How Long Do Donkeys Live? Interesting Animal Facts Explained For Kids

Do you know that male donkeys are called jacks, and female ones are called jennets?

Miniature donkeys i.e., the miniature Mediterranean, is a small-sized donkey breed that is born naturally. Young donkeys are often compared to horses, but they are very different from them.

Even the oldest donkeys are easier to take care of, and they require minimal care. Donkeys live longer than horses on a comparatively lesser quantity of food. They are called the beasts of burden because they can carry a lot of burden on their backs. They have been crossbred with horses to create other breeds like mule and hinny. Donkeys are considered very dumb, but they are very intelligent and loving animals. People keep them as pets because of their adorable looks. Also, donkeys are very friendly, which makes them very good pets.

After reading about the lifespan of the equine, do read about the difference between donkey and mule and how long do deer live?

Different Types Of Donkey And Their Lifespans

There are more than 50 million types of donkeys and mules (a variation of donkeys) throughout the world. The problem is they are not identified as different breeds. They are rather categorized on the basis of their physical appearance, such as coat texture, color, size.

Donkeys are named by the region in which they are found. In many regions, donkeys are only donkeys, though there are different breeds or species found at the regional level. Horses are known for their individual and particular breed. But in the case of donkeys, the breed does not matter at all. So, they have been crossbred until they found the right one according to their need.

The average lifespan of a donkey is 20-50 years. Their life span can vary according to many factors like their breed or species, the area they live in, their lifestyle. Their age can also vary according to the prosperity of the country. Donkeys in prosperous countries can live up to 30-50 years and donkeys of poorer countries can live only up to 12-15 years.

There is a type of donkey called miniature donkeys. These donkeys are small versions of the normal or standard donkeys. Miniature donkeys are cuter than the standard ones and are most popular as pets. People think that miniature donkeys live for a fewer number of years because of their small sizes. But the average age of miniature donkeys is up to 25-35 years.

Also, donkeys that are being reared by humans tend to live longer than wild donkeys. This is because in the wild they have to face adverse conditions, while in captivity they are being finely taken care of and do not have to face the threat of predators.

How long do donkeys live in captivity?

The life span of donkeys or any other animal is determined by many factors. As discussed earlier, donkeys in captivity live longer than those in the wild. Although the donkeys in captivity have to work more than the wild ones and are not treated well, they still live longer than wild donkeys because they have an easier lifestyle. The lifespan of donkeys in the wild is about 25-30 years. On average, donkeys live in captivity for about 33 years. The living conditions of a donkey also affect its age. Donkeys in captivity can also live up to 40-50 years old if treated well with care.

The longest-lived donkey was a female donkey named Suzy. Her name is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest donkey. She was 54 years old when she died in 2002, creating a new record. She only had two different owners. Generally, donkeys are owned by a number of different owners, they are being bought and sold a number of times. Suzy was born in 1949 and lived in America.

The other longest-living donkey named Bubbles. This was also a female donkey and she lived longer than Suzy. She was 60 years old in 2019, but there is no news of her death, which makes her the oldest living donkey today.

How long do donkeys live as pets?

Donkeys are normally farmed and reared for their burden carrying capacities. Humans own donkeys so that they can use them like a carriage. They are also owned for riding, but only the mammoth donkeys are used for riding because all other breeds of donkeys have very short legs, which are not fit for riding. Mammoth donkeys have tall legs and are the tallest breed of donkeys.

But some people also own donkeys as pets because of the sweet nature of the animal. Donkeys are lovable and affectionate creatures. Miniature donkeys are the most popular type of donkeys that are kept as pets. These donkeys can live up to 25-30 years and are very adorable. These are the shortest breeds of donkeys, which also makes them the smallest donkeys.

Donkeys that are kept and raised as pets are expected to live an average lifespan of about 40 years. They live longer because generally, owners take care of these pets with a lot of love. But sometimes they are not treated well by the owners, which may lead to many health issues and early death.

Though these animals do not require much attention, they should still be treated well with proper living conditions and sustenance, as if they were your pet dogs. If you do want a pet donkey, you have to take care of them just like you do for any other pet. There are a number of people who keep donkeys as pets, especially miniature donkeys.

Keeping Donkeys Healthy In A Farm

Donkeys are not very hard to raise. The farmers have to keep in mind, that they need to treat their animals well and not let them suffer, to ensure a healthy life. Donkeys can be affected by a number of diseases, the later section of this article will tell you more about the health issues concerned with donkeys.

Donkeys need a good shelter to live in. These animals do not have a good quality of fur, which can save them from rain and sunlight, like those in horses. When you are making a shelter for your donkeys, make them in such a way, which can protect them from the water of rain and the heat of sun rays.

The next thing is about feeding donkeys. A few of a donkey’s favorite foods to eat are grass, berries, and bushes in the wild. Among a donkey’s favorite things to eat are fruits. When feeding your donkeys, always remember to not overfeed them, otherwise, this can lead to obesity and a slew of other health issues. Always feed your donkey with native grasses, because too much foreign grass can lead to some health issues like laminitis, which causes inflammation in the pedal bone of the donkey. Also, avoid moldy and dusty feed.

Donkeys are animals that love to live in a herd. They need friends to play with, which makes them happy. The friends of donkeys can be other donkeys of their herd or any other farm animal like sheep or goat. Donkeys are very good companions. Donkeys will not live happily without friends and may die earlier than usual. A donkey’s companionship is extremely important to remember to ensure a healthy and happy life.

Donkeys also need some healthcare like vaccinations, and hoof and teeth trimming. These animals originated from desert areas. Donkeys do not show signs of stress very easily. You have to put extra effort to know that your animal is not happy.

Donkeys can also suffer from a number of diseases and health issues. These diseases affect the work efficiency of donkeys, so owners never want their donkeys to get sick from them.

Colic: This is not a specific disease but it refers to abdominal pain. This can be due to a number of things. Common causes include worms, partially digested food, muscle cramps, or twisted guts. This disease is identified by the history of the animal, heart rate, respiratory rate, gut sounds, pain, and some other assessments. Colic typically affects horse breeds.

Arthritis: As donkeys get old, they may have some symptoms like weight loss, limited motion, swollen joints, shabby coats, or an altered gait. These all are symptoms of arthritis. This can be because of any infection, malnutrition, injury, old age, or lack of movement.

Hyperlipaemia: This is a condition that is caused by excessive fat content in the blood of donkeys. If this is not treated in time, it can lead to liver and kidney degeneration, and in severe cases, failure of these organs. Symptoms of this issue include behavior changes like dullness or decreased appetite.

Dermatophilosis: This is a common skin problem that can be found in donkeys of wet or muddy environments. This is caused by a bacterium called Dermatophilus congolensis. This disease is called rain scald.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how long do donkeys live? Then why not take a look at how long do cows live, or donkey facts?