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Donkeys – The Stubborn Animals

donkeys-carrying-hay image
These slow animals are used today as work animals in poor countries. They carry materials, plow fields and draw up water.

Donkeys come from Africa and the Middle East, where they were tamed more than 5,000 years ago. These slow animals are used today as work animals in poor countries. They carry materials, plow fields and draw up water. Donkeys are related to horses and zebras, but they have much longer ears than either one. They’re also usually smaller than horses.

Donkey Grazing Grass Image - Science for Kids All About Donkeys
Donkeys are related to horses and zebras, but they have much longer ears than either one. Read more here all about donkeys.

Donkeys have a reputation for being stubborn. They are more cautious than horses. If a situation seems unsafe, they dig in their heels and won’t move. Owners must patiently work to gain a donkey’s trust.

Donkeys Carrying Hay Image
These slow animals are used today as work animals in poor countries. They carry materials, plow fields and draw up water.

Fun Facts about Donkeys for Kids

  • China has more donkeys than any other country in the world.
  • In the U.S., donkeys are kept as pets or to breed mules.
  • A mule is a cross between a donkey and a horse. Mules are very strong, but bigger than a donkey.
  • A boy donkey is called a jack. A girl donkey is called a jenny.
  • Donkeys make a loud braying noise that goes on for several seconds.
  • Donkeys are sometimes called burros.
  • There are wild donkeys in Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Mississippi.
Mules Together on Grasslands Image
A mule is a cross between a donkey and a horse. Mules are very strong, but bigger than a donkey.

Donkey Vocabulary

  1. Plow: prepare a field for planting
  2. Reputation: known for
  3. Stubborn: willful
  4. Braying: loud “hee-haw”

Learn More All About Donkeys

Watch a video about a baby donkey:

A video of  a cute baby donkey’s first steps.

Donkey Q&A

Question: What do donkeys eat?

Answer: Like horses, donkeys eat grains and grass.

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Question: How long do donkeys live?

Answer: Donkeys live up to 40 years if given proper care.

 

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