donkeys
Donkeys are different
There is a tendency to treat donkeys as if they are small horses with big ears but donkeys are different. They differ both physically and in their behaviour. Millions of years ago donkeys and horses had the same ancestors, but they evolved to be very different species. Understanding these differences is of vital importance to the correct care and welfare of donkeys.
The modern domesticated donkey is descended from African wild ass ancestors, of which there were two separate species: the Nubian wild ass and the Somali wild ass. Donkeys
were first domesticated around 6,000 years ago in North Africa for meat and milk. Around 2,000 years ago donkeys were among the draught animals used to carry silk along the Silk Road from China and the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean in return for trade goods. The overland route was approximately 4,000 miles, a journey of several years which no single animal completed. Unplanned mating’s on route resulted in the mixing of breeds, giving us the diverse range of donkey breeds we have now.
From Africa donkeys have spread worldwide, with an estimated world population of over 44 million donkeys and 15 million mules and hinnies. Half of the world’s donkey population, almost all of which is used for work, is found in Asia, just over one quarter in Africa, and the rest mainly in Latin America.
Donkeys today come in a variety of sizes and colours, with 186 separate breeds being recognised worldwide. The most common coat colour is grey and the rarest colour is pure white.
Donkeys vary in size, with heights at the withers ranging from 7.3 hands (31 inches, 79 cm) in the miniature, to Poitou donkeys measuring up to 15.3 hands (63 inches, 160 cm). An adult donkey can weigh from 80 to 480 kg.
Owning or caring for a donkey is a rewarding experience, although it is important to realise just how much time, effort and
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