Domesticated Donkeys are found almost all over the world but there are many breeds of these animals that vary in appearance. Depending on the breed, the color of a donkey's coat can vary from white, brown or even black. The most common color is gray.
Coloring Book Donkey
Information
Very often along the whole back, that is from the neck to the tail, we can notice a dark stripe on the coat. Depending on the breed, the coat can be short or long. In winter, however, the donkey's coat becomes much thicker than in the summer season.
The domestic donkey is a domesticated form of the African donkey. Nowadays, wild donkeys are found only in the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. Domesticated donkeys are bred to thrive in a variety of conditions, while wild donkeys tend to choose dry areas, deserts and semi-deserts. Domestic donkeys are sociable animals, often living in herds, but sometimes choosing to live alone. This animal leads a diurnal lifestyle.
Donkeys are true herbivores. They feed mostly on grass and leaves, but they also love to eat various bushes, branches and even tree bark!
The pregnancy of a female of this species lasts about a year, or 12 months, and usually only 1 foal is born. At birth, such a foal can weigh from 8 to 16 kilograms! Donkeys in captivity can live a very long time, up to 50 years, while in the wild they usually live a shorter time.
Trivia
- Domestication: Donkeys were among the first animals domesticated by humans, probably around 5,000 years ago in Egypt or Mesopotamia.
- Strength: Donkeys are extremely hardy and can survive in harsh environments, such as deserts, where other animals would have difficulty.
- Media: Donkeys have been and continue to be used as draft and carrier animals in many parts of the world because of their endurance and strength.
- Calm and cautious: Donkeys are generally calm and cautious animals that rarely panic, making them ideal working animals.
- Disease resistance: Donkeys are more resistant to many diseases that often afflict horses, making them more resilient working animals.
- Different breeds: There are many different breeds of donkeys, from small miniature donkeys to large draft donkeys.
- Diet: Donkeys are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of hay, grass and other plants.
- Hearing: Donkeys have very acute senses, especially hearing. They can hear sounds from up to 60 kilometers away in open country.
- Hybridization: Donkeys can interbreed with horses, resulting in a mule (donkey x horse) or hinna horse (horse x donkey).
- Security: In some countries, donkeys are protected by law because of their historical and cultural significance, such as in Egypt.