How Long Do Donkeys Live? The Longest Living Donkey And More Facts

The donkey belongs to the horse family, and the name scientists gave it is Equus asinus.

This animals has descended from the donkey breed of the African wild ass. The donkey has been used as a form of transport, to pull carts and carrying heavy loads on its back since 4000 BC.

Donkeys have long been a part of the world. They can be seen in sizes that range from mammoth donkeys to miniature donkeys. The miniature donkey, also known as the Mediterranean donkey, is one that has a small stature.

This donkey is only 36 in (91.4 cm) tall. The standard donkey is larger at 31-63 in (78.7-160 cm). Mammoth donkeys can grow up to a size of 68 in (172.7 cm).

Domestic donkeys are in no way endangered, but their wild counterparts have a different conservation status. Donkeys in the wild are Critically Endangered.

Studies show that there are only 23-200 adults that are left in Africa. Similarly, Asiatic wild asses are the next on the list of donkeys that may see their numbers dwindle. Their population is now down to 28,000.

While donkeys are the distant cousins of horses, they are very different from one another. The differences are seen in their intelligence, their physique, and social needs. A donkey is a much more socially active animal than a horse.

It requires company and cannot survive as a lone animal. Similarly, horses have much larger faces, whilst donkeys have larger ears. Additionally, a horse has much larger hooves.

A donkey also reacts to danger in a completely different way to a horse. The reaction of a horse when it senses danger is to bolt.

A donkey stands its ground in order to investigate what spooked it and this has been largely responsible for its reputation as a stubborn creature. It is in fact one of the most obedient creatures known to humans.

If you like reading articles such as this one about how long do donkeys live, why not read these ones about how long do eagles live and how long do crocodiles live on Kidadl. It can be a fun learning opportunity with facts you may have never heard of before!

The Average Lifespan Of A Donkey

The average lifespan of a donkey might be surprising for a working animal such as the donkey. The average lifespan of a donkey varies depending on certain factors. How long do these animals live?

The average lifespan of donkey breeds falls somewhere between 27-40 years of age. In fact, what is most interesting about the lifespan of a donkey is that it outlives a horse by quite some years.

While the horse may be stronger and be able to run faster, the donkey takes victory in terms of longevity. With proper care, this animal can live to an age greater than 40.

The average life expectancy of donkeys is usually 34 years of age. While one would think that a miniature donkey would live for a shorter period, given its smaller physique, this is incorrect.

Miniature donkeys are seen to have an average life that is as long as that of standard donkeys. These miniature donkeys live for 25-33 years. While they maybe smaller than standard donkeys, they certainly do live as long as them.

Donkeys live in different habitats. Domesticated donkeys like to live in dry, warm areas of the world. Wild donkeys are found in the deserts and savannahs of Africa.

Wild donkeys are social creatures. They do not have strong bonds within a herd. Male donkeys are referred to as jacks.

Female donkeys are referred to as jennies or jennets. A herd will usually have one jack, and several jennies. Very rarely has it been observed within a donkey herd that there have been several males in one herd at the same time.

In cases where a small number of males do live in the herd, the additional males must be obedient to the dominant jack to keep things running smoothly. These herds regularly split up, and new members join.

A typical habit of donkeys is to rest during the hotter parts of the day, and any task or activity takes place usually in the morning or the evening. This is when the herd travels and eats.

Breeding of donkeys is fascinating because they simply do not care if they breed with different species such as horses or zebras. The offspring of a male donkey and a female horse are known as mules.

Similarly, a jenny and a male horse will breed and a hinny will be born. A zebroid is the product of a donkey and a zebra. All of these hybrids that are bred are sterile, meaning they cannot reproduce.

Donkey offspring is known as a foal. These foals are born after a gestation period of 12 months. Their strong legs enable them to stand after a mere 30 minutes from birth. Foals reach sexual maturity at the age of two years. A jenny will give birth to a new foal every year.

How long do donkeys live in captivity?

Domestic donkeys have long been part of animals that have been made use of by humans. They have been seen in Ancient Egypt. How long do they live in captivity?

The domestic donkey will live for about 33 years of age in captivity. This number varies depending on several factors.

It is true that domestic donkeys live longer as they do not face the same threats as many donkeys do in the wild, such as being hunted by other animals, extreme weather conditions, health problems that go untreated, and habitat loss.

Evidence of this is seen with the African wild ass, that is seen to have a lower life expectancy as a result of the perils it sees in the wild. Studies show that domestic donkeys from the Mediterranean islands live for about 30 years in captivity.

The main factor at play which decides how long they will live is their health. Health problems have seen donkeys die much earlier than their normal life expectancy.

Living in captivity does not always mean that a donkey will go on to live to old age. They do face threats in captivity too. Domesticated donkeys are largely used for work.

This opens them to the threat of being mistreated. Some of the work they are used for is protecting livestock, such as sheep. If they sense an animal is a threat, they stampede over it.

How long do donkeys live as pets?

Donkeys are also bred to be kept as pets. While it may seem a tad strange, these animals have been domesticated for centuries and make good pets, if taken care of. How long do they live as pets?

The answer to that question depends on several factors. A donkey's lifespan in captivity as a pet can go up to 40 years. Donkey health problems may hinder this and reduce it significantly. However, if the donkey is relatively stress free, it can easily live to its full life expectancy.

There are some things that might keep your pet donkey happier. Donkeys are social animals, so companionship is very crucial to them. Providing your pet donkey with companions makes them feel content and social.

It is important to remember that these companions should be an animal that is their size, or companionship will result in injuries while interacting with another animal that is bigger, such as horses.

If chosen correctly, companion animals essentially sustain a donkey. It has been observed that after losing a companion, the health of a donkey rapidly deteriorates.

A fun fact about the social strength of a donkey is that miniature donkeys were once taken to visit nursing homes, and studies show that these animals had a positive impact on the people there!

Secondly, it is important their food and diet is maintained. With adequate food that is low in sugar, a donkey will receive all its nutrition.

Make sure to include plenty of water in their diet. In case you feel your donkey needs special attention in terms of its food and diet, consult your veterinarian. It is important that you do not overfeed your donkey, as obesity is one of the leading health problems seen in donkeys.

It is extremely important to keep a watchful eye on their health, as well as maintain hygiene in their surroundings. Keep a look out for symptoms for diseases such as arthritis, that is also a sign of old age. A donkey, being more stubborn that any other animal, may only show signs of arthritis when it becomes extremely painful.

How old is the oldest living donkey?

We have discussed plenty about how long donkeys live, in the wild, in captivity, and as pets, but what is the oldest living donkey in the world?

The oldest donkey in the world is Bubbles, who is at the age of 62 years of age. She lives on a farm in the UK, and has been living there after arriving in the '90s.

Bubbles, like other donkeys, is very social and loves to interact with people that visit her. She has become a friendly figure, and continues to smash the record of the oldest living donkey.

Before Bubbles, the record was held by a donkey who lived in New Mexico. Her name was Suzy, and she died at the age of 54.

Suzy was born about 10 years before Bubbles, in 1949. The most interesting fact about a donkey's age is understood when it is compared to human years. One donkey year is equal to three human years.

This means that Bubbles is 186 years old in human years. It is incredible the longevity of a donkey's life, considering that the donkey is treated as a sign of low intelligence.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked reading how long do donkeys live then why not take a look at how long do foxes live or mule facts.