Wild Donkey

Description:

The donkey or ass, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals.Donkeys vary considerably in size, depending on breed and management. The height at the withers ranges from 7.3 hands (31 inches, 79 cm) to 15.3 hands (63 inches, 160 cm), and the weight from 80 to 480 kg (180 to 1,060 lb). Working donkeys in the poorest countries have a life expectancy of 12–15 years; in more prosperous countries, they may have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years.

Habitat:

Climate: The average temperature ranges between 85-90 degrees F (29-32 degrees C) from June to October, sometimes reaching the mid 90's F (35 degrees C), especially in the late summer months. From November to May the average temperature is 80-84 degrees F (27-29 degrees C). A constant trade wind typically keeps the temperature at a very comfortable level. In an average year, Grand Turk has 350 days of sunshine

Notes:

These donkeys roam freely about the island. According to one of the locals they are the desendents of donkeys that originally where used to haul carts of salt from salt drying ponds on the island to the docks back when salt was a major export.