Did you ever wonder what a donkey eats? Or how long he lives?
Well, you're not alone. Below is a list of basic information about donkeys and
some interesting facts about our Bonaire donkeys in particular. Enjoy learning
more about these wonderful animals - the donkey.
General Information on the Equus Asinus, or the Donkey
Equus(Latin) a horse.
Asinus (Latin) an ass.
Common names for donkey on Bonaire
ezel (Dutch)
buriku (Papiamentu)
Size
Body Length: 200 cm / 6.6 ft.
Shoulder Height: 125-145 cm / 4.2-5.5 ft.
Tail Length: 42 cm / 17 in.
Weight: 275 kg / 605 lb.
Description
The short, smooth coat is a light grey to fawn colour, fading quickly to white
on the undersides and legs. There is a slender, dark dorsal stripe in all
subspecies, while in the Nubian wild ass (E. a. africanus), as well as the
domestic donkey, there is a stripe across the shoulder. On the nape of the neck
there is a stiff, upright mane, the hairs of which are tipped with black. The
ears are large with black margins. The tail terminates with a black brush. The
hooves are slender, approximately the diameter of the legs.
Reproduction
Gestation Period: 11-12 months.
Young per Birth: 1
Life Cycle Weaning: At 6-8 months.
Sexual Maturity: 2 years.
Life span
Up to 40 years.
Habits
They are primarily active in the cooler hours between late afternoon and early
morning, seeking shade and shelter amongst the scrub during the day. Swift and
sure-footed in their rough, rocky habitat, the donkey can travel as fast as 50
kmph / 30 mph. Mature males defend large territories around 23 square kilometers
in size, marking them with dung heaps - an essential marker in the flat,
monotonous terrain. Due to the size of these ranges, the dominant male cannot
exclude other males. Rather, intruders are tolerated - recognized and treated as
subordinates, and kept as far away as possible from any of the resident females.
In the presence of estrous females the males bray loudly. Despite being
primarily adapted for living in an arid climate, African wild asses are
dependent on water, and when not receiving the needed moisture from vegetation
they must drink at least once every three days. However, they can survive on a
surprisingly small amount of liquid, and have been known to drink salty or
brackish water.
One interesting behavior we have noted on Bonaire, is that dogs correctly fear
donkeys. One way locals protect their ranch animals is to also have several
donkeys to keep any stray dogs away.
Donkeys can also be a hazard to humans. Several times a year donkeys are hit by
cars while crossing roads. Donkeys like many tall but heavy animals can cause
quite a lot of damage to a car and the humans in it. Watch for donkeys near the
side of the road, particularly in the southern part of the island and during dry
season.
Lifestyle Family group
Small, unstable, mixed herds, with a top number of 49 animals.
Diet
Grasses, bark, and leaves
Donkeys at the Sanctuary
We currently have over 300 donkeys residing at the sanctuary (last updated
January 2006). Our oldest resident is 31 years old.