# Baudet du Poitou The Baudet du Poitou is a special breed of donkey known for its long, shaggy coat and big ears. These friendly animals are great at carrying heavy loads and are very gentle with people. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Poitou Donkey ![Baudet du Poitou](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Poitou-female-one-year-old.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sudorculus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poitou-female-one-year-old.jpg) ## Appearance The Baudet du Poitou is a very large donkey with a distinctive, shaggy, long coat that is usually dark brown or black. It has long, heavily haired ears and a substantial head, making it visually unique among donkey breeds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae - **Genus:** Equus ## Interesting facts - Baudet du Poitou donkeys have ears so long, they can measure over 30 centimeters! - Their incredibly shaggy coat can grow so long it forms natural dreadlocks! - Their powerful 'bray' can be heard echoing across the countryside for miles! - These donkeys are one of the oldest and largest donkey breeds in the world! ## Special abilities - **Strong Hauler:** Baudet du Poitou can carry heavy loads because of its robust build and powerful legs, ideal for farm work. - **Temperature Regulator:** Baudet du Poitou has a thick, shaggy coat that helps them stay warm in cold weather and protected in heat. - **Keen Hearing:** Baudet du Poitou has long ears that help them detect sounds from far away, alerting them to surroundings. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 200-240 cm - **Weight:** 350-450 kg - **Lifespan:** 25-40 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 365-380 days ## Diet & Feeding These big donkeys munch on grass and hay to get all their energy as plant-eaters. - **Primary Foods:** Grass, Hay, Cereals, Forage - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — for food, shelter, and breeding efforts. - **Eats:** [Kentucky Bluegrass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentucky-bluegrass) (*Poa pratensis*) — a primary component of their pasture diet. - **Eats:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — a nutritious forage plant found in their habitat. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always approach donkeys slowly and gently, and ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Baudet du Poitou? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Baudet du Poitou? 200-240 cm ### How much does Baudet du Poitou weigh? 350-450 kg ### How long does Baudet du Poitou live? 25-40 years ### How fast can Baudet du Poitou move? 30 km/h ### What does Baudet du Poitou eat? These big donkeys munch on grass and hay to get all their energy as plant-eaters. ### Where is Baudet du Poitou usually found? Grasslands ### How does Baudet du Poitou hunt? Grazing ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Baudet du Poitou: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/baudet-du-poitou)