Did you know?
Oct 26, 2010
<b>Donkeys</b><br>Donkeys are related to horses and zebras. The donkey is a descendant of the African wild ass, which is now rare in the wild.
Donkeys
Donkeys are related to horses and zebras. The donkey is a descendant of the African wild ass, which is now rare in the wild.
Adaptations
In the wild, donkeys do not live in herds like other animals because they usually occupy marginal desert-lands where food is generally scarce.
As a result they have developed very loud ‘voices’, which can carry just over three kilometres. Their large ears do not only enable them to stay in contact with one another but also help to dissipate heat on a hot day.
Donkeys have a very tough digestive system that can break down almost inedible vegetation and at the same time extract and save as much moisture as possible.
Although many donkeys are the familiar grey-dun (mouse grey) colour, there are many other coat shades . There are spotted donkeys, black, white, every shade of grey and brown and albino-white. They can also be of a pink (light red mixed with grey-dun) or ‘strawberry roan’.
Life span
Donkeys can live for 20 years or more. Some have been recorded as living to the old age of 60, although a 40-year-old donkey is considered to be elderly.
Why people keep donkeys
A donkey can protect sheep, cattle and goats.
Once a donkey has bonded with a herd it will protect them against predators (foxes, dogs) as it would one of its own. It beds down with the animals at night and on hearing any strange noises will voice a warning to the herd and chase, often trampling, the predator.
In many developing countries, a donkey is used to pull loads and carts and to work mills and wells.
Donkeys are related to horses and zebras. The donkey is a descendant of the African wild ass, which is now rare in the wild.
Adaptations
In the wild, donkeys do not live in herds like other animals because they usually occupy marginal desert-lands where food is generally scarce.
As a result they have developed very loud ‘voices’, which can carry just over three kilometres. Their large ears do not only enable them to stay in contact with one another but also help to dissipate heat on a hot day.
Donkeys have a very tough digestive system that can break down almost inedible vegetation and at the same time extract and save as much moisture as possible.
Although many donkeys are the familiar grey-dun (mouse grey) colour, there are many other coat shades . There are spotted donkeys, black, white, every shade of grey and brown and albino-white. They can also be of a pink (light red mixed with grey-dun) or ‘strawberry roan’.
Life span
Donkeys can live for 20 years or more. Some have been recorded as living to the old age of 60, although a 40-year-old donkey is considered to be elderly.
Why people keep donkeys
A donkey can protect sheep, cattle and goats.
Once a donkey has bonded with a herd it will protect them against predators (foxes, dogs) as it would one of its own. It beds down with the animals at night and on hearing any strange noises will voice a warning to the herd and chase, often trampling, the predator.
In many developing countries, a donkey is used to pull loads and carts and to work mills and wells.