One of the most common and easiest to see is hyperlipidemia. This is the buildup of large amounts of fat under the skin and in the bloodstream. While this can often be traced to overeating or a diet that is too high in protein or sugar, hyperlipidemia can also be caused by a donkey fasting and then binging on food for days at a time.
Along with hyperlipidemia, obesity in general can be a large health issue for donkeys. Diet can also lead to founder in donkeys, a condition where the coffin bone in the hoof turns and affects the sensitive laminae within the hoof capsule. This ties directly into regular hoof care. Just like any other animal, donkeys require regular health and maintenance to ensure a long and healthy life. Laminitis is a common issue with donkeys as they age or their diet fluctuates, so regular hoof care is an important part of basic health and catching any potential issues early on.
While this is preventable with a deworming routine, it shows just how much more prone to parasites donkeys can be. Another parasitic issue is Besnoitiosis. Showing up in North America as recently as , this issue is still a mystery to many practicing veterinarians. Finally, since donkeys have a long-life expectancy, common health issues are tied to old age, including arthritis. Arthritis is a common issue across all species as age increases, and donkeys are certainly no exception.
There are great long-term arthritis treatments available, however a tough, stubborn donkey may not show signs of arthritis until their pain level is very high. As with any health issue, a strong relationship with a vet and farrier can help catch and treat most health issues early on.
Donkeys spend their days resting during the hottest part of the day. They are more active during the mornings and evenings, traveling and eating with the herd. Domestic donkeys are typically used for pack animals or for milk, according to The Global Invasive Species Database. Sometimes donkeys are trained to protect other livestock from predators. They will stomp any animal they feel is a threat.
Donkeys typically like to eat grass, though they also eat shrubs and desert plants. Instead of ripping the grass right away with their teeth, donkeys grab the plant with their lips, pull it in their mouth, then rip it with their flat teeth and grind it down for swallowing.
Donkeys are voracious eaters. A donkey can consume as much as 6, lbs. This massive amount is concerning when it comes to feral donkeys. Feral donkeys can move into habitats and take food from the local animals. In addition to other donkeys, they will breed with horses and zebras.
She is quite extraordinary, and may also be the oldest donkey ever, as well as the oldest living — although the claim is somewhat complicated. Guinness World Records lists Suzy as the oldest donkey. She died at the age of 54, in Suzy lived in America and had just two different owners. An even more extraordinary challenger, Triple Crown Feed has a story on Flower the donkey, who they claim reached a full 70 years of age. That is incredible, at around double the expected life span.
The oldest donkeys in the world have notably all been female donkeys. It may be a coincidence but could indicate that jacks male donkeys are called jacks do not live as long as jennies.
The life expectancy for a donkey varies quite significantly, and it may be that one donkey breed will live longer than another. Standard donkeys live about 30 years, and so do mammoth donkeys such as the American Mammoth Donkey.
The Donkey Sanctuary says that a miniature Mediterranean donkey, which originally comes from either Sardinia or Sicily, will also live for around 30 years in captivity, sometimes a little longer. Miniature donkeys are up to 36 inches tall. It is hard to tell whether the breed makes a major difference to the lifespan of a donkey, but it may make some.
However, there are very few purebred donkeys, so most are a mix of at least a few breeds. In addition, they can be ridden and raised for show. Return to Species List. Size Miniature donkeys weigh an average of pounds kg at maturity and measure an average of inches cm high at the withers shoulders. Donkeys can go for long periods of time without drinking. They can regain all the water they lost after only 5 minutes of drinking. The tough digestive system of donkeys allows them to eat coarse vegetation that most animals would find inedible.
Because they generally live in areas where food is scarce, donkeys often spread out in order to find food and do not generally live in close proximity to other burros. They are able to communicate over long distances with their loud braying calls and large ears that are able to pick up even faint sounds. Reproduction Donkeys have a month gestation period, which is slightly longer than that of a horse.
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