What makes donkeys different?

These small, long-eared equines are hardy and useful in rural areas, and evolved from the desert donkeys of the Sahara, writes Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac

A donkey’s very large ears are a good defence mechanism. They can hear very well and swivel their ears around to locate the origin of the sound. These enormous ears also present a large surface area through which blood circulates and can be cooled. Flapping their ears also chases away flies and other biting insects from their faces and often other body parts.

THE MILK OF DONKEYS IS CLOSE TO THAT OF HUMAN BREAST MILK

Recent genetic-based research has shown that all the donkeys in the world, including those in China, evolved from the desert donkeys of the Sahara region of North Africa.

They have been beasts of burden in this area for thousands of years, as proven by the colloquial word for ‘donkey’ existing in several ancient African languages.