Donkey (Equus asinus)
No. of offspring: 1-2 Donkeys in North America constitute approximately 0.1% of the worldwide donkey population. They were first brought to the New World by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century, and once arriving in Mexico in the 16th century, spread northward into what today is the United States. Some donkeys were bred in the eastern part of the continent from imported European stock. In the gold rush era of 19th century, additional numbers came to the western United States for use as pack animals and working animals in the mining industry. Some sources suggest that there are no true North American donkey breeds as such, and it is true that donkeys in Canada and the United States are classified according to their size as miniature, standard or mammoth donkeys.
- Weight: from 80 to 480 kg
- Height: appr. 7.3 to 15.3 hands high
- Diet: High fibre plant material
- Lifespan: 30-50 years
- Gestation:12 months
