Amazing Donkey mating “Facts” You Definitely Don’t Need To Know

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. It was domesticated in Africa, probably about 5,000 or 6,000 years ago, and has been used mainly as a working animal since that time. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals.

Donkeys vary considerably in size, depending on both breed and environmental conditions, and heights at the withers range from less than 90 cm (35 in) to approximately 150 cm (59 in). Most donkeys have dorsal and shoulder stripes, primitive markings which form a distinctive cross pattern on their backs

Donkeys are polygynous, which means that one male mates with many females during a breeding season. Breeding occurs year-round. The gestation period usually lasts for 11-14 months, after which a single foal is born. Newborn babies are developed and are able to stand and feed during the first 30 minutes of their lives. Weaning occurs at 5 months old. Both males and females of this species are ready to mate at 2 years old, although males usually do so only after 3-4 years old when they become dominant.