating.
• Loud calls - Their brays carry a long way, which helps them stay in contact across large areas.
• Guarding livestock - On many farms, donkeys are used to protect sheep and goats from foxes and dogs, because they react strongly to intruders.

Feeding and survival:

• Opportunistic herbivores - Donkeys eat grass, hay, leaves, bark and even dry, tough plants.
• Coping without water - Donkeys can go longer without water than horses, getting some moisture from plants, and can drink a lot quickly when they reach water.
• Coping with heat - Their bodies are well adapted to hot, dry conditions.

Defence and survival strategies:

• Powerful kicks - Donkeys can defend themselves against predators such as wolves and wild dogs.
• Natural caution - They avoid places that look dangerous and remember safe routes very well.
• Close relationships - Donkeys can become very attached to people or to other donkeys.

Donkeys are very adaptable and are found all over the world, mostly as domestic animals, with some feral populations.

Habitat types:

Geographic distribution:

• North-east Africa - The home of the African wild ass, the donkey's wild ancestor.
• Asia - Donkeys are widely used for transport and work, including in mountain areas.
• Europe and the Americas - Domestic donkeys are kept on farms, for tourism and as companions.
• Australia and the USA - Feral donkeys, called burros in the USA, live in dry areas and are considered invasive in Australia.

Impact of human activities on donkeys:

• Habitat loss - The African wild ass has declined sharply because of hunting, competition with livestock and habitat loss.
• The donkey skin trade - In some regions, many donkeys are killed for their skins, which are used to make a gelatine (ejiao) for traditional Chinese medicine.
• Abandonment - In many countries, donkeys are abandoned when they are no longer needed for work.

Donkeys are incredibly resilient animals, but some populations urgently need protection.

Donkeys are herbivores adapted to eating food that is low in nutrients, thanks to an extremely efficient digestive system. They can live in dry environments because they get the most out of the plants they eat.

Types of food:

Feeding methods:

• Slow, thorough chewing - Donkeys chew their food carefully and digest dry, fibrous plants very efficiently.
• Eating tough plants - They can digest coarse, fibrous vegetation, which helps them survive in dry areas.
• Drinking - Donkeys can drink a large amount of water quickly when they find it, which helps them in deserts. Related profile: Desert animals.

Thanks to their adaptable diet, donkeys can live in places where many other herbivores could not survive.

Donkeys breed slowly. Females usually give birth to a single foal, and their pregnancy is longer than a horse's.

Life cycle stages:

Reproductive behaviour:

• Protective mothers - Jennies defend their foals from predators and other dangers.
• Strong family ties - Donkeys can form lasting bonds with their foals and other group members.
• Controlled breeding - On many farms, donkey breeding is managed to prevent too many births or unwanted crosses.

Thanks to its long life and tough nature, the donkey is a valuable animal, although it breeds more slowly than many other domestic herbivores.

The donkey is one of the oldest domestic animals: people have used donkeys for more than 5,000 years. Descended from the African wild ass, it has spread to every continent because of its vital role in farming and transport.

Origin of the name:

• "Donkey" - The English word appeared in the 18th century and its origin is uncertain. The older English word "ass" comes from the Latin asinus.
• The scientific name Equus africanus asinus refers to its wild African ancestor, Equus africanus.
• Names in other languages - âne in French and burro or asno in Spanish.

Taxonomic classification:

The donkey in history and culture:

• Ancient Egypt - Donkeys were used for transport and work and appear in Egyptian art.
• The Roman Empire - Donkeys were used on farms and to carry goods over long distances.
• The Middle Ages - Donkeys were essential on European farms because they were cheaper to keep than horses.
• Folk culture - In many regions, donkeys are symbols of hard work, humility and perseverance.

The donkey is one of the oldest and most versatile domestic animals and has had a profound impact on human civilisation.

Donkeys appear in myths, religions and traditions around the world, where they are linked with work, patience, humility and endurance. Throughout history, they have been both respected and mocked, and they play an important role in folklore and symbolism.

The donkey in mythology and religion:

• The Bible and Christianity - The donkey appears many times in the Bible as a symbol of humility; Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a sign of peace and humility.
• Greek mythology - Donkeys were linked with the god Dionysus and his companion Silenus, who rode a donkey.
• European folklore - In many medieval stories, the donkey is a loyal but underestimated animal that stands for the humble worker.
• Asia - In China and India, donkeys are valued as patient, hard-working animals, important in farming and transport.

What the donkey symbolises:

• Humility and patience - The donkey is linked with ordinary working people and is a symbol of perseverance.
• Stubborn or wise? - In many cultures, the donkey is seen either as stubborn or as careful and clever.
• Protection and loyalty - In some cultures, donkeys are seen as guardians of herds and homes.

Domestic donkeys are widespread and not at risk, but wild asses are seriously threatened, and some traditional donkey breeds are declining because farming has become mechanised.

Conservation status

Main threats:

1. Habitat loss - Wild asses are affected by farming, settlements and competition with livestock.
2. The skin trade - In some countries, large numbers of donkeys are killed for their skins, used in traditional Chinese medicine.
3. Less use for work - In many regions, donkeys are abandoned as farming becomes mechanised.
4. Competition for food - Wild and feral donkeys compete with livestock and wildlife for grazing and water.

Conservation efforts:

• Protecting wild asses - Reserves in Africa and Asia try to save the remaining wild populations.
• Donkey sanctuaries - In many countries, animal welfare organisations care for abandoned and mistreated donkeys.
• Campaigns against the skin trade - Several countries have banned the export of donkey skins to protect their donkey populations.

Domestic donkeys are still very numerous, but wild asses need urgent conservation measures.

Donkeys in literature:

• Don Quixote (Miguel de Cervantes, 1605) - Sancho Panza travels on a donkey, often called Dapple in English translations, a symbol of the simple, practical man.
• One Thousand and One Nights - Donkeys appear in many of the tales.
• European fairy tales - Donkeys are often foolish or magical characters, and some can even talk.

Donkeys in film and television:

• Shrek (2001-2010) - Donkey, Shrek's loyal and funny friend, is one of the best-known donkeys in popular culture.
• Winnie-the-Pooh - Eeyore, the gloomy old grey donkey, is one of the best-loved characters.
• Pinocchio (Disney, 1940) - Naughty boys on Pleasure Island are turned into donkeys as a punishment.

Donkeys in video games:

• Minecraft - Donkeys can be ridden and used to carry items.

Donkeys as cultural symbols:

• A symbol of hard work - In many cultures, donkeys stand for work and perseverance.
• A symbol in politics - In the United States, the donkey is the symbol of the Democratic Party.