Scientific Name of Donkey

The scientific name of the donkey is “Equus africanus asinus.” Over 40 million donkeys exist worldwide, the majority of which are utilized as pack or draught animals in developing nations. It was domesticated in Africa and ever since then, its primary use has been as a working animal. A mature female donkey is called a jenny or jennet, an immature donkey of any sex is called a foal, and an adult male donkey is called a jack or jackass. Today’s donkeys are diverse in terms of size, color, texture of coat, and shape.

What is the Scientific Name of the Donkey?

“Equus africanus asinus” is the scientific name of the donkey and belongs to the “Equidae family”, These mammals are herbivorous, and they have a history of development up to 27-40 years lifespans. It was domesticated in Africa, and even, though it’s primarily used as a working animal, and as pack or draught animals, they have been essential for human civilization. Although individual breeds vary widely, the average donkey weighs approximately 250 kg (551 pounds) and stands 101.6 cm (40 inches) at the shoulder. Even, they are known for their power and sufferance.

Breeds of Donkey

Donkeys have several breeds of the same scientific name (Equus africanus asinus), So, some of them are given below:

• Miniature Donkey
• Mammoth Donkey
• Poitou Donkey
• American Mammoth Jack
• Andalusian Donkey
• Provence Donkey

Taxonomy Of Donkey

Equus asinus, often known as the donkey or ass, belongs to the odd-toed ungulate (hoofed mammal) family of horses, Equidae. The domesticated taxonomic group is referred to by the terms “donkey and ass.”

Scientific Name	“Equus africanus asinus”
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Subphylum	Vertebrata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Perissodactyla
Family	Equidae
Genus	Equus

Characteristics of Donkey

The following are the characteristics of a Donkey:

1. It is a very useful animal.
2. It is vegetarian, it likes to eat green grass.
3. It belongs to the horse species.
4. They are very calm.
5. Their hearing ability is very high.
6. They like to walk slowly.
7. It includes shades of gray, brown, black, and even spotted patterns.
8. They are live up to 27-40 years.
9. In old ages, the donkey was also used to plow in fields.
10. Their strong, adaptable hooves are fit for a variety of surfaces.

Geographical Distribution of Donkey

Its populations of wild asses (E. africanus), were first seen in North Africa, possibly in western Asia, and extended from Morocco to Somalia (Clutton-Brock 1981). The lower classes became dependent on these animals after they were domesticated. More than 90% of all donkeys live in developing nations. It is found in the wild today only in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia (IUCN Red List 2008), Donkey populations, worldwide, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Notably, donkey populations are increasing globally, indicating their ongoing significance and adaptability in different regions of the world (Starkey & Starkey 1997).

Habitat of Donkey

Donkeys are well suited for living in dry climates and areas with little precipitation because their natural home is the hills and deserts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They are now widespread all over the world and can be found in both urban and rural areas. They usually work in the agriculture field and as loaders, they perform all this with their hardiness and capacity to stand in any difficult environments and terrain because of their versatility, they may participate in a variety of human activities across diverse environments globally.

FAQs on Scientific Name of Donkey

1. What is the Scientific Name of the Donkey?

“Equus africanus asinus” is the scientific name of the donkey and belongs to the “Equidae family”, donkeys have been managed for thousands of years and are essential working animals in many parts of the world.

2. “Equus africanus asinus” belongs to which Family?

Equus africanus asinus is a member of the Equidae family, which also contains donkeys and other equine animals. This family includes odd-toed mammals with an unequal number of toes and is a member of the larger order Perissodactyla.

3. Give some Examples of Donkey Breeds.

Donkeys have several breeds of the same scientific name (Equus africanus asinus) are:

• Miniature Donkey
• Mammoth Donkey
• Poitou Donkey
• American Mammoth Jack

4. What is the Importance of Scientific Names of Donkeys?

A donkey’s scientific name is Equus africanus asinus. The Equidae family, which also comprises zebras and horses, includes donkeys. Experts and researchers can identify and categorize donkeys using this scientific nomenclature, which is based on the animals’ biological traits and genetic connections.

5. What is the Classification and Kingdom of donkey?

The donkey classification belongs to animal kingdom and specify the various relationships are given below:

• Chordata Phylum
• Class Mammalia
• Equidae Family
• Equus genus