Domestication of Donkey (Equus asinus)

Domestic donkey is a species in Equus Genus of Equidae Family. They divide into two groups asAfrican Donkey and Asian Donkeys. African Donkeys consist from Somali Donkeys (Equus Asinus Somaliensis)and Nubian Donkeys (Equus Asinus Africanus). Asian Donkeys which are also called as Asian Semi-Donkeys areKulan (Equus hemionus) and Onager (Equus onager). Although domestic donkeys and horses are into same genusthere are some major differences as morphologically. Head and ears of donkey are proportionally longer than horseare, but mane and tail hair are shorter than horse are. Donkey has 5 loin vertebras but horse has 6 loin vertebras.Into horse species only Arabians have 5 loin vertebras. Even though horse has chestnuts (epidermal callosities)on inner surfaces of fore and hind legs; donkey has chestnuts only on forelegs. Horses neigh but donkeys have avery characteristic bray sound. Life span is about 25-35 years in donkeys. They reach up to adult body size around4-5 years of age. Gestation of donkey is about 12 months or 365-370 days. Litter size of donkeys is one colt butsometimes twin colts are possible. Donkeys can resist to hard working and life conditions.