Donkeys

A male is known as a STALLION, a female is known as a MARE and a baby is known as a FOAL. A group is known as a HERD.

The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in under developed countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals. Working donkeys in the UK commonly do rides for children at the seaside.

Small numbers of donkeys are kept for breeding or as pets in developed countries. The loud call or ‘bray’ of the donkey, which typically lasts for twenty seconds and can be heard for over three kilometres, may help keep in contact with other donkeys over the wide spaces of the desert. Donkeys have large ears, which may pick up more distant sounds, and may help cool the donkey’s blood.