Sicilian Donkey
Equus asinus asinus
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Perissodactyla
Equidae
Native to: Africa, Asia, Europe,
Middle East
STATUS: ENDANGERED
Appearance and Lifespan
The Sicilian Donkey has many similar characteristics to a horse such as 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 able to reach 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.
Riverview Park & Zoo
1230 Water Street, Peterborough, ON. K9J 6Z5
Ph. 705.748.9301 Fax: 705.745.6866
Behavior and Reproduction
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. Donkeys are used
as guard animals for goats and sheep against the threat of coyote attack. They are
also used to protect cows while calving. The coyote is the only natural threat to
donkeys. Donkeys therefore do not like any canines. Donkeys are very affectionate
animals and enjoy the companionship of people. Donkeys need companions or
they will become very depressed. A female donkey is called a jennet or jenny, a
male is a jack, and a baby is a foal.
Ecology and Conservation
The Sicilian Donkey according to an article dated 1995 are on the USDA livestock
conservancy list with the world’s population numbering less than 10,000.
Unfortunately they are almost extinct in the land of their origin. However their
popularity as guard animals and pets has insured that there are a good number of
Sicilian Donkeys in captivity.
Interesting Facts:
1. Donkeys were domesticated about 6,000 years ago, long before horses
2. Spanish explorers during the 1600 brought many standard donkeys to the Americas as
pack animals
3. There is a dark cross strapped across their withers. This creates the cross shape design
over their back which lore tells us was put there to symbolize the Christ child being
carried upon the donkey’s back.
Riverview Park & Zoo
1230 Water Street, Peterborough, ON. K9J 6Z5
Ph. 705.748.9301 Fax: 705.745.6866