Donkeys have been known to antiquity. In fact, they are heard of even in the story of Jesus. But what can we know about them when it comes to science? Well, let's diving into the research and find out what is unique and interesting about this awesome guy.
Physical Description and Behavior
The Donkey is a domesticated member of the horse family, who has a wild cousin known as the African Wild Ass (E. africanus). Their size can change drastically from one to another, from 31 to 63 inches. They can also weigh from 180 pounds to well over 1000 pounds. They can also have a lifespan all the way up to about 50 years in some countries.
While Donkeys tend to be playful and eager to learn, they are also well known for being stubborn. It is not common to be able to force or frighten a donkey into doing something that it doesn't want to do. They are also herbivores and generally live off of scraps that many other animals might find hard to consume.
They also normally give birth to just one single foal at a time. In fact, less than 2% of all of the pregnancies result in twins. They can even interbreed with some members of the Horse family, such as a male Donkey (a Jack) mating with a Mare generally results in the Mule. However, a result of this generally makes the resulting animal infertile.
Habitat and Location
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They are adapted to live in more arid climates, even though they are pretty much bred and used all over the world. Unlike their wild cousins, who are currently critically endangered.
If you want to learn more about Donkeys, mules, and their reproduction, consider watching this awesome video by Minute Earth