Donkey

The donkey is related to the horse and zebra, all of which belong to the same family: Equus. Donkeys were supposedly domesticated around 5000 years ago in the northeast of Africa. All donkeys are descended from the African Wild Ass, which is now critically endangered.

The loud call of the donkey can be heard for over three kilometres and enables this animal to communicate with other donkeys over large distances. Donkeys have large ears, which pick up more distant sounds and may help cool the donkey’s blood. They can defend themselves by biting, striking with the front hooves or kicking with the hind legs.

Wild donkeys have adapted to living in near desert environments and because of this, donkeys have very hardy immune and digestive systems. This allows them to be able to process and gain nutrition from vegetation with very little nutritional value.