The Life of Animals | Donkey | Donkeys Vary considerably in size, Depending on breed and management. Donkeys have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years. Donkeys are adapted to marginal desert lands, and have many traits That are unique to the species as a result. Wild donkeys live separated from each other, unlike tight wild horse and feral horse herds. Donkeys have developed very loud vocalizations, the which help keep in contact with other donkeys over the wide spaces of the desert. Donkeys have larger ears than horses. Their longer ears may pick up more distant sounds and may help cool the donkey's blood.
A male donkey (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. A female donkey in the UK is Called a mare, or jenny. Horse-donkey hybrids are almost always sterile Because horses have 64 chromosomes whereas donkeys have 62, producing offspring with 63 chromosomes. Mules are much more common than hinnies. The foregoing terms Generally refer to hybrids produced by breeding a male zebra to a female donkey.
Zebra hinny, zebret and zebrinny all refer to the cross of a female zebra with a male donkey. Zebrinnies are rarer than zedonkies Because female Zebras in captivity are Most Valuable used to Produce a full-blooded Zebras. There are not enough female Zebras breeding in captivity to spare Them for hybridizing; there is no such Limitation on the number of female donkeys breeding.
Other donkeys are used to sire mules, as companions for horses, to guard sheep, and as pets. In the past, donkey skin was used in the production of parchment. A few donkeys are milked or raised for meat in Italy, the which has the highest consumption of equine meat in Europe and where donkey meat is the main ingredient of Several regional dishes, only about 1000 donkeys were the resource persons slaughtered in 2010, yielding approximately 100 tonnes of meat . If a donkey is introduced to a mare and foal, the foal Will Often turn to the donkey for support after it has been weaned from its mother. Donkey rides for children are also a popular pastime for children in holiday resorts or other leisure Contexts.
