To this day donkeys are required to carry heavy loads, for riding and pulling. Compared to horses they are better suited to work in a difficult terrain because of their calmness. They do not run away when there is danger and when e.g. when facing dangerous bridges. This caution was ignored by the ancient Greeks. The donkeys were assumed to be stupid.
Category: Mammal
Stem type: African wild ass 6000 years ago
Weight: ♂ 180-230 kg; ♀ 150-200 kg
Withers height: ♂ bis 110 cm; ♀ bis 100 cm
gestation period: 360-370 days
feed: grass, herbs, foliage
Power: load, riding, draft animal, patient, tough, good-natured character, frugal feed claims; 1 foal a year
