The donkey (Equus africanus asinus) is a mammal belonging to
the Perissodactyla order and the family Equidae. Native to the African
continent but found in the domestic situation throughout the world the donkey,
sometimes referred to as an ass or burro, is a beast of burden and used for carrying objects. A male donkey
is a jack and a female donkey is a jenny.
Donkeys are genetically adapted for desert living and have
long ears for picking up distant sounds as well as loud vocal communication to
stay in contact with other donkeys. Donkeys enjoy a strong stomach and tough
teeth. They use their powerful legs for lashing out to defend from predators. Although
most donkeys are domesticated, wild donkeys live in relative isolation from one
and other.
Belonging to the horse family, donkeys share many of the
same physical characteristics as their equine relatives. Donkeys are used as a
means of transportation by rural communities around the globe. In the west,
donkeys are utilized as entertainment and companionship. They were domesticated
by humans around 4000 BCE.