# Donkey (*Equus asinus*) Donkeys are gentle animals known for their long ears and strong bodies. They are great at carrying loads and can be very friendly companions. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Ass ![Donkey](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426254/objects/1723.jpg) ## Appearance The Donkey has a sturdy body, often with short, stiff fur in shades of grey, brown, black, or even white. They are easily recognized by their distinctively long ears and a short, upright mane, along with a tail that has a tuft of hair at the end. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Equidae - **Genus:** Equus ## Interesting facts - A group of donkeys is called a "herd," a "pace," or even a "drove." - Donkeys are super social and love making friends with other animals! - Donkeys can carry up to 30% of their own body weight on their backs! - Their amazing "hee-haw" bray can travel up to 3 miles in the wild! ## Special abilities - **Tough Traveler:** Donkey can carry heavy loads over long distances and rough terrain because of their strong, sure-footed hooves. - **Desert Navigator:** Donkey has large ears that help them hear distant sounds and regulate body temperature in hot, dry environments. - **Resourceful Eater:** Donkey can survive on sparse, coarse vegetation that many other grazing animals cannot digest. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-140 cm - **Weight:** 100-250 kg - **Lifespan:** 25-40 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 360-370 days ## Diet & Feeding Donkeys are plant-eaters who love to graze on tough grasses and other fibrous plants. - **Primary Foods:** grass, hay, shrubs, leaves, bark - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Wild African asses are often prey for lions. - **Eaten by:** Grey Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — Feral donkeys can be hunted by wolves in some areas. - **Parasitizes:** Scabies Mite (*Sarcoptes scabiei*) — These tiny mites can cause severe skin irritation. - **Depends on:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Donkeys rely on humans for care in domestication. ## 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. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always be calm and gentle around donkeys, and never startle them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Donkey? 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 Donkey? 90-140 cm ### How much does Donkey weigh? 100-250 kg ### How long does Donkey live? 25-40 years ### How fast can Donkey move? 50 km/h ### What does Donkey eat? Donkeys are plant-eaters who love to graze on tough grasses and other fibrous plants. ### Where is Donkey usually found? Grasslands ### How does Donkey hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [Tierpark Weeze](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-weeze) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark Zabakuck](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-zabakuck) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo - [Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wales-ape-and-monkey-sanctuary) — Wales, GB · Zoo - [Arche Warder](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arche-warder) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Zoo - [Freizeitzentrum Finkenrech (Eppelborn)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/freizeitzentrum-finkenrech-eppelborn) — Saarland, DE · Park - [KALISTO Tierpark & Café](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kalisto-tierpark) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Donkey](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/donkey) ## Watch - [Play video: Donkey](https://www.snappit.app/videos/donkey) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=BltsLQ3QL-M) ## 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: [Donkey: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/donkey)