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Encyclopedia :
D :
DO :
DON :
Donkey |
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DonkeyThe donkey or ass (Equus asinus) is a domesticated animal of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestors of the donkey are African. AppearanceDonkeys are typical equids, generally smaller than the domestic horse, though mammoth jacks can be as large as 17 hands (170cm at the shoulder). They come in a variety of sizes and breeds just like the horse family, ranging in size from miniatures, standard (pony size) to mammoth (full grown horse sizes). They have long ears and a "broomtail" similar to a cow's tail. Relationship to horsesA male donkey (jackass or jack) can be crossed with a female horse to produce a mule. A male horse can be crossed with a female donkey (jennet or jenny) to produce a hinny. These hybrids are almost always sterile because horses have 64 chromosomes and donkeys have 62, producing offspring with 63 chromosomes. Due to different mating behavior, mules are much more common than hinnies: before the male mounts the female, the latter kicks vigorously at the former. In donkeys, this behavior is much more intense; thus, a stallion will often simply not mate with a jenny because he is taking more of a beating than he is expecting to get and will refuse to mate. Moreover, mules are more easily handled and also physically stronger than hinnies, making them more desirable for breeders to produce. Economic useFrom before the dawn of recorded history, donkeys have been used in Europe and western Asia to carry loads, pull carts, and carry riders. Though not as fast as a horse, they are long-lived, cheaper to maintain than horses, have great endurance, and are agile on poor tracks. They remain of crucial economic importance in many developing countries.
Donkeys have a reputation for stubbornness, but this is due to some handlers' misinterpretation of their highly-developed sense of self preservation. It is difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something it sees as contrary to its own best interest, as opposed to horses who are much more willing to, for example, go along a path with unsafe footing. Although formal studies of their behaviour and cognition are rather limited, donkeys appear to be quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful, and eager to learn. Once you have earned their confidence they can be willing and companionable partners in work and recreation. For this reason, they are now commonly kept as pets in countries where their use as beasts of burden has disappeared. They are also popular for giving rides to children in holiday resorts or other leisure contexts. In prosperous countries, the welfare of donkeys both at home and abroad has recently become a concern, and a number of sanctuaries for retired donkeys have been set up. The Wild Burro of the Southwestern United States is the descendent of the beasts of burden used and abandoned by the early prospectors. These animals, considered to be a living legacy, have lately been at risk due to drought. The Bureau of Land Management conducts round-ups of endangered herds, and holds public auctions. More information can be obtained from U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management.
Wild burros make good pets when treated well and cared for properly. They are clever and curious. When trust has been established, they appreciate, and even seek, attention and grooming. Cultural aspectsThe long history of human use of donkeys means that there is a rich store of cultural references to them, including:
Etymology of the name
Symbolism with Democratic PartyThe donkey has also been a long-time unofficial symbol of the Democratic Party of the United States. Random factA donkey's eyes are placed such that it can see all four feet at any one time. , Greece city center External links
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