A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Equus africanus asinus
This little girl is a white & gray spotted donkey. Born just a few hours ago!! She & her Mom & Dad belong to my neighbor. Dad is a white Jack. Needless to say...I was thrilled & privileged to see her!! She & Mom are doing well! The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus,[1][2] is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E. africanus. In the western United States, a small donkey is sometimes called a burro (from the Spanish word for the animal). A male donkey or ass is called a jack, a female a jenny, and offspring less than one year old, a foal (male: colt, female filly). While different species of the Equidae family can interbreed, offspring are almost always sterile. Nonetheless, horse/donkey hybrids are popular for their durability and vigor. A mule is the offspring of a jack (male donkey) and a mare (female horse). The much rarer successful mating of a male horse and a female donkey produces a hinny. Asses were first domesticated around 3000 BC,[3] approximately the same time as the horse, and have spread around the world. They continue to fill important roles in many places today and domesticated species are increasing in numbers, but the African wild ass and another relative, the Onager, are endangered. As "beasts of burden" and companions, asses and donkeys have worked together with humans for millennia.
On a farm.
Spotted on May 23, 2011
Submitted on May 23, 2011
27 Comments (1–25)
Thank you, Hema!!
too cute!
Thank you, Reza! ;)
That is adorable ♥
Hank you, Rylee, Olivia & Abigail!! ;)
love its coat
Its an adorable little thing!!!!!!
Aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww.................. So cute! : )
that is the cutest baby donkey i have ever seen :o
Thank you, Susan....and it was DEFINITELY my pleasure!!! :)
just too precious to see a new born...thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks, Emma....
Well, these particular donkeys (three of them) are actually just pets of my neighbors. But long ago, they did a lot of work on farms. They pulled carts & plows; and carried heavy things. (Now there are tractors to do that sort of work). Yes, we hear them bray all of the time. I, too, enjoy hearing them :)
precious!!
What purpose do donkeys serve on a farm here?
i would love to have one as a pet though.
A donkey brays at 3.00 everday and i just love to hear it!!
Thank you p.young & Shea....she is a complete DOLL! :)
Awwwwwww!!!!!
Very cute!
Thank you Annie! I think so too!! :)
Too cute!
Thanks, Daniele! I was too....I watched them for a long time! They both stole my heart!! :)
Thank you !!!!!!
Aaahhh, I'm melting! So precious.
Thank you Geeta! I couldn't agree more!! Wanted to pick her up & bring her home!! :)
so cute baby !!!!!!!
Thanks ceherzog & Christiane! And, Alice....no she wasn't too steady...just a few hours old at that time....Will go back to check on her today and see how she & Mama are doing! :)
It doesn't look quite steady on it's feet yet.