The domestic donkey is a hoofed mammal in the family Equidae, the same family as the horse. It derives from the African wild ass, Equus africanus, and may be classified either as a subspecies thereof, Equus africanus asinus, or as a separate species, Equus asinus.
How long is the gestation period for donkeys? Donkeys are pregnant for around 11-14½ months. There are different methods to diagnose an early pregnancy in mares so we recommend that you contact your vet for advice.
Miniature donkeys, on average, carry a foal for 12 months. The average jennet produces one offspring every 13 to 14 months. Birth weights are generally between 18 and 25 pounds (8.2 to 11 kg). Twinning in miniature donkeys is rare.
A jenny is normally pregnant for about 12 months, though the gestation period varies from 11 to 14 months, and usually gives birth to a single foal. Births of twins are rare, though less so than in horses. About 1.7 percent of donkey pregnancies result in twins; both foals survive in about 14 percent of those.
In donkeys, a higher likelihood of occurrence of pregnancy was possible when the foal heat occurred 8 or more days after parturition. Similarly, a significantly higher probability of pregnancy was found when ovulation occurred 12 days or more after foaling.
Elephants have the longest pregnancy period of any living mammal. If you – or someone you know – has experienced a pregnancy that seemed to go on forever, spare a thought for the elephant. It's the animal with one of the longest gestation periods of all living mammals: nearly two years.
The most likely reason that mares lie down after mating is because they are overwhelmed and need to rest to bring their heart rate back down to normal levels. Stallions can be aggressive and hyperactive when courting and mating, and horses are socially sensitive creatures.
Prior to getting a donkey, it is important to be aware that owning a donkey is a long-term commitment; the average age for donkeys in the UK is 27 but donkeys can live to over 40 years old!
Donkeys need a friend. It is vital to their health and well-being. They will often pair up for life with one donkey or other equines such as horses, mules, and goats. They can get very stressed when removed from their companion or even when the companion has died.
Two happy donkeys are much easier to live with and enjoy than one sad donkey. Two donkeys can share the same stall and eat together so it really isn't much more trouble than just having one. Two donkeys can be very good companion for a lonely horse, by the way.
They will have the instinct to mate with other mules, donkeys, horses, and other animals, but they can't produce offspring.
Donkeys are pretty easy when it comes to the conditions that they need to reproduce. The gestation period for donkeys is over a year, at an average of 368 days, so donkeys can really only breed once a year at most.
Donkey milk (or ass milk, or jenny milk) is the milk from the domesticated donkey (Equus asinus). It has been used since antiquity for cosmetic purposes as well as infant nutrition.
The shortest known gestation is that of the Virginian opossum, about 12 days, and the longest that of the Indian elephant, about 22 months. In the course of evolution the duration of gestation has become adapted to the needs of the species.
Donkeys. A female donkey, known as a jenny or a mare, typically gives birth to one foal about a year after mating, but some pregnancies can last nearly 14 months.
Hinny: The result of a horse stallion mating with a female donkey. Hinnies are less common than mules and there might be subtle differences in appearance.
Who Do Donkeys Bray At Night? warn of danger, to express hunger or loneliness, etc. shouldn't ignore it entirely!
The young donkey stallion has the potential to mate with either his mother or sisters from around one year old, which can lead to unwanted foals or birth defects caused by inbreeding.
The term "Donkey's Years" as in "I haven't seen you in Donkey's Years" comes from the fact that a year for a Donkey is actually 16 human years as Donkeys orbit the sun slower than we do. What about the donkeys on the international space station?
The truth about donkey intelligence
Donkeys have an excellent memory, and great ability to learn. A 2013 study by The Donkey Sanctuary found that they can learn and problem-solve at the same pace as dolphins and dogs. This means that donkeys remember good and bad experiences for a long time.
Suzy died in 2002, during her 54th year. Suzy was originally bought in 1949 as a yearling (thus born in 1948) and lived on Moon Ranch, New Mexico until 1968. Suzy was bought by her current owner in 1973, who had her checked by a vet.
It may be that overstimulation of the dopamine pathway is causing the horses to become hyperaroused. Alternatively, spontaneous erections have been cited in the literature as a comfort behaviour, and Franzin has considered that dropping may simply be a sign of relaxation.
Minor accidents during natural mating are common occurrences during the breeding of horses. Mares may suffer from a variety of genital injuries including vulval separations, vaginal lacerations and, less commonly, vaginal rupture.
This might be due to anxiety, nervousness, fear, or discomfort. First time foaling mares may have a very painful udder. When the foal nudges the udder or attempts to suckle, the pain may cause the mare to refuse to allow the foal to nurse. The second type of foal rejection is avoidance of the foal.