1. Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum chordata
Sub phylum vertebrata
Super class gnathostomata
Class mammalia
Sub class theria
Infra class eutherian
Order perissodactyla
Family equidae
Genus equus
Species equus asinus
Geographic Range True wild asses are found only in northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula, but domesticated and feral
donkeys can now be found in all parts of the world. The native range extends from Morocco to Somalia and Mesopotamia to Oman.
Habitat Domestic donkeys are widely distributed and can be found almost everywhere in the world. However, true wild
asses originated in the hilly, undulating deserts of northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula and are well-adapted for life in the
desert. Domestic donkeys prefer warm, dry climates and, if left to become feral, they will return to such a habitat, like the feral
burros of Death Valley National Park in California. Deserts are characterized by low, unpredictable rainfall and sparse veget ation.
Habitat Regions= temperate terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes desert or dune savanna or grassland
Physical Description Donkeys resemble horses and are characterized by their large head,long ears, and cow-like tail.
They come in black, white, paint, and all shades of brown and gray, but the most common is a mousy gray color called gray dun.
Many donkeys are spotted, speckled, or striped. Most solid-color donkeys have a dark dorsal stripe from mane to tail and a dark
stripe across their shoulders.They have an erect mane and lack the forelock of a horse. Their hair can be straight, curly, short and
wiry, or long and wooly. Wild asses average 200 cm in body length, 45 cm in tail length, 125 cm at the shoulder, and weight 250
kg. Domestic breed size varies greatly depending on breed. Miniatures, the smallest breed of donkeys,stand less than 36 inches (92
cm) at the shoulder and weigh less than 400 pounds (180 kg). Standard donkeys,the average-sized breed, range from 36 inches to
48 inches (92 cm to 123 cm) and weigh 400 to 500 pounds (180 to 225 kg). Mammoth stock, the largest breed of donkeys,stand at
an average height of 56 inches (143 cm) and weigh about 950 pounds (430 kg). Miniature and mammoth stockdonkeys have been
bred by humans to possess certain characteristics that are more desirable or suitable for specific purposes.For example, miniature
donkeys are often preferred as pets because their small size makes them easier to care for, and the larger mammoth stock donkeys
are strongerwork animals than standard donkeys are. There is generally very little sexual dimorphism in donkeys.Wild asses have
the longest and narrowest hooves of any Equus species. Other Physical Features endothermic homoiothermic bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism sexes alike
Reproduction Smaller herds of wild asses are generally made up of one male and several females. Larger herds have
multiple males and females. There don't seem to be any permanent bonds among individuals, herds are highly flexible, breaking up
and reforming on an almost daily basis.Dominant male wild asses sometimes defend large territories in which many potential mates
are also found. Subordinate males are also tolerated within the dominant male's territory. Mating Systempolygynous
Domesticated donkeys can be bred at any time of year, wild asses generally breed in the wet season.The gestation period is usually
12 months, and foals weigh between 19 and 30 pounds (8.6 to 13.6 kg) at birth. Donkey foals are fully developed at birth and can
usually stand and nurse about 30 minutes after birth. The young are weaned from the mother at about 5 months of age. Females
reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age and can give birth to one foal each year after that. Males may reach sexual maturity as early
as 2 years old but are more likely to become dominant enough to control mating at 3 to 4 years old. Members of the genus Equus
can often interbreed to produce hybrids. Donkeys can be bred with horses and zebras to produce sterile hybrids. A cross betwe en a
male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare) produces a mule. A cross between a female donkey (jennet or jenny) and a male horse
(stallion) produces a hinny. A cross between a zebra and a donkey produces a zebrass or a zonkey. Female wild asses nurse and care
for their young until they are weaned at about 5 months old. Young wild asses are capable of standing and following their mothers
within a few hours of birth. Parental Investment no parental involvement precocial pre-fertilization protecting female pre-
hatching/birth provisioning female protecting female pre-weaning/fledging provisioning female protecting female pre-
independence provisioning female protecting female
Lifespan/Longevity The average life span of a wild donkey is 25 to 30 years, but in captivity they can live to be 40 to 50
years old.
Behavior Donkeys are social animals. They are most active in the morning and evening, resting during the heat of the day.
In the wild they travel in herds of several individuals to up to one hundred individuals, with an average group size of 4.7 animals.
Donkeys are observant and cautious animals. They will refuse to do anything that seems dangerous to them. This behavior has
earned the donkey its reputation for being stubborn,but actually, domestic donkeys are very obedient animals and will not refuse
any reasonable order. When a donkey is startled by something, it usually will not run blindly in fear. Its natural instinct is to freeze
or run a few steps,then look to see what frightened it. This is unlike the behavior of horses, which tend to panic and "bolt" when
frightened. Domestic donkeys interact well with other livestock animals such as horses, cows, goats, sheep, and llamas. Donkeys
are passive by nature, but will aggressively protect their young,and can be trained to protect sheep and goats as well. Donkey s will
not hesitate to attack and trample large dogs or even humans if they perceive the animal to be a threat. Standard size domestic
2. donkeys are useful for halter-breaking young calves and foals. By giving the donkey the job of training the animals, the calf or foal
will be more inclined to trust a human, since they do not associate the unpleasant training experience with the human. Donkeys are
used as companions for weaned foals and for nervous,injured, or recovering animals. They have a calming, soothing effect on the
animals and help to reduce the stress of traumatic situations. Donkeys are also being used as companion animals in recreational
riding programs for children and for mentally and physically handicapped people.Their affectionate, calm, patient dispositio n make
them ideal for use as a companion animal for other livestock and people. (Honolulu Zoo, 2000; Nowak, 1997; Oklahoma State
University, 1996a; Oklahoma State University, 1996b; Rachau, 1996)
Communication and Perception Wild asses use visual displays, smells, physical contact, and vocalizations to
communicate. They have keen hearing and good senses of vision and smell.
Food Habits Donkeys are grazing herbivores, with large, flat-surfaced teeth adapted for tearing and chewing plant
matter. Their primary food is grass, but they also eat other shrubs and desert plants. Like many other grazing animals, they grasp
the plant first with their muscular lips, pull it into their mouth, and then tear it off with their teeth. In a study of feral donkeys in
Arizona, they were found to eat 33% forbs and 40% browse. (Nowak, 1997)
Predation Living in groups increases the number of animals keeping an eye out for predators. Most predation probably
occurs on foals and elderly animals. Predators on wild donkeys may have included lions and wolves.
Ecosystem Roles Wild donkeys impact desert vegetation through their grazing and browsing.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive Since donkeys were first domesticated about six thousand years ago,
they have been very important in human economies. Egyptian tombs of Dynasty IV (ca. 2675 to 2565 B.C.) indicate that ownership
of donkeys was a status symbol, and the elite of society may have owned herds of over a thousand head. Donkeys played a very
important role in developing long-distance trade in Egypt, because of their weight-bearing capacity and their adaptation for desert
travel. In ancient Egypt, female donkeys were kept as dairy animals. Donkey milk is higher in sugarand protein than cow's milk.
The milk was also used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Donkey meat was eaten as food by many people. There were
domesticated donkeys in Europe by the second millenium B.C. and the first donkeys came to the New World with Christopher
Columbus in 1495. Donkeys were introduced to the United States with Mexican explorers. Many of the wild donkeys in the
southwestern United States are descendants ofescaped or abandoned burros brought by Mexican explorers during the Gold Rush.
Throughout history donkeys have been invaluable as beasts of burden. Even today, donkeys are of great economic importance
especially in remote areas. They are being used extensively in efforts to boost the economy and alleviate poverty in poorer areas of
the world. Miniature donkeys are very popular as companion animals and for show. Mammoth stockare still used as draft animals
in small farming businesses around the world.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative The cost of population control of feral donkeys in North America
and Europe have been appreciable in some areas. Feral donkeys may contribute to habitat degradation and erosion, particularly in
areas where they are not native. (Phillips and The Wild Burro Rescue and Preservation Project, 1999)
Conservation Status Although the future of wild and feral donkeys is uncertain, domestic donkeys are not in danger of
extinction in the foreseeable future. However, donkey lovers in the United States and Europe have founded many organizations
dedicated to the rescue, preservation, and care of wild, abandoned,or unwanted donkeys.Feral donkeys in Death Valley Nation al
Park, California, were under strict population control for many years because they were competing with desert bighorn sheep for
very limited resources.Many authorities felt that donkeys were driving the already threatened bighorn sheep to extinction, a nd about
400 wild donkeys were shot between 1987 and 1995 by National Park Service Rangers as part of their "Direct Reduction" policy.
