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• Sicilian Donkey

Scientific Name: Equus asinus

Throughout their history, donkeys have been used to pull wagons and carry loads and people. Now, because of their calm, affectionate and patient nature, donkeys are also used as companion animals for disabled people.

STATUS: The Sicilian donkey is listed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy as a recovering species, indicating that its population is still in need of monitoring.

HABITAT: Because these animals are domesticated, they can be found in a wide variety of locations. Donkeys originated in Egypt but the Sicilian donkey has more recently come from the Mediterranean island of Sicily.

DIET: Donkeys are grazing herbivores (plant eaters) and enjoy eating hay, oats, grain and grass.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: These vocal, sure-footed animals look similar to horses with large heads, long ears, and cow-like tails. The most common color for Sicilian donkeys is a dull grayish-brown with a light colored belly and inside legs. They are known for the cross-shaped marking along their back, are 28 to 38 inches tall and weigh from 250 to 450 pounds. They have large, flat-surfaced teeth adapted for tearing and chewing their food. These animals are quite resistant to disease and remain healthy into old age. They can live up to 50 years and have good senses of vision, smell, and hearing. In ancient Egypt, female donkeys were kept as dairy animals. Their milk has more sugar and protein than cow’s milk.

A female donkey is known as a “Jennet” while a male is called a “Jack”. Females and males reach sexual maturity around the age of two. Jennets can produce foals throughout their lifetime with gestation lasting about 11 to 12 months and generally resulting in the birth of one baby. Fully developed at birth, foals can stand and nurse when they’re about 30 minutes old. Donkeys can breed with other species. For example, a cross between a male donkey and female horse will produce a mule.

Social Animals

Donkeys enjoy the company not only of other donkeys but also of other livestock animals such as horses, cows, goats, sheep and llamas. Although they have a passive temperament, they will aggressively protect their young and can be trained to defend sheep and goats.