THE DOMESTICATED DONKEY: I – SPECIES CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

The objective of this study is to define domestic donkey giving some information about species characters including taxonomy, origin, terms, ecology, form, lifespan, behaviour, vocal expression, colour, markings, and relationships with other species, religion and myth.The donkey is an odd-toed ungulate. Donkeys may be the only hoofed animal domesticated first in Africa, and apparently the first to be domesticated for transport. In the Middle East, in past centuries, there were special breeds of donkey reserved for royalty and the nobility. Compared to a horse, a donkey seems slender and delicate.