Difference between revisions of "Donkey" - New World Encyclopedia
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{{Taxobox_begin | color = pink | name = Donkey}}<br><small>'''[[Wikipedia:Conservation status|Conservation status:]] Domesticated'''</small>[[Category:Domesticated animals]] | {{Taxobox_begin | color = pink | name = Donkey}}<br><small>'''[[Wikipedia:Conservation status|Conservation status:]] Domesticated'''</small>[[Category:Domesticated animals]] | ||
| − | {{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Donkey.jpg|220px|Donkey]] | + | {{Taxobox_image | image = [[Image:Donkey 1 arp 750px.jpg|220px|Donkey]] |
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| − | The '''donkey''' or '''ass''', ''Equus asinus'', is a member of the horse family, Equidae, of the order Perissodactyla, odd-toed [[ungulate]]s (hoofed [[mammal]]s). The word donkey refers to the [[domestication|domesticated]] ''E. asinus'', while its wild ancestor, also ''E. asinus'', is called the wild ass. | + | The '''donkey''' or '''ass''', ''Equus asinus'', is a member of the horse family, Equidae, of the order Perissodactyla, odd-toed [[ungulate]]s (hoofed [[mammal]]s). The word donkey refers to the [[domestication|domesticated]] ''E. asinus'', while its wild ancestor, also ''E. asinus'', is called the African wild ass. |
| − | Donkeys were first domesticated around 4000 B.C.E. and have spread around the world in the company of [[human]]s. They continue to fill important roles in many places today and are increasing in numbers and popularity. | + | Donkeys were first domesticated around 4000 B.C.E. or before and have spread around the world in the company of [[human]]s. They continue to fill important roles in many places today and are increasing in numbers and popularity. |
==The wild ass== | ==The wild ass== | ||
| − | + | African wild asses are native to North [[Africa]] and perhaps the Arabian Peninsula. They are well suited to life in a desert or semi-desert environment. They stand about 125 to 145 cm (4.2 to 5.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh about 275 kg (605 lb). They have tough digestive systems which can break down desert vegetation and extract moisture from food efficiently. They can also go without water for a fairly long time. Their large ears give them an excellent sense of hearing and help cool their blood. | |
Because of the sparse vegetation in their environment wild asses live separated from each other (except for mothers and young), unlike the tightly grouped herds of wild horses. They have very loud voices, which can be heard for over 3 km (2 miles) which helps them to keep in contact with other asses over the wide spaces of the desert. | Because of the sparse vegetation in their environment wild asses live separated from each other (except for mothers and young), unlike the tightly grouped herds of wild horses. They have very loud voices, which can be heard for over 3 km (2 miles) which helps them to keep in contact with other asses over the wide spaces of the desert. | ||
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Wild asses can run swiftly, almost as fast as a horse. But, unlike most hoofed mammals, their tendency is to not to flee right away from a potentially dangerous situation, but to investigate first before deciding what to do. When they need to they can defend themselves with kicks from both their front and hind legs. | Wild asses can run swiftly, almost as fast as a horse. But, unlike most hoofed mammals, their tendency is to not to flee right away from a potentially dangerous situation, but to investigate first before deciding what to do. When they need to they can defend themselves with kicks from both their front and hind legs. | ||
| − | The wild ass today is found only in small areas in northeast Africa and is an endangered species, | + | The wild ass today is found only in small areas in northeast Africa and is an endangered species, because of being hunted and because of war and political instability in its native range. At one time there were at least four subspecies of wild ass. Today only the Somali wild ass (''E. asinius somalicus'') survives. It is thought that the donkey is derived from the Nubian wild ass (''E. asinus africanus'') which became extinct in the Twentieth Century. |
Closely related to the wild ass are the other members of the horse family (all of which are endangered in the wild): The horse (''Equus caballus''), the onager (''E. hemionus''), the kiang (''E. kiang''), Grevy's zebra (''E. greyi''), Burcell's zebra (''E. burchelli''), and the mountain zebra (''E. zebra''). All of these species can interbreed with each other, although the offspring are sterile, except in extremely rare individual cases. | Closely related to the wild ass are the other members of the horse family (all of which are endangered in the wild): The horse (''Equus caballus''), the onager (''E. hemionus''), the kiang (''E. kiang''), Grevy's zebra (''E. greyi''), Burcell's zebra (''E. burchelli''), and the mountain zebra (''E. zebra''). All of these species can interbreed with each other, although the offspring are sterile, except in extremely rare individual cases. | ||
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Wild asses were hunted by humans for their meat and skins. It is thought that hunters sometimes found orphaned colts and took them to their homes to keep as pets. Asses adapted well to conditions in human settlements and were able to breed in captivity. Over time this gave rise to the domesticated donkey. The first evidence of the donkey comes from [[Egypt]] around 4,000 B.C.E. (Clutton-Brock 1999). | Wild asses were hunted by humans for their meat and skins. It is thought that hunters sometimes found orphaned colts and took them to their homes to keep as pets. Asses adapted well to conditions in human settlements and were able to breed in captivity. Over time this gave rise to the domesticated donkey. The first evidence of the donkey comes from [[Egypt]] around 4,000 B.C.E. (Clutton-Brock 1999). | ||
| − | The donkey became an important pack animal for people living in the Egyptian and Nubian regions | + | The donkey became an important pack animal for people living in the Egyptian and Nubian regions and was also used to pull a plow and as a dairy animal. By 1800 B.C.E., the donkey had reached the [[Middle East]] where the trading city of [[Damascus]] was referred to as the “City of Asses” in [[Cuneiform script|cuneiform]] texts. [[Syria]] produced at least three breeds of donkeys, including a saddle breed with a graceful, easy gait. These were favored by women. |
| − | + | ||
Soon after the domesticated horse was introduced to the Middle East, around 1500 B.C.E., donkeys and horses began to be bred together giving birth to mules. (A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. The mating of a male horse and a female donkey produces a hinny.) As a work animal the mule is superior to both the donkey and the horse. Domestic animal expert Juliet Clutton-Brook writes (Clutton-Brock 1999): | Soon after the domesticated horse was introduced to the Middle East, around 1500 B.C.E., donkeys and horses began to be bred together giving birth to mules. (A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. The mating of a male horse and a female donkey produces a hinny.) As a work animal the mule is superior to both the donkey and the horse. Domestic animal expert Juliet Clutton-Brook writes (Clutton-Brock 1999): | ||
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==Donkey traits== | ==Donkey traits== | ||
| − | The average donkey is somewhat smaller than its wild ancestors, standing | + | [[Image:Donkeys in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|right|Donkeys in Afghanistan]] |
| − | + | The average donkey is somewhat smaller than its wild ancestors, standing 90 to 120 cm (3 to 4 feet) tall at the shoulder. Donkey colors vary from the most common dun (grayish brown), from which the word "donkey" comes, to reddish, white, black, and spotted (IMH 2006). | |
| − | |||
| − | + | Donkeys have become much slower with domestication and very rarely break into a gallop. They can survive on poor food and water and can endure great heat. Cold and rain, however, are problems for them and donkeys in cooler, wetter climates need shelter from bad weather. They are sure-footed and can carry heavy loads, as much as 30 percent of their own weight. Donkeys have an advantage over [[cattle|oxen]] as work animals in that they do not have to stop and ruminate, chew their cud (Blench 2000). | |
| − | Once a person has earned their confidence | + | Although formal studies of their behavior and cognition are rather limited, most observers feel donkeys are quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful, and eager to learn. Donkeys have a reputation for stubbornness, but much of 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. Once a person has earned their confidence donkeys can be willing and companionable partners and very dependable in work and recreation. |
==Donkeys in religion== | ==Donkeys in religion== | ||
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There are about 44 million donkeys today. [[China]] has the most with 11 million, followed by [[Ethiopia]] and [[Mexico]]. Most of them (probably over 95%) used for the same types of work that donkeys have been doing for 6000 years. Their most common role is for transport, whether riding, pack transport or pulling carts. They may also be used for farm tillage, threshing, raising water, milling, and other operations. Other donkeys are used to sire mules, as companions for horses, to guard sheep, and as pets. A few are milked or raised for meat (Starkey 1997). | There are about 44 million donkeys today. [[China]] has the most with 11 million, followed by [[Ethiopia]] and [[Mexico]]. Most of them (probably over 95%) used for the same types of work that donkeys have been doing for 6000 years. Their most common role is for transport, whether riding, pack transport or pulling carts. They may also be used for farm tillage, threshing, raising water, milling, and other operations. Other donkeys are used to sire mules, as companions for horses, to guard sheep, and as pets. A few are milked or raised for meat (Starkey 1997). | ||
| − | The number of donkeys in the world continues to increase, as it has steadily thoughout history. Some factors contributing to this are the increased human population, progress in economic development and social stability in | + | The number of donkeys in the world continues to increase, as it has steadily thoughout history. Some factors contributing to this are the increased human population, progress in economic development and social stability in some poorer nations, and the rising price of gasoline which makes other forms of transport more expensive (Starkey 1997) (Blench 2000). |
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 largest is the Donkey Sanctuary of England which also supports donkey welfare projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and Mexico (DS 2006). | 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 largest is the Donkey Sanctuary of England which also supports donkey welfare projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and Mexico (DS 2006). | ||
Revision as of 02:59, 4 December 2006
| Donkey Conservation status: Domesticated | ||||||||||||||
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| Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758 |
The donkey or ass, Equus asinus, is a member of the horse family, Equidae, of the order Perissodactyla, odd-toed ungulates (hoofed mammals). The word donkey refers to the domesticated E. asinus, while its wild ancestor, also E. asinus, is called the African wild ass.
Donkeys were first domesticated around 4000 B.C.E. or before and have spread around the world in the company of humans. They continue to fill important roles in many places today and are increasing in numbers and popularity.
The wild ass
African wild asses are native to North Africa and perhaps the Arabian Peninsula. They are well suited to life in a desert or semi-desert environment. They stand about 125 to 145 cm (4.2 to 5.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh about 275 kg (605 lb). They have tough digestive systems which can break down desert vegetation and extract moisture from food efficiently. They can also go without water for a fairly long time. Their large ears give them an excellent sense of hearing and help cool their blood.
Because of the sparse vegetation in their environment wild asses live separated from each other (except for mothers and young), unlike the tightly grouped herds of wild horses. They have very loud voices, which can be heard for over 3 km (2 miles) which helps them to keep in contact with other asses over the wide spaces of the desert.
Wild asses can run swiftly, almost as fast as a horse. But, unlike most hoofed mammals, their tendency is to not to flee right away from a potentially dangerous situation, but to investigate first before deciding what to do. When they need to they can defend themselves with kicks from both their front and hind legs.
The wild ass today is found only in small areas in northeast Africa and is an endangered species, because of being hunted and because of war and political instability in its native range. At one time there were at least four subspecies of wild ass. Today only the Somali wild ass (E. asinius somalicus) survives. It is thought that the donkey is derived from the Nubian wild ass (E. asinus africanus) which became extinct in the Twentieth Century.
Closely related to the wild ass are the other members of the horse family (all of which are endangered in the wild): The horse (Equus caballus), the onager (E. hemionus), the kiang (E. kiang), Grevy's zebra (E. greyi), Burcell's zebra (E. burchelli), and the mountain zebra (E. zebra). All of these species can interbreed with each other, although the offspring are sterile, except in extremely rare individual cases.
Another horse family species, the quagga (E. quagga) became extinct in 1883. There are populations of feral donkeys and horses, that is domesticated animals that have returned to the wild, on several continents. However, the only true wild horse still living is Przewalski's wild horse of central Asia. In the past it was given the name E. przewalskii but now most authorities consider it the same species as domestic horses, E. caballus. It is now recovering from near extinction and being reintroduced to the wild (Nowak 1986) (Huffman 2006).
Donkey history
Wild asses were hunted by humans for their meat and skins. It is thought that hunters sometimes found orphaned colts and took them to their homes to keep as pets. Asses adapted well to conditions in human settlements and were able to breed in captivity. Over time this gave rise to the domesticated donkey. The first evidence of the donkey comes from Egypt around 4,000 B.C.E. (Clutton-Brock 1999).
The donkey became an important pack animal for people living in the Egyptian and Nubian regions and was also used to pull a plow and as a dairy animal. By 1800 B.C.E., the donkey had reached the Middle East where the trading city of Damascus was referred to as the “City of Asses” in cuneiform texts. Syria produced at least three breeds of donkeys, including a saddle breed with a graceful, easy gait. These were favored by women.
Soon after the domesticated horse was introduced to the Middle East, around 1500 B.C.E., donkeys and horses began to be bred together giving birth to mules. (A mule is the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. The mating of a male horse and a female donkey produces a hinny.) As a work animal the mule is superior to both the donkey and the horse. Domestic animal expert Juliet Clutton-Brook writes (Clutton-Brock 1999):
- "The mule is a perfect example of hybrid vigour - as a beast of burden it has more stamina and endurance, can carry heavier loads, and is more sure-footed than either the ass or the horse."
Donkeys, along with horses and mules, gradually spread around the world. In 43, the Romans brought the first donkeys to Britain (DS 2006). In 1495, the donkey was introduced to the New World by Columbus. Different breeds of donkeys were developed, including the Poitou of France and the Mammoth Jack Stock of the United States (said to be originally developed by George Washington) both of which were bred to sire mules. They are larger than average donkeys, around 1.3 to 1.5 meters (51 to 59 inches) tall at the shoulders. In the Twentieth Century miniature donkeys, 0.9 meters (36 inches) tall or shorter, became popular as pets (OSU 2006).
Donkey traits
The average donkey is somewhat smaller than its wild ancestors, standing 90 to 120 cm (3 to 4 feet) tall at the shoulder. Donkey colors vary from the most common dun (grayish brown), from which the word "donkey" comes, to reddish, white, black, and spotted (IMH 2006).
Donkeys have become much slower with domestication and very rarely break into a gallop. They can survive on poor food and water and can endure great heat. Cold and rain, however, are problems for them and donkeys in cooler, wetter climates need shelter from bad weather. They are sure-footed and can carry heavy loads, as much as 30 percent of their own weight. Donkeys have an advantage over oxen as work animals in that they do not have to stop and ruminate, chew their cud (Blench 2000).
Although formal studies of their behavior and cognition are rather limited, most observers feel donkeys are quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful, and eager to learn. Donkeys have a reputation for stubbornness, but much of 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. Once a person has earned their confidence donkeys can be willing and companionable partners and very dependable in work and recreation.
Donkeys in religion
In ancient Greece the donkey was associated with Dionysus. the god of wine. In ancient Rome donkeys were used as sacrificial animals. In the Bible donkeys are mentioned about 100 times, most famously in the stories of Samson and Balaam in the Old Testament and in the story of Jesus in the New Testament. According to the Bible Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy. His mother, Mary, is traditionally pictured riding a donkey and donkeys are often used in nativity scenes at Christmas time.
Present status
There are about 44 million donkeys today. China has the most with 11 million, followed by Ethiopia and Mexico. Most of them (probably over 95%) used for the same types of work that donkeys have been doing for 6000 years. Their most common role is for transport, whether riding, pack transport or pulling carts. They may also be used for farm tillage, threshing, raising water, milling, and other operations. Other donkeys are used to sire mules, as companions for horses, to guard sheep, and as pets. A few are milked or raised for meat (Starkey 1997).
The number of donkeys in the world continues to increase, as it has steadily thoughout history. Some factors contributing to this are the increased human population, progress in economic development and social stability in some poorer nations, and the rising price of gasoline which makes other forms of transport more expensive (Starkey 1997) (Blench 2000).
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 largest is the Donkey Sanctuary of England which also supports donkey welfare projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, and Mexico (DS 2006).
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Blench, R. 2000. "The history and spread of donkeys in Africa ". Animal Traction Network for Eastern and Southern Africa (ATNESA)
- Clutton-Brook, J. 1999. A Natural History of Domesticated Mammals. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521634954
- The Donkey Sanctuary (DS). 2006. Website. [1]
- Huffman, B. 2006. The Ultimate Ungulate Page. "Equus asinus" [2]
- International Museum of the Horse (IMH). 1998. "Donkey" [3]
- Nowak, R.M. and Paradiso, J.L. 1983. Walker's Mammals of the World. Baltimore, Maryland, USA : The Johns Hopkins University Press ISBN 0801825253
- Oklahoma State University (OSU). 2006. Breeds of Livestock. [4]
- Starkey, P. and M. 1997 "Regional and world trends in donkey populations". Animal Traction Network for Eastern and Southern Africa (ATNESA) [5]
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