I recently visited a donkey conservation farm where I tasted donkey milk and learned all about these “stubborn” animals. Spoiler alert: they’re not really stubborn but we’ll get to that later. It turns out that these animals are pretty amazing! Let’s go down the rabbit hole that’s the donkey world together. Here are 8 less known facts.
1. Donkeys Produce Healthy Milk
I have to start with this one because I like to brag about the donkey milk that I tasted in the mountains that one day. Donkeys are one of the best animal mothers. Not because they raise their young alone or teach them how to take care of themselves, but because they have some pretty healthy milk (for both baby donkeys and humans). Unfortunately, donkeys don’t produce nearly enough milk to fill cartons and bottles like cows and goats do.
Donkey milk is very similar to human breast milk because it has the same protein and lactose content. It’s low in fat and cholesterol and high in vitamin D, vitamin C, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. It also has all of the linoleic and linoleic acids, bioactive peptides, and antioxidants that donkeys and humans need to be healthy. So yes, donkey milk is just what the doctor ordered. It’s great for babies that have cow’s milk protein allergies.
2. Donkeys Are Very Strong
Donkeys may not have the strongest sense of smell, or even the strongest bite, but they’re very strong. Physically, I mean. And they do have very strong bites. Trust me, I’ve been bitten by a very hungry mama donkey before. Anyway, there’s a reason why donkeys are called beasts of burden. They’re strong enough to carry very heavy loads on their backs and they can pull up to twice their own body weight.
Some donkeys may even be stronger than horses of the same size. Could you imagine how strong a mule is then? That’s a pretty awesome hybrid animal that’s the product of a horse and donkey breed.
3. Donkey Ears Have a Purpose
The first purpose of a donkey’s ears is obvious: they help them hear. They can hear other donkeys from miles away and they move their ears to pinpoint the direction.
The second purpose is communication. Their ears are there for them to show how they feel. A donkey with floppy ears is relaxed, while a donkey with perked up ears may be excited or curious. Be careful when you see a donkey with pinned back ears because they may be scared or aggressive.
The third and final purpose that their ears have is a cooling ability. There are many blood vessels in their ears that allow the blood to flow close to their skin’s surface. The heat from their body then moves through the vessels and dissipates into the air. It also helps that there’s so much space in their large ears, which speeds up the process.
4. Donkeys Are Pretty Intelligent
Donkeys are not only very intelligent, but they also learn quickly. They can learn to associate sounds with events, like when the door latch opens, they’ll know it’s time to eat. Or when you ring a bell, it may be time for them to head to their sleeping quarters for the night. They can also trick their owners into scratching them or giving them treats. Sneaky little ones, these donkeys. They learn best with small steps and enough time to process what they’re learning, which means you’ll need a lot of patience.
5. Donkeys Can Be Affectionate
Did you know that with the right care and attention, you can form a strong bond with a donkey? They make the best farmyard companions because they can be very loyal and become protective of you. If you provide a warm home and show kindness from the beginning, you could have yourself a pal for life.
They can also become very attached to other donkeys. They show affection by resting their heads on each other’s shoulders, blowing into each other’s noses, and nibbling each other’s necks. They’ll even become ill if they’re separated from their companions.
6. Donkeys Are Social Animals
Donkeys aren’t too fond of being alone. They love to mingle and form strong bonds with humans and other donkeys. Their connections are lifelong, and they need a lot of socialization and mental stimulation to stay healthy. Like I said before, they’ll even get sick when separated from their companions. They’ll pace uncontrollably, show their sadness with dramatic vocalization, and fall into a depression. It’s always a good idea to get more than one donkey and to never let them be apart for too long.
7. Donkeys Make Great Guard Animals
Donkeys are a fantastic addition to your farm. They could very well become your best friend, but they also have another thing going for them. Donkeys can act like guard dogs and protect your herd animals from predators. I can’t guarantee that they can fight off a pack of wolves, but they can certainly deter small predators like coyotes and foxes. They can act aggressively when they need to and release a deafening bray that’s enough to warn predators that their sheep friends are a no-go.
One thing to note about guard donkeys is that they do much better on flat terrain when they can keep an eye on everything. They also need to socialize with the animals that they herd with for a while before you expect them to act like warriors.
8. Donkeys Aren’t Stubborn
All animals can be stubborn, like the five most stubborn dog breeds for instance. It’s a given and you can’t do anything about it. But did you know that donkeys actually aren’t stubborn? The truth is that they’re really just cautious. If a donkey doesn’t want to move when you want them to, they may be getting ready to defend themselves.
