In yesterday’s post, I mentioned how whenever I conjure thoughts of donkeys, I simultaneously conjure thoughts of my dad, as he has never hidden his love for these creatures. I figured I should also make mention of Donkey from Shrek – I don’t really see how anyone can honestly not visualize him and hear Eddie Murphy’s voice when donkeys become a point in a conversation, and despite the age of the Shrek films, Donkey is someone I quote and reference relatively regularly.
Today, we are continuing our conversation about donkeys, and, again, this information comes from spca.bc.ca.
“5. Donkeys express emotions through facial expressions
“Non-verbal communication plays a big role in donkey behavior. Like horses, their ears, eyes, and facial muscles convey how they feel. Learning to read these subtle cues helps people care for them more effectively.
“6. Donkeys are built for resilience
“Domesticated donkeys are descendants of the African wild donkey, a critically endangered species that evolved to survive in harsh desert conditions. Their ability to cope with heat, drought, and rugged terrain makes modern donkeys remarkably resilient animals and adaptable to the Canadian climate.
“7. Donkeys protect other animals
“Donkeys are often used as ‘livestock guardians,’ protecting sheep, goats, and even cattle from predators like foxes and coyotes. Their keen senses, loud bray, and strong defensive instincts are one way farmers protect their herds from predators.
“8. Donkeys are intelligent and have a strong sense of self-preservation
“Donkeys are intelligent problem-solvers that are very observant of their surroundings. Unlike horses, they don’t immediately flee when startled, instead, they pause to evaluate the situation. Their cautious behavior often leads them to take a ‘fight’ response rather than ‘flight,’ which is why donkeys are sometimes mistaken for being stubborn.
“9. Their ears help them stay cool
“A donkey’s large ears aren’t just for hearing! Their wide surface area and network of blood vessels help release body heat, keeping them cool on warmer days.
“10. Miniature vs. mammoth donkeys
“Donkeys come in all shapes and sizes! Miniature donkeys stand just over 0.60 meters (2 feet tall) at the shoulder and are often kept as pets or used in therapy programs because of their gentle nature. At the other end, mammoth donkeys can tower up to 1.7 meters (5 feet 8 inches tall). Historically, they were used for heavy work, like hauling loads and plowing fields, due to their strength and endurance,” the web page states.
Here’s hoping we have all discovered a new love and appreciation for donkeys.
Photo by Christian Hess Araya on Unsplash
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