Donkey

The donkey (Equus africanus asinus) is an animal of the horse family, smaller than the horse, with hair that is usually dark, a large head and long ears, used as a draught animal.

The ancestors of the modern donkey are subspecies of the wild African donkey (Equus africanus) that lived in Nubia and Somalia. Donkeys were first domesticated around 3000 BC, or 4000 BC probably, in Egypt or Mesopotamia and spread throughout the world.

Donkeys vary considerably in size, depending on the breed. Height at withers ranges from 80-160 cm and weight from 80-480 kg. Donkeys have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years.

About 41 million donkeys were reported worldwide in 2006. China has the most (11 million), followed by Pakistan, Ethiopia and Mexico. Some researchers believe the actual number is slightly higher, as many donkeys are not counted.
Did you know that...?
● the donkey is considered a holy animal because it carried the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus on its back and was thus rewarded with the sign of the Holy Cross on its back
● donkey milk is used to treat whooping cough and even in cosmetics
● In the past the commercial city of Damascus was known as the "City of Donkeys".
● a donkey's roar lasts 20 seconds and can be heard 3 km away
● they are stronger than a horse of the same size
● they have an extraordinary memory, so they can recognise a donkey they haven't seen for 25 years
● the smallest donkeys are only 90 cm long (Mediterranean miniature donkeys, originally from Sicily) and the largest are over 135 cm long (mammoth donkeys)