Editing Donkey (section)

==Characteristics==
{{See also| List of donkey breeds}}

Donkeys vary considerably in size, depending on both breed and environmental conditions, and heights at the [[withers]] range from less than {{convert|90|cm|in}} to approximately {{convert|150|cm|in|abbr=on}}.{{r|cabi|p=6}} Working donkeys in the poorest countries have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years;<ref name=nsw/> in more prosperous countries, they may have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years.<ref name=alberta/>

Donkeys are adapted to marginal [[desert]] lands. Unlike [[wild horse|wild]] and [[feral horse]]s, wild donkeys in dry areas are solitary and do not form [[Harem (zoology)|harems]]. Each adult donkey establishes a home range; breeding over a large area may be dominated by one jack.<ref name=svend3/> The loud call or bray of the donkey, which typically lasts for twenty seconds<ref name=canacoo/><ref name=whitehead/> and can be heard for over three kilometres, may help keep in contact with other donkeys over the wide spaces of the desert.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/wells_kels/Adapation.htm|title = Adaption of Donkeys|access-date = May 4, 2015|website = BioWeb|archive-date = May 22, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150522030558/http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/wells_kels/Adapation.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> Donkeys have large ears, which may pick up more distant sounds, and may help cool the donkey's blood.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mikesdonkeys.co.uk/facts.html|title = Donkey Facts|access-date = May 4, 2015|website = Mike's Donkeys|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150519002550/http://www.mikesdonkeys.co.uk/facts.html|archive-date = May 19, 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref> Donkeys can defend themselves by biting, striking with the front hooves or kicking with the hind legs. Their vocalization, called a bray, is often represented in English as "hee haw".

=== Cross on back ===
Most donkeys have dorsal and shoulder stripes, [[primitive markings]] which form a distinctive cross pattern on their backs.<ref name=lookalikecollage>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duncentralstation.com/Look-A-LikeCollages.html |title=Look-A-Like Collages |work=Dun Look-A-Likes |publisher=Dun Central Station |author=Nancy Castle |access-date=2008-06-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012141250/http://www.duncentralstation.com/Look-A-LikeCollages.html |archive-date=October 12, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=About Donkeys |url=https://www.donkeybreedsociety.co.uk/about-donkeys/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |publisher=Donkey Breed Society |ref=About2022}}</ref>

===Breeding===
[[File:Equus asinus Kadzidłowo 001.jpg|thumb|A three-week-old donkey foal]]

A jenny is normally pregnant for about 12 months, though the gestation period varies from 11 to 14 months,<ref name=alberta /><ref name="Sewell">{{Cite web |url=http://www.albertadonkeyandmule.com/pdfs/foaling-out-the-jennet.pdf |title=Sewell, Sybil E. "Foaling out the Donkey Jennet", ''Alberta Donkey and Mule.com''. Web page accessed March 4, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825135639/http://www.albertadonkeyandmule.com/pdfs/foaling-out-the-jennet.pdf |archive-date=August 25, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and usually gives birth to a single foal. Births of twins are rare, though less so than in horses.<ref name=alberta/> About 1.7 percent of donkey pregnancies result in twins; both foals survive in about 14 percent of those.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ramshornstudio.com/donkeys.htm|title = Twins and Donkeys|access-date = May 4, 2015|website = Rams Horn Studio|archive-date = January 26, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150126041837/http://www.ramshornstudio.com/donkeys.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> In general jennies have a conception rate that is lower than that of horses (i.e., less than the 60–65% rate for mares).<ref name=alberta />

Although jennies come into heat within 9 or 10 days of giving birth, their fertility remains low, and it is likely the reproductive tract has not returned to normal.<ref name=alberta/> Thus it is usual to wait one or two further [[oestrous]] cycles before rebreeding, unlike the practice with mares. Jennies are usually very protective of their [[foal]]s, and some will not come into estrus while they have a foal at side.<ref name="Rachau">{{Cite web |url=http://www.oregonvos.net/~jrachau/pregnant.htm |title=Rachau, Jeanine A. "Gestation and Foaling of Donkeys" |access-date=2015-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412031614/http://www.oregonvos.net/~jrachau/pregnant.htm |archive-date=2009-04-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The time lapse involved in rebreeding, and the length of a jenny's gestation, means that a jenny will have fewer than one foal per year. Because of this and the longer gestation period, donkey breeders do not expect to obtain a foal every year, as horse breeders often do, but may plan for three foals in four years.<ref name=alberta/>

Donkeys can interbreed with other members of the family Equidae, and are commonly interbred with horses. The [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] between a jack and a [[mare]] is a [[mule]], valued as a working and riding animal in many countries. Some large donkey breeds such as the [[Asino di Martina Franca]], the [[Baudet du Poitou]] and the [[American mammoth donkey|Mammoth Jack]] are raised only for mule production. The hybrid between a [[stallion]] and a jenny is a [[hinny]], and is less common. Like other inter-species hybrids, mules and hinnies are usually sterile.<ref name=alberta/> Donkeys can also breed with [[zebra]]s, in which case the offspring is called a [[Zebroid|zonkey]] (among other names).

===Behaviour===
Donkeys have a notorious reputation for stubbornness, but this has been attributed to a much stronger sense of [[self-preservation]] than exhibited by horses.<ref name=abc/> Likely based on a stronger prey instinct and a weaker connection with humans, it is considerably more difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something it perceives to be dangerous for whatever reason. Once a person has earned their confidence they can be willing and companionable partners and very dependable in work.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.hartshorsemanship.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=controller.viewPageThoughtDetail&thoughtUuid=BE68EBFE-4063-C7B3-5EB13796296E636C|title = Training Donkeys|access-date = May 4, 2015|website = Harts Horsemanship|archive-date = June 1, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150601052023/http://www.hartshorsemanship.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=controller.viewPageThoughtDetail&thoughtUuid=BE68EBFE-4063-C7B3-5EB13796296E636C|url-status = live}}</ref>

Although formal studies of their [[ethology|behaviour]] and [[animal cognition|cognition]] are rather limited, donkeys appear to be quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful, and eager to learn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.livestockoftheworld.com/Donkeys/AboutDonkeys.asp|title=About Donkeys {{!}} Breeds of Donkeys|last=World|first=Livestock Of The|website=www.livestockoftheworld.com|access-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202012903/http://www.livestockoftheworld.com/Donkeys/AboutDonkeys.asp|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>