Both horses and donkeys are domesticated and also found in wild across the world. Horses usually prefer open areas and like to travel in groups known as herds. For the last many centuries, horses are domesticated by people all over the world. They can live in all most all habitats. Horses have an excellent fight-or-flight response, possessing an excellent trait of fleeing from predators. Donkeys are also known as burros and asses.
Both donkeys and horses belong to the same family Equidae. Wild donkeys are found in Deserts and Savannas in Northern Africa, Morroco, Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and Somalia. In this tutorial let us learn about horses and donkeys in depth.
The scientific name of the horse is Equus ferus caballus. It is a one-toed, hoofed herbivorous animal belonging to the family Equidae and is one among the two extant subspecies of Equus ferus. Horses are domesticated and are widely used for transportation before the invention of vehicles because of their cursorial behaviour. The domestication of horses has taken place approximately about 6000 years ago.
Horse breeds are divided into three categories based on their temperament −
“Hot bloods” for speed
“Cold bloods” for slow and heavy work and
“Warm bloods” are crosses between hot bloods and cold bloods.
Wild horses are probably hunted for food in prehistoric times and even today products like meat, milk, bone, hair, skin and urine are derived from them for various purposes. They live together in herds and are social, strong, and intelligent animals. These animals with long hair present on the tail and mane run very fast because of their thin legs and are used for riding, agriculture, and in warfare. Depending upon the age and gender they are called as foal, yearling, colt, filly, stallions, mare and gelding (castrated stallion).
The characteristics of horses are as follows −
Horses are herbivorous animals that mainly graze on grass, herbs, plants, and vegetables.
They stay alert all the time and when identify a threat they startle and run very fast to escape from their predators.
Certain breeds, for their ability to move quickly and react instantly and for their endurance, were developed for warfare and for racing.
Their herd is always led by a dominant mare.
The wild horses live in groups for protection, security, survival, and peace.
The wild horses always move in their respective habitat in search of water and food. But, to escape from predators they move a lot.
They communicate through body language and through nickering/whinnying.
They have been found in different colours and patterns.
The horses have different breeds. The smallest breed is a miniature horse that measures under 3 feet.
While the largest breed is shires that measure approximately 6 feet.
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Horses have different coat colours ranging from black, white, grey, and more. The spot pattern is varied from one breed to another. Some breeds have leopardlike markings across the entire body while others have been spotted having patches in certain places.
Horses are lateral-eyed animals with the largest eyes in comparison to any other land mammal.
They can see nearly everything that is present around them. They have 3500 vision range with blind spots that are present behind and in front of them.
Their sense of smell is better than humans but not as good as dogs.
They can sleep both while standing and lying down.
Donkeys are also known as burros and asses. They belong to the family Equidae, a family which includes zebras and horses. Wild donkeys are found in deserts and savannas in northern Africa, Morroco, Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and Somalia. Donkeys have long floppy ears.
Donkeys are of three types wild, feral and domesticated. The wild donkeys are grown up to approximately 125 centimetres from hoofs. Depending on how they breed the domesticated donkeys are varied in size. Domesticated donkey breeds are eight different types and they are slightly smaller than the wild ones. On the other hand, domesticated donkeys are distributed all over the world but they give preference to dry warm areas.
The characteristics of donkeys are as follows −
As the donkeys also belong to the Equidae family they closely resemble zebras and horses. They are smaller than horses but some breeds of donkeys have larger ponies.
Donkey's ears are much longer and tails are covered with soft hair till the end.
They have a smooth coat with varying shades.
They are gentle and affectionate.
As they have their own set of mind it is very difficult to train them or force them to do something.
They are considered to be the stubborn ones.
They are herbivorous animals that eat a variety of food like hay, oats, grain, and grasses.
They also feed on shrubs and desert plants in certain areas.
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Burro is another name for a donkey.
It can graze throughout the day and their food is rich in fibres and low in proteins.
Female donkeys are known as Jennys, males as jacks and castrated males are called geldings.
The donkey will move a few steps away or remain in the same place when they are scared instead of running away.
Both horses and donkeys are herbivorous animals that mainly feed on grasses and plants.
They both have hoofs and both like to live in herds.
Both donkeys and horses belong to the same Equidae family.
| Horses | Donkeys |
|---|---|
| Horses are taller and much heavier than donkeys | Donkeys are shorter and weigh less in comparison to horses |
| Horses can run faster than donkeys | Donkeys cannot run as fast as horses |
| Life span is 25-30 years | Life span is 15-30 years |
| Herd animals that live with larger groups | Bond with another animal live in pair or herd |
| 62 chromosomes are present | 64 chromosomes are present |
| Run away from threats. | Stay and fight against enemies. |
Both horses and donkeys belong to the same Equidae family. They are hoofed herbivorous animals. The donkeys are of three types wild, feral and domesticated. Depending on how they breed the domesticated donkeys are varied in size. Domesticated donkey breeds are of eight different types and they are slightly smaller than the wild ones.
Q1. What is the scientific name of a donkey?
Ans. The scientific name of the donkey is Equus Africanus asinus.
Q2. Can donkeys ease stress?
Ans. Donkeys have a soft and quiet manner and they can help other animals to calm down and retrieve their confidence.
Q3. What is Jacobson’s organ?
Ans. Jacobson's organ is a unique organ that can analyze pheromones in the air. It is present in horses.
Q4. When the donkeys will act in a day?
Ans. The donkeys will be active during the early mornings and evenings, this time they travel and graze with their herd.
Q5. What is the gestation period of a female horse?
Ans. The gestation period of the female horse is 11 months.
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